Copy No. 11 OPTEL No. 47 Following is supplementary resume of operational events coving the period 11th - 18th December, 1941. (I) NAVAL An Italian battlefleet was at sea covering convoys to North Africa. British and Russia submarines had several successes in the Mediterranean and in Northern waters. A Canadian destroyer suffered considerable damage from heavy weather South of ICELAND on 14th. There was little U-boat activity during the period and the general trend of submarine movements to the Mediterranean seem to have continued. A number have passed Gibraltar and there are indications that several may have turned back after having been attacked and damaged. The Japanese losses in the Far East are believed to be one battleship sunk and two damaged in addition to casualties to light craft and transports. Shipping losses have been light although little information from the Far East of Mercantile losses has yet been received. It is known that some British ships have been seized by the Japanese who claim to have captured 120,000 gross tons. TRADE. During the week ending 17th December 998 ships were convoyed. Imports into the U.K. during the week ending 13th December totalled 1,043,000 tons and included 350,000 tons of tanker imports. (II) MILITARY LIBYA. The enemy forces now much disorganized and consisting of the remnants of the 3 armoured divisions, 2 Italian motorised divisions, and not much more than 2 Italian Infantry Divisions, have retreated Westwards from the DERNA-MEKILI line towards BENGHAOI, where defensive works are reported to be in course of construction. The task of the British Forces is to create confusion among the enemy's troops and prevent him rallying, though the extension of our lines of communication is presenting administrative difficulties in pressing home our advantage. For the enemy also the supply question is acute, and even if fresh convoys succeed in reaching him through BENGHAOI h %e is likely to have difficulty in stabilising fresh defensive positions East of that town. JAPAN. The gravity of the situation in MALALA is mainly due to the fact that the enemy, already some 4 divisions in strength with at least 150 tanks, is able to disembark reinforcements in Southern SIAM (chiefly at SINGORA and PATANI) unhindered from the air. In the whole Far Eastern theatre the enemy has at present the great advantage of being able to move his forces in comparative |