Copy No. 11 OPTEL No. 50 Information received up to 7 a.m., 25th, December, 1941. (I) NAVAL HONG KONG. One of H.M. Gun Boats was sunk by dive-bombing on the 21st. (II) MILITARY LIBYA. Our troops captured BENINA and REGIMA on the afternoon of the 23rd and occupied BENGHAOI on the morning of the 24th. On the evening of the 23rd 74th Indian Division occupied BARCE after overcoming some resistance about five miles to the East. Our operations in SOLUK area and the occupation of BENGHAOI seem to have separated the German and Italian forces and little fight is left in the latter. Further South on the afternoon of the 23rd a fairly large German force, after making a determined stand at ANTELAT, was withdrawing South West having suffered much damage and a heavy loss of vehicles. Strong columns have been directed upon JEDABYA and steps taken to cut the road between JEDABYA and EL AGHEILA. MALAYA. 24th. PERAK. No ground contact. Our forward troops were dive bombed constantly during 23rd/24th and on 24th bombing was haphazard and few casualties resulted. Other sectors nothing to report. SARAWAK . Large enemy concentrations off SADONG and landings being attempted. KUCHING aerodrome denied and all denial schemes completed 24th. HONG KONG. On the afternoon of the 24th fighting was continuing with undiminished intensity along the same line as previous night. A slight enemy penetration in the central sector towards MOUNT CAMERON was being contained by our troops. Enemy bombardment of our positions from aircraft mortars and artillery of all calibres continues. Position substantially unchanged. (III) AIR OPERATIONS 23rd/24th. BREST. 72 tons of H.E. were dropped and bursts were seen across the docks but the smoke screen prevented detailed observation. COLOGNE. 60 tons of H.E. and over 6,000 incendiaries were dropped on the estimated position of the town ov %er which heavy cloud conditions were met. 13 R.C.A.F. and 7 R.N.O.A.F. aircraft took part in the night's operations. One New Oealand aircraft crashed, one killed and five injured. 24th. The large tanker, attacked and probably hit by an Australian Sunderland, was again picked up by a Sunderland and was steaming at about 12 |