-2-
 
      26th/27th. 10 aircraft were plotted, two of which crossed the 
      Cornish coast.
 
      
 
 
MEDITERRANEAN. LIBYA.
 24th/25th. 15 Wellingtons (of 
      which one is missing) bombed and machine-gunned small groups 
      of M.T. near EL AGHEILA. Little traffic was observed.
 
      
 
 
25th. Hurricanes machine-gunned a concentration of M.T., armoured 
      fighting vehicles and artillery nine miles to the south east 
      of JEDABYA. One of our aircraft was shot down by A.A. fire but 
      the pilot is safe.
 
      
 
 
MALTA.
 25th/26th. Hostile aircraft dropped bombs on 
      the island without causing damage, one enemy aircraft was probably 
      destroyed by ground defences.
 
      
 
 
26th. Two attacks made. The first was driven off but the second 
      resulted in the destruction on LUQA aerodrome of six of our aircraft 
      and damage to five more. One enemy aircraft was probably destroyed 
      by A.A. fire.
 
      
 
 
FAR EAST. MALAYA.
 25th. Enemy aircraft were active 
      in attacking railway communications at SEGAMAT (95 miles north 
      west of SINGAPORE). One enemy bomber shot down by A.A. fire at 
      PORT SWETTENHAM. Air reconnaissance reported 34 transports off 
      SINGORA. 68 aircraft at SINGORA and 33 at PATANI numerous aircraft 
      at SUNGEI PATANI aerodrome.
 
      
 
 
BURMA
. Military sources report that on 25th a further 
      raid on RANGOON and on MINNALODON aerodrome was carried out by 
      54 Japanese bombers escorted by 30 fighters. Comparatively little 
      damage was done and more than 20 enemy aircraft were shot down. 
      Our losses 6 aircraft (including two of the American Volunteer 
      Group) and two more were destroyed on the ground. Further report 
      of raid on 23rd gave latest casualty figures as 1,000 killed 
      and 700 injured.
 
      SARAWAK AND BORNEO. 25th. SINKAWANG (NORTH BORNEO) aerodrome 
      was heavily bombed and rendered temporarily unserviceable.
 
      
 
 
26th. Air reconnaissance reports one large cruiser, one destroyer, 
      four transports (one burning) and a number of barges off KUCHING. 
      No land operations were observed.
 
      
 
 
( %IV) 
INTELLIGENCE
 
      CHINA. A Japanese force of approximately four divisions is reported 
      to have moved to attack CHANGSHA in CENTRAL CHINA on 23rd December.
 
      
 
 
(V) JAPANESE TACTICS.
 
      G.O.C. MALAYA describes the Japanese forces in Northern MALAYA 
      as a highly trained army of gangsters equipped with a high proportion 
      of tommy guns and mortars and employing all kinds of ruses in 
      an attempt to lower the morale of our troops.