Copy No. 11 OPTEL No. 53 Information received up to 7 a.m., 28th December, 1941. (I) NAVAL A small Spanish merchant vessel has been intercepted in the Atlantic and is being sent into GIBRALTAR. During an unsuccessful attack by enemy aircraft upon an East-coast convoy yesterday evening, one of the aircraft was shot down by gunfire from the escort ships. (II) MILITARY LIBYA. On the evening of the 26th the main German Force, with possibly some Italians, was in position around JEDABYA, where it was being harassed by one of our Armoured Brigades. The enemy artillery in this area is reported to include eight 105 mm guns, some 88 mm, and anti-tank guns, and possibly some dug-in tanks. Our forces are closing in on JEDABAYA from the North East and South. Although facilitating the withdrawal of the Italians, the German stand at JEDABAYA may give us the opportunity to get behind and destroy them. Wireless silence prevents us knowing exact position of our outflanking force. MALAYA . The situation is materially unchanged, although severe casualties are believed to have been inflicted upon the enemy in local counter-attacks. Slight contact has been made on the River PERAK, where the enemy is preparing bridges and rafts. RUSSIA. The Russians are advancing on a broad front West and South West of TULA, and are also exerting heavy pressure on the Germans east of KURSK and in the DONETS area. (III) AIR OPERATIONS WESTERN FRONT. 27th. A total of 22 aircraft were despatched to the Norwegian Coast to attack gun positions near STADLAND, and aerodrome north east of BERGEN and shipping off EGERSUND. At the aerodrome, many hits were made on the runways, a merchant vessel was sunk off EGERSUND and near misses were scored on another. Eight of our aircraft are missing. 27th/28th. 206 aircraft were sent out - DUSSELDORF 132, BOULOGNE 34, BREST 29, a Dutch aerodrome 6, sea mining 5, seven are missing an %d one crashed on return. Only ten aircraft operated against this country. MEDITERRANEAN. LIBYA. 26 Blenheims attacked mechanical transport on the road west of JEDABAYA, and others from MALTA bombed two 1,500 ton merchant vessels in OOUARA Harbour, one of which blew up. 26th/27th. Wellingtons |