Information received up to 11 A .M. 4th January 1942. 1. NAVAL. Two small British merchant vessels in coastal convoy were sunk by mine yesterday off Harwich. The British tsnker reported on 1st as torpedoed has now s 2. MILITARY. Libya. The fall of Bardia resulted in the capture of about 5,000 prisoners and the liberation of some 1,150 of our own men including 650 New Oealanders. Only two officers were found the remainder having been previously evacuated by the enemy by sea. Our casualties for the whole operation were about 60 killed and 300 wounded. In the forward area there have been three minor engagements resulting in the destruction of five more enemy tanks and some mechanical transport. Ground patrols operating to the west have destroyed a total of 29 enemy aircraft on the ground at two landing grounds in the Nofilia area between E1 Agheila and Sirte. Malaya. Patrol activity is reported in the area north and east of Kuantan aerodrome. The enemy are being harassed by our artillery. Three attacks on our forces in the Kampar area were repulsed. Enemy casualties are estimated at 4 - 500 killed. The enemy is developing their threat from the Perak and Bernam Rivers. An attempted landing at Kuala Selangor was repulsed, one small steamer was set on fire and four barges sunk. The remainder of the force withdrew to the north Russia. The Russians are continuing to advance south-west of Moscow. They are also now exerting pressure in the Kurskca Kharkov area. % 3. AIR OPERATIONS. Western Front. 2nd/3rd. 40 tons of high explosives were dropped at Brest and 16 tons at St. Nazaire. 8 R.C.A.F., 14 R.A.A.F. and 5 R.N.O.A.F. aircraft took part operations were spoilt by heavy cloud and were not very satisfactory. The mine laying aircraft carried out their task successfull |