0PTEL No. 17
Information received
up to 7 a.m., 14th January 1942.
One of H.M. submarines
set on fire and sank a 2,000 ton merchant vessel in ballast in
the Eastern Nedtterranean on January 2nd, Australian Hudson aircraft
attacked a Japanese cruiser and transport off the CELEBES Islands
and claimed two probable and two possible hits. One medium sized
ship of an outward bound convoy was sunk in the Western Approaches.
In East Coast convoys one medium sized ship was sunk and one
medium sized ship damaged by enemy aircraft.
2.
MILITARY
LIBYA.
SIOE="-1" FACE="Courier New"> By the evening of the 12th, contact
had been made with the enemy in the neighborhood of EL BREGA.
Further South our forces have come against prepared enemy infantry
and gun positions roughly along the track from BUES SUERA -BEIDLEIBAT
- MAATEN GIOFER. There is much movement of enemy N.T. west of
BURRUEA with which our armoured cars are already in touch. The
number of prisoners captured at SOLLUM is given as 7 0fficers;
315 Other Ranks of whom approximately half are German.
MALAYA.
SIOE="-1" FACE="Courier New"> It now appears that the Japanese
have not followed up our withdrawal beyond KUALA LUMPUR. 9 Japanese
dressed as Malays were captured in South East JOHORE. The Commander
A.I.F. has assumed command of a force to be known as West Force
comprising one Australian Infantry Brigade Group anemone Indian
Infantry Brigade Group. An important convoy reached SINGAPORE
on the 13th.
BORNEO.
SIOE="-1" FACE="Courier New"> There has been an engagement between
Indian troops and Japanese %forces near the SARAUAK-DUTCH BORNEO
border. No details yet available. At TARAKAN the Dutch forces
have surrendered after heavy fighting, the oil denial scheme
having been completed.
RUSSIA.
SIOE="-1" FACE="Courier New"> There is now some confirmation
that the Russians have tsku: LYUDINOVO on the VYASMA-BRYANSK
railway, German counter attacks in the area South of KURSK is
continuing.
3.
AIR OPERATIONS
MEITERRANEAN. LIBYA.
SIOE="-1" FACE="Courier New"> Night 11/12. TRIPOLI, HONS and
military targets near SIRTE were attacked by 8 Wellington and
a Liberator. Enemy aircraft damaged an Ordnance Depot at TO
12th. HALFAYA was bombed
at intervals throughout the day. Night 12/13th. TRIPOLI was bombed
by 5 Wellington.
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