Information received up
to 7 a.m., 20th January 1942.
1.
NAVAL
The troopship torpedoed
in BAY OF BISCAY referred to in my has now arrived at the AOORES.
Two of H.M. destroyers were in collision while leaving ALEXANDRIA
during a gale on the 16/17th. One of them will be out of action
for about four weeks. A Norwegian 6,600 ton vessel after breaking
off with engine and steering defects, from a MALTA convoy was
bombed and sunk off TOBRUK while returning to ALEXANDRIA escorted
by an anti-aircraft cruiser and 2 destroyers which took off about
350 survivors. A small Belgian ship in an outward convoy has
been torpedoed 400 miles East of CAPE RACE. A small British ship
in a coastal convoy has been sunk in collision off the East coast.
More than 25,000 tons of shipping are reported aground off the
west coast of SCOTLAND as the result of the recent gale
LIBYA.
SIOE="-1" FACE="Courier New"> The enemy are continuing work
on their defenses East of AGHEILA. On the 18th, a total of 257
Italians were captured by an Indian Brigade and the Polish Brigade
in the BARCE and CYRENE areas respectively.
MALAYA.
SIOE="-1" FACE="Courier New"> 18th. Right. Our detachments withdrew
from ENDAU to a locality halfway between this town and MER
Center. No change in GEMAS
area.
Left. Fighting continued
throughout the day in the MUAR area. One Australian Battalion
destroyed 8 enemy light tanks. We hold BAKRI, 6 miles south east
of MUAR, where situation reported in hand. No change at BATU
PAHAT and no enemy located south of this point.
BURMA.
SIOE="-1" FACE="Courier New"> Owing to a Japanese advance in
superior numbers our forces have withdrawn from TAVOY to more
favorable positions.
RUSSIA.
SIOE="-1" FACE="Courier New"> The Russian attacks west and north
west of MOSCOW have made some progress. They are also attacking
south of KURSK and south east of KHARKOV. In the CRIMEA, the
German counter attack in the FREODOSIA area has gained some
3. AIR OPERATIONS.
WESTERN FRONT. 19th. Our fighters destroyed a German bomber off
the YORKSHIRE Coast.
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