Text Version


                                                            
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
Information received up 
                  to 7 A.M. 24th January, 1942.             
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                            1.                              
                           NAVAL.                           
                                                            
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
Aircraft reconnaissance 
      on 23rd showed the TIRPITO at Trondheim. A small Norwegian vessel 
      was torpedoed off Christmas Island on the 20th and has been abandoned. 
n 21st a medium sized Greek vessel yeas sunk by mine off Sin
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                             2.                             
                         MILITARY.                          
                                                            
 
                              Libya.                        
 
      By the evening of the 22nd enemy columns, estimated total strength 
      about 8,000 men and 90 tanks, were advancing North and North 
      East from Jedabya. Our troops have taken up positions South East, 
                   East and North of the town.              
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                                                            
                          Malaya.                           
                                                            
                                                            
                   SIOE="-1" FACE="Courier New">            
 
      Situation 4.30 P.M. 23rd. Right. No change. Mersing area still 
      held. Center. Our forces were withdrawn South of Labis, where 
      they were in contact with enemy including tanks. Left. Our forces 
      who were cut off have not yet been able to extricate themselves. 
      Pressure in the Batu Pahat Area has increased. The Japanese Guards 
      Division has been identified on the Muar Front. About 400 Australians 
      and many Indian troops returned from Muar Force after very bitter 
                            fighting.                       
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                                                            
                           Burma.                           
                                                            
                                                            
                   SIOE="-1" FACE="Courier New">            
 
      Demolition of Mergui Aerodrome has been completed and our withdrawal 
      continues. More army personnel from Tavoy have arrived at Ye. 
      East of Moulmein our forces are withdrawing but are not being 
                             pressed.                       
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                                                            
                          Russia.                           
                                                            
                                                            
                   SIOE="-1" FACE="Courier New">            
 
      The Russian converging movement towards Vyasma is making progress 
           both from the North and from the South East.     
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                     3. AIR OPERATIONS                      
 
                          WESTERN FRONT                     
 
      22nd %. 1,000 ton enemy ship was hit by R.C.A.F. Hudson. 22nd/23rd. 
      Munster. 65 tons. Good weather conditions. Large fires were started 
      in the term and bombs straddled the railway station. 4 R.A.A.F. 
                      aircraft participated.                
 
                                                            
 
      22nd. A Squadron of Blenheims inflicted heavy damage on 400 closely 
      parked H.T. South East of Agheila. Kittyhawks engaged 30 dive 
      bombers, escorted by fighters, destroying 3 enemy aircraft and 
             damaging 7. Two Kittyhawks are missing.        
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
22nd/23rd. Wellington dropped 
      over 10 tons bombs on Tripoli (L) harbor. A naval vessel and 
                 a probable A. A. ship were hit.            
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                                                            
                           Malta.                           
                                                            
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
22nd/23rd and 23rd. A total 
      of 83 enemy aircraft attacked, causing slight damage to ships 
      in the harbor and to Halfar aerodrome. Two enemy aircraft were 
                     damaged by our filters.                
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