OPTEL No. 68
 
      Information received up to 7 A.M., 26th February, 1942.
 
      
 
 
1. 
NAVAL
 
      During air attacks on TANJONG PRIOK HARBOUR (JAVA) on 24th and 
      25th one of H.M. Ships was slightly damaged by near misses and 
      another suffered some casualties. 22nd. A Dutch steamer (6,500 
      tons) and a small British steamer were sunk off TOBRUK. 24th. 
      A Panamanian steamer (4,500 tons) struck a mine off NEW CALEDONIA 
      and has been beached.
 
      
 
 
2. 
MILITARY
 
      LIBYA.
 During night 23rd/24th a South African patrol inflicted 
      25 casualties on the enemy about 6 miles southeast of TMIMI without 
      suffering any casualties. 25th. Sand storms hampered all operations.
 
      
BURMA.
 Further reports indicate that on 22nd February 
      48 Brigade reached the Bridgehead at MOKPALIN on the SITTANG 
      RIVER whilst the remainder of 17 Division were 12 miles further 
      east. Heavy attacks were made on the Bridgehead by one Japanese 
      Division and some penetration was made. Another division attacked 
      our troops further east. We, however, remained in control of 
      the Bridgehead and throughout the night a number of troops from 
      the forward area were passed through. At first light on 23rd 
      the Bridgehead was abandoned and the bridge blown to avoid it 
      falling into enemy hands. Some of the units left east of the 
      river were known to be intact on 24th and it is hoped that parties 
      will be able to fight their way out and cross the SITTANG by 
      ferry further north.
 
      
 
 
3. 
AIR OPERATIONS
 
      WESTERN FRONT.
 25th. Our fighters damaged a dredger and a 
      1,000 ton merchant vessel at OEEBRUGGE. 25th/26th. 104 aircraft 
      were sent out. KIEL floating dock. 61 Chemical factories ODDE 
      area (NORWAY) 21; sea-mining 19; Leaflets PARIS/LILLE, 3; 3 of 
      our aircraft are missing.
 
      
LIBYA.
 23rd/24th. Wellingtons dropped 23 tons of bombs 
      at MARTUBA and DERNA landing grounds which were illuminated by 
      flares from naval Albacores. 2 Wellingtons are missing. 24th/25th. 
      Wellingtons attacked shipping % in TRIPOLI (L) HARBOUR, bursts 
      being observed on Spanish Quay and at the base of the mole.
 
      
MALTA.
 24th and night 24th/25th. Enemy aircraft bombed 
      the island but caused no damage.
 
      
BURMA.
 22nd and 23rd. Bombers attacked enemy positions 
      in the KYAIKTO and SITTANG areas whilst fighters destroyed an 
      enemy fighter and a reconnaissance aircraft. 25th. Blenheims 
      bombed and sank two river steamers loaded with Japanese troops 
      in the SALWEEN ESTUARY.