OPTEL No. 43
 
      Information received up to 7 A.M, 5th February, 1942. 
 
      
 
 
1. 
NAVAL
 
      3rd/4th, H.M. Destroyer ATHERSTONE in company with a Polish destroyer 
      engaged two laden 
 
      eastbound ships off the CHANNEL ISLANDS and left them sinking. 
      A photographic reconnaissance 
 
      of BREST on the 4th showed the PRINO EUGEN entering the roadstead, 
      the pilot of the aircraft 
 
      reported seeing two other large ships with the PRINO EUGEN, but 
      these were not covered by the 
 
      photograph, H.H. submarine P. 36 torpedoed a merchant vessel 
      of about 5,000 tons off TRIPOLI 
 
      (L) on the 24th. A small Panamanian merchant ship was torpedoed 
      on the 4th south of DELAWARE 
 
      BAY and is reported sinking.
 
      
 
 
2. 
MILITARY
 
      LIBYA
. Enemy infantry attacked our troops in the TMIMI area 
      on the afternoon of the 3rd and 
 
      were repulsed. We are now holding positions between GAOALA and 
      the TRIGH EL ABD with armoured 
 
      patrols covering the front.
 
      
SINGAPORE
. On the 4th the enemy shelled the naval base 
      and SEMBAWANG aerodrome but caused no 
 
      damage. Our artillery engaged targets in JOHORE BAHRU.
 
      
BURMA
. Japanese forces on the BURMA front are now estimated 
      at one division in the MOULMEIN-
 
      MESOD area, one division further north with headquarters at CHIENG-MAI, 
      and one division with 
 
      tank units, in reserve centred on BANGKOK, with probably detachments 
      on the TAVOY COAST.
 
      
NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES
. There are indications that the 
      Japanese are planning to occupy 
 
      aerodromes in the PALEMBANG area in SUMATRA.
 
      
 
 
3.
AIR OPERATIONS
 
      LIBYA
. 3rd. Hurricanes attacked considerable eastbound traffic 
      on roads west of DERNA and east 
 
      of MARTUBA causing many casualties.
 
      
SICILY
. 4th. Blenheims attacked railway communications 
      near PALERMO. 3 are missing and another 
 
      crashed on return.
 
      
MALTA
. During enemy raids on aerodromes between the 2nd 
      and 4th, one Hurricane was destroyed on 
 
      the ground and serious damage was caused to buildings at TAKALI 
      aerodrome where big craters 
 
      were caused.
 
      A second attack on KALAFRANA caused negligible damage. Our fighters, 
      three of which are 
 
      missing, damaged 4 enemy raiders and A.A. fire damaged a fifth.
 
 %      
MALAYA
. SINGAPORE was raided several times on the 4th 
      but most of the bombs fell in the sea. 
 
      Two enemy aircraft were probably destroyed and two others damaged 
      by A.A. fire.