OPTEL No. 44 
  
 
      Information received up to 7 A.M., 6th February, 1942.
 
      
 
 
1. 
NAVAL
 
 
      One of H.M. Corvettes, escorting an outward convoy, was torpedoed 
      on night 5th/6th North West 
 
      of IRELAND, 39 survivors have been picked up. An enemy aircraft 
      was destroyed by a small 
 
      British merchant ship off the HUMBER yesterday. Aircraft attacks 
      on shipping off SINGAPORE on 
 
      the 2nd and 3rd results in four ships, totalling about 25,000 
      tons and including one tanker, 
 
      being set on fire. One of them had to be abandoned and another 
      beached. In addition, a small 
 
      ship was sunk. A 5,O00 ton British ship, on convoy to RUSSIA, 
      is overdue and must be 
 
      considered lost. 
 
      
 
 
2. 
MILITARY
 
      LIBYA
. 5th. There was slight enemy movement eastwards along 
      road from DERNA and CARMUSA and in 
 
      the area midway between TMIMI and MEKILI. 
 
      
SINGAPORE
. Exchanges of artillery fire continue.
 
      
BURMA
. 4th. Situation generally satisfactory. Enemy activity 
      at PAAN is increasing. Our troops 
 
      in this area are now west of the River SALWEEN. Several parties 
      of our troops which were cut 
 
      off at MOULMEIN have now rejoined. 
 
      
 
 
3. 
AIR OPERATIONS
 
      LIBYA
. On the 3rd/4th and 4th enemy mechanical transport 
      was bombed and machine gunned on the 
 
      BENGHAOI-BARCE Read and in the MARTUPT area. On the 4th/5th, 
      seven Wellingtons attacked a 
 
      mechanical transport park south of TRIPOLI starting many fires 
      which developed into a large 
 
      blaze.
 
      
MALTA
. 5th. 88 enemy fighters and bombers operated, their 
      chief objective being delivery 
 
      aircraft.
 
      
BURMA
. 4th. 12 bombers, escorted by 15 fighters, attacked 
      TOUNGO0 aerodrome and damaged one 
 
      Blenheim and three Lysanders. Two Hurricanes were also slightly 
      damaged. Two of our Blenheims 
 
      bombed PAAN.
 
      
SINGAPORE
. 3rd. Civilian casualties 22 killed. 4th. Our 
      troops and patrol craft in % the 
 
      northern part of the island were dive bombed and shipping south 
      east of SINGAPORE was 
 
      attacked. On the 5th, enemy bombing caused considerable damage 
      to civilian property in various 
 
      districts.
 
      
PACIFIC AREA
. 3rd/4th. Five R.A.A.F. Catalinas attacked 
      shipping at RABAUL. One large vessel 
 
      was probably hit. 4th. Enemy flying boats attacked PORT MORESBY 
      and damaged the power station 
 
      and telephone systems.