OPTEL No. 50
 
      
Information received up to 7 A.M., llth: February, 1942.
 
      
 
 
1. 
NAVAL
 
      
9th. H.M.S. LA0MEDON (Boom Carrier) was torpedoed by U-boat 
      45 miles south-east of CEYLON and
 
      has been taken in tow.
 
      10th. A small British merchant ship was damaged by aircraft off 
      north coast of CORNWALL. 10th.
 
      A large British tanker reported torpedoed 270 miles north-west 
      of BERMUDA.
 
      
 
 
2. 
MILITARY
 
      SINGAPORE
. Northern Front: Several barges carrying enemy 
      troops were sunk in JOHORE STRAIT.
 
      9th/10th. Further Japanese landings took place just west of the 
      JOHORE Causeway. Our artillery
 
      supported by mortars and machine-gun fire, maintained harassing 
      fire on the Causeway (16 out of
 
      18 in enemy working party killed).
 
      Western Front: Strong enemy pressure, supported by artillery 
      fire, dive-bombing and machinegun
 
      fire, has caused a general withdrawal to a line running just 
      West of the JOHORE BAHRU-
 
      SINGAPORE road as far south as BUKIT TIMAH thence south-west 
      to SUNGEI PADAN, with some
 
      infiltration reported towards BUONA VISTA. A counter-attack to 
      regain the line SUNGEI KRANJI-
 
      SUNGEI JURONG reported in progress and first piece successfully 
      completed.
 
      
BURMA
. An enemy pattrol reported to have reached the MARTABAN-THATON 
      road.
 
      
NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES
. 10th. Japanese troops landed 
      at MACASSAR. Prepared demolitions carried
 
      out and resistance continues.
 
      
NEW BRITAIN
. 8th. Japanese troops landed at GASMATA.
 
      
RUSSIA
. Fighting continues in the ROHEV and DONETS Sectors. 
      No information regarding progress.
 
      Situation CRIMEA unchanged.
 
      
 
 
3. 
AIR OPERATIONS
 
      WESTERN FRONT
. 10th. Two R.C.A.F. Squadrons took part in 
      fighter sweeps. No casualties. 
 
      10th/11th. Aircraft was despatched as follows: BREMEN 55, BREST 
      20, EMDEN 3. No reports available. 
 
      Three enemy aircraft flew over CORNWALL, where no incidents repor %ted, 
      and one over 
 
      TWEEDMOUTH, where a few people were injured and some houses damaged.
 
      
LIBYA
. 9th. Our fighters carried out sweeps in the GAOALA 
      Area and shot down two enemy bombers. 
 
      Enemy aircraft bombed MERSA MATRUH and landing grounds at EL 
      ADEM and GAMBUT where one of our 
 
      aircraft was destroyed on the ground and three damaged.