OPTEL No. 58
 
      Following is supplementary resume of operational events covering 
      the period 5th-12th February 
 
      1942. 
 
      
 
 
1. 
NAVAL.
 
      Slightly fewer U-Boats were operating in the North Atlantic, 
      most of them are concentrated off 
 
      the American Seaboard from Cape Race to Charleston. Others have 
      been reported North-East of 
 
      Bermuda and in the North-Western Approaches. Two or three are 
      operating between the Cape Verde 
 
      Islands and Freetown. Shipping losses, primarily due to U-boats, 
      were moderate. During 
 
      January, shipping losses, so far reported, amounted to 70 ships 
      totalling 340,055 tons. Most 
 
      of them occurred off the Eastern Seaboard of North America, where 
      31 ships of approximately 
 
      195,000 tons were sunk. The majority of losses due to air attack 
      took place in the Far East. 
 
      Casualties due to marine risk were heavy. During the week ending 
      11th February, 1066 ships 
 
      were convoyed, of which only one was lost. Imports into the United 
      Kingdom by ships in convoy 
 
      during the week ending 7th February amounted to 729,000 tons, 
      including 201,000 tons of oil 
 
      imports.
 
      During the past six weeks, supplies have been reaching Libya 
      fairly steadily and without 
 
      appreciable casualties. Benghazi is not yet in use as a supply 
      base.
 
      
 
 
2. 
MILITARY.
 
      Libya.
 
      The enemy is apparently trying to establish a series of strong 
      points extending for some 17 
 
      miles Southwards from the Coastal road between Gazala and Tmimi. 
      His object appears to be to 
 
      prevent observation of his movements West of that line. No doubt 
      Rommel is concentrating upon 
 
      the redisposition of his forces and the development of his lines 
      of communication.
 
      
Far East.
 
      Recent identifications suggest that two divisions have been withdrawn 
      from Manchukuo, and two 
 
      divisions from North China to reinforce the Japanese Forces in 
      the Southern theatre of 
      operations. It is estimated that the Japanese have now available 
      four divisions in transports, 
 
      one of these being at present employed in the operation in Southern 
      Sumatra. A further four 
 
      divisions are also immediately available in the South China Seas 
      Area if required. In 
 
      addition, ten