BRITISH MOST SECRET 
 
      (U.S. SECRET)
 
      
 
 
OPTEL No. 61
 
      Information received up to 7 A.M., 20th February, 1942.
 
      
 
 
1. 
NAVAL
 
      E-boats were active off the East Coast last night and one of 
      H. M. destroyers and the escorts of a south
 
      bound convoy report sinking two off YARMOUTH. Other E-boats were 
      suspected of minelaying off
 
      SUFFOLK. TIRPITO was sighted under weigh in TRONDHEIM FJORD yesterday. 
      The French Battle
 
      Cruiser DUNKERQUE accompanied by destroyers was reported to have 
      left ORAN for an unknown 
 
      destination on 19th.
 
      Reference OPTEL No. 55, this 8,000 ton vessel reported torpedoed 
      has reached port safely.
 
      
 
 
2. 
MILITARY
 
      LIBYA.
 On the evening of the 18th our patrols engaged small 
      parties of enemy infantry and artillery on
 
      the coast road between GAOALA and TMIMI, otherwise nothing to 
      report.
 
      
BURMA.
 Heavy fighting continues on the BILIN Line with 
      the enemy continually attempting to envelop
 
      our left flank while increasing his pressure on the right. Constant 
      counter attacks have been put in and 
 
      our troops though tired have succeeded in keeping their main 
      positions intact. Fighting has been of an 
 
      extremely fierce character and casualties are heavy on both sides.
 
      
NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES.
 BALI: The Japanese began landing 
      on the South side of the Island on 
 
      the 19th.
 
      
 
 
3. 
AIR OPERATIONS
 
      WESTERN FRONT.
 19th/20th. Eight aircraft were sent on a roving 
      commission over North-West 
 
      GERMANY and seven others to drop leaflets in the PARIS-LILLE 
      area. All returned safely. At dusk
 
      19th five Defiants intercepted enemy aircraft attacking a convoy 
      off CROMER. One enemy bomber was
 
      destroyed and four others damaged. The convoy was unharmed.
 
      
BURMA.
 18th. Blenheims and Lysanders with fighter escort 
      made three attacks on enemy troop
 
      positions in the BILIN area.
 
      
 
 
4. It is reported th %at the French Vichy Government has agreed 
      to German demands that 120,000 tons of
 
      Allied shipping lying in French ports should be requisitioned 
      and used under the French Flag for
 
      French Flag for transporting supplies to the Axis forces in LIBYA.
 
      
 
 
5. There are now clear indications that arrangements are being 
      made to send blockage runners from
 
      European waters to the Far East. Cargoes in which JAPAN is showing 
      particular interest include
 
      machinery for steel works plant for coke ovens, precision instruments, 
      etc.