-2-
 
      
 
 
that he may have intended either (A) to make a reconnaissance 
      in Force, (B) to launch a sudden attack
 
      aimed at breaking through to TOBRUK, or (C) to entice our armoured 
      forces out of supporting range of
 
      the GAOALA position and attack them under conditions favourable 
      to himself. His unexpected
 
      withdrawal before his columns had become heavily engaged is however, 
      difficult to explain. In any 
 
      event there seems little doubt that whatever his object may have 
      been he failed to achieve it. Owing to
 
      the demolitions carried out prior to our withdrawal the enmy 
      is still unable to use port of DERNA, 
 
      while the R.A.F. are concentrating on interfering with his traffic 
      through BENGHAOI. His administrative
 
      difficulties are, therefore, likely to be considerable. The Western 
      Desert Railway has now been 
 
      extended as far as CAPUOOO. 
 
      Numerous reports have been received of Italian reinforcements 
      in LIBYA and it is likely that part at 
 
      least of the 133rd Armoured Division has arrived at TRIPOLI.
 
      
BURMA.
 A second Chinese Division is believed to have entered 
      BURMA and others are moving 
 
      Westwards towards the Frontier. It is stated that Japanese reinforcements 
      are moving north in SIAM
 
      towards the SHAN border.
 
      
FAR EAST.
 It is believed that there are now 29 Jap Divisions 
      in the General Area of the SOUTH
 
      CHINA SEAS and PACIFIC ISLANDS. Of these, it is thought that 
      seven Divisions are available for 
 
      fresh operations and that a further two could probably be spared 
      from MALAYA at a later date if
 
      required.
 
      
RUSSIA.
 No change in the general situation. Fighting has 
      continued on most of the front but in no area
 
      does either side seem to have made any substantial gains. This 
      is no doubt still due to the severe weather,
 
      deep snow and thaw both producing extremely difficult conditions 
      on different parts of the front.
 
      
 
      
 
 
3. 
AIR OPERATIONS
 
      WEST %ERN FRONT.
 Bomber Command operated on five nights but 
      met heavy cloud on every occasion, 
 
      287 tons of bombs were dropped. Harassing raids by single aircraft 
      roving over wide areas were 
 
      carried out. It is estimated that upwards of 4,400 tons of enemy 
      shipping was sunk or seriously damaged
 
      by our aircraft.
 
      
MEDITERRANEAN.
 
LIBYA
. Our fighters had a most successful 
      encounter with about thirty enemy 
 
      aircraft which were supporting the advance of their armoured 
      columns on 14th.
 
      
MALTA.
 Total of about 430 enemy aircraft took part in 
      attacks mainly directed against aerodromes. 
 
      Our fighters were again much handicapped by the unserviceability 
      of the aerodromes.
 
      
RUSSIA.
 There have been no important changes in the air 
      situation.