OPTEL                         -2-                             No. 229
 
     RUSSIA. South-East of Vyazma, the Russians have made further 
progress towards the town, In the Donets Sector Russian attacks are 
continuing.
 
3. AIR OPERATIONS
 
     WESTERN FRONT. 31st. A Hudson bombed a 3,500 ton freighter
in convoy off Holland. Two hits were followed by smoke from amidships. 
31st January/lst February. 131 aircraft were sent out - Brest 72, St. 
Nazairc 31, Havre 14, leaflets 13. Five bombers are missing. Results were 
mainly unobserved owing to heavy cloud. 12 P.C.A.F. aircraft participated 
without casualties.
 
     LIBYA. 29th/30th. Wellingtons and Liberators bombed enemy
supply columns in the Aghcila-Jedabya Area. Aircraft attacked military ob-
jectives at Misurata and mechanical transport parks south of Tripoli (L). 
They also hit an 8,000 ton merchant vessel north of Tripoli and a 4,000 ton 
ship off Cape Bon. Both vessels were left stationary and listing.
 
     MALTA. On the 30th and 31st. Enemy aircraft caused slight
damage at Hal Far aerodrome which, with Takali water-logged, remains 
unserviceable. Dockyard property was also damaged.
 
     MALAYA. 30th. Enemy aircraft bombed the docks area at Singapore, 
and on 31st Seletar aerodrome was attacked by 27 heavy bombers. Some 
buildings were destroyed and the aerodrome is stillunserviceable. 0ur 
fighters destroyed four enemy aircraft, probably destroyed one and 
damagce one. Two of our fighters are missing.
 
ONI DISTRIBUTION: NAV AIDE
 
THIS DESPATCH IS NOT TO BE  DUPLICATED WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE 
DIRECTION OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
 
                        RETAIN OR DESTROY