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Malta.
58. During the week reconnaissances were made of the harbours at Naples, Palermo, Cagliari, Trapani, Taranto and Tripoli; of the main aerodromes in Sicily; and of the Ionian Sea.
59. A small formation of enemy aircraft approached the Island on the 7th January, but retired before they could be intercepted.
Sudan and East Africa.
60. Our activity in this area has been on an increased scale. Enemy camps on the Sudan-Abyssinia frontier were attacked on several occasions, and the aerodrome at Gubba was successfully attacked three times. Stores, dumps and military buildings were bombed at Berbera and Hargeisha in British Somaliland. At Gundile, in Southern Abyssinia, a quantity of ammunition was successfully dropped to friendly tribesmen.
61. Our attacks on Eritrean targets have been maintained. Massawa was attacked on three occasions and bombs fell near the submarine moorings and a destroyer.
62. Four Hurricanes of the South African Air Force machine-gunned the aerodrome at Bardera in Italian Somaliland. One aircraft was destroyed on the ground and two more were damaged. Three enemy fighters managed to approach our formation unseen and two Hurricanes were shot down.
In addition, several reconnaissances were made, and convoy escorts were provided over the Red Sea.
Air Intelligence.
Italy.
63. There are firm indications of the arrival of units of the German Air Force in Italy. For some time past German transport aircraft have been flying between Sicily and the Mainland, presumably transporting advanced parties, and it is possible that it is intended to operate these units from Sicily. The Italians are reported to be making every endeavour to increase the aerodrome accommodation at Rhodes.
Bulgaria.
64. A report, hitherto unconfirmed, but believed correct, states that three German aircraft, believed to be M.E. 110s, have recently been operating from Plovdiv, engaged on a photographic survey of the Greek-Bulgarian frontier.
65. The Germans have installed seventeen observation posts equipped with radio across Northern Bulgaria from the North-Western corner to the Black Sea. The arrival of anti-aircraft units is also reported.
Japan.
It is learned that in recent months Japanese vessels have brought petrol, oil, tyres and M/T to ports in Italian Somaliland.
General.
HOME SECURITY SITUATION.
67. Weather conditions by day on the 5th, 6th and 7th January enabled the enemy to resume harassing tactics with single aircraft. On the 7th January, during the most extensive daylight raiding that we have known for some weeks, London was raided intermittently for 3 hours, and bombs were dropped in fifteen districts. On the same day many incidents were reported from East
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