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69. Enemy aircraft approached the Island on several occasion during the week. On the 9th January, six out of twelve fighters, which flew over the Island, attacked Luqa aerodrome, and damaged three Wellingtons. Six Hurricanes on patrol shot down four of the attacking aircraft and a fifth was destroyed by A.A. fire. The attack on the dockyard on the 16th is reported in the Naval Situation.
Sudan and East Africa.
At
70. Normal activity has been maintained in this area during the week. Massawa, Asmara and Mai Adaga in Eritrea were heavily attacked. Massawa, searchlights which have only recently been installed, hampered the pilots' estimation of the damage. At Asmara and Mai Adaga fires were started in the workshops. Assab and Diredawa were also attacked and hits were registered on stores, warehouses and military buildings.
71. On the Sudan-Abyssinian frontier, several attacks were made on troop concentrations, and on the 9th January six of our aircraft dive-bombed the landing ground at Javello and destroyed two enemy aircraft. Reconnaissances were flown over Abyssinia, and propaganda leaflets were dropped in many districts.
72. In Italian Somaliland several enemy troop positions were bombed and machine-gunned.
In addition, several reconnaissances were flown in this area and fighter escorts provided for convoys.
Air Intelligence.
Italy.
73. Reports of the move of units of the German Air Force to Sicily have been confirmed by recent attacks on our naval forces in the Central Mediterranean. The present strength of the force is estimated to be about 60 to 80 aircraft and comprises long-range bombers and dive-bombers. The ultimate strength of the German Contingent may amount to 250-300 aircraft.
Roumania.
74. German Air Force penetration into Roumania has been proceeding for some months and recently a number of flying units have arrived. Their strength now amounts to 250-300 aircraft of all types, the majority being single engined fighters and Army co-operation aircraft. The projected strength may reach a total of 600 aircraft of all types.
75. The German occupation is taking on a permanent or long-term appearance and the scale of preparations indicates that they will be sufficiently advanced for major operations to start before the beginning of March.
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HOME SECURITY SITUATION.
General.
By Day.
76. Daylight raiding has been unusually slight. On three days no bombs were dropped. There were a few casualties at Ramsgate on the 11th January. The only incident reported from Scotland by day or night was on the 15th January, when bombs fell near Fort William by day, doing no damage.
By Night.
77. No bombs were dropped on the night of the 14th/15th January. The remaining nights have all been the occasions of major attacks, although on the nights the 9th/10th and 15th/16th January there were no concentrated raids on any particular objective. There was a noticeable increase in the proportion of H.E. included in the initial fire-raising attacks and, although many fires were started, the prompt action of the civil defence services and public in getting them under control was a marked feature.
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