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Africa.
Libya.
37. The number of prisoners taken at Tobruk has not been definitely ascertained but is known to include four generals and one admiral. The war material captured includes 150,000 gallons of petrol. Our casualties for the operations against Tobruk, previously reported as under 500, are now estimated at under 300.
38. Following the capture of Tobruk, our armoured troops advanced towards Derna and on the 24th January were in touch with an enemy force astride the Bomba-Derna road, 10 miles South-East of Derna. Derna was captured on the morning of the 30th January.
Sudan.
39. In the Kassala sector the Northern column of our forces has captured Biscio and is now pushing on towards Agordat. On the evening of the 25th January they were attacked by an enemy force which included 5 tanks. The attack was repulsed with considerable loss to the enemy.
Our Southern column has now reached a point 2 miles North of Barentu.
40. In the Gallabat sector the enemy have evacuated their position 3 miles N.E. of the town of Gallabat and our forces are preparing to dislodge them from their new position. Our forward positions have been attacked from the air, but the damage caused was negligible.
East Africa.
41. Patrol activity continues along the frontier between Kenya and Italian Somaliland and our troops have reached the landing ground at British Moyale.
Far East.
42. As a result of a Japanese offer of mediation in the Thailand-Indo- China hostilities, which has been accepted by both the French and the Thai Governments, an armistice was ordered to take effect from 1000 hours the 28th January, but it is not yet definite that hostilities have finally ceased.
43. The Japanese have not offered their services for love of the Thais-or of the French-and it is probable that they will require certain concessions from both sides. There has recently been an increase of Japanese naval activity in the South China Seas, and this suggests that the Japanese will be ready to support demands with a show of force. Should the Japanese, as a result of these demands, succeed in establishing themselves in the southern ports of Indo-China--such as Camranh Bay or Ream-the threat to Singapore and Malaya will be increased to the extent that the Japanese will have control of advanced sea bases within approximately 650 miles of Singapore and Borneo.
General Review.
AIR SITUATION.
44. Operations in Europe were restricted by extremely bad weather. Our bombing operations were cancelled on four nights and those of the enemy on five nights. Our main attacks were on Hanover and Wilhelmshaven.
In Africa our aircraft gave support to our successful land operations on all fronts. German aircraft have been in action in Libya, but enemy air formations are apparently being moved from Cyrenaica to Tripoli.
Operational aircraft casualties and extracts from recent Raid Assessment Reports are given in Appendices VI and VII.
Germany and Occupied Territory.
45. Unfavourable weather conditions again persisted. Bomber Command flew three day and 59 night sorties, supported by two day and six night sorties by Coastal aircraft.
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