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Italy.
6
MILITARY SITUATION.
19. Italian military activity has, for the most part, been concerned with the finding of reinforcements for Albania. There have been reports that certain formations were destined for Libya, but no arrivals have been reported of fresh troops at Tripoli.
Balkan States.
Bulgaria.
20. Almost all reports from Bulgaria this week have referred either to the feverish repairs which are being carried out on roads and bridges in various parts of the country and the special arrangements which have come into force on the railways, or to the mobilisation of the Bulgarian Army. The 1920 class has been called up.
There is now no doubt about the mobilisation of the 1st and 9th Divisions and the Railway Regiment, and it is certain that the 1st Division is being sent to the Turkish frontier. The Bulgarians intend to build up a strength of 80,000 men on this frontier, and it is thought that this is being done at the request of Germany.
The weather remains fine and above freezing point in the Sofia and Plovdic areas, while the Black Sea Coast is enjoying warm weather. Little snow is now left below 4,000 feet. The main roads are dry, and secondary roads are passable for normal traffic.
The Danube is now clear of ice.
Roumania.
21. The total number of German divisions in Roumania is now estimated to be 22 or 23, of which four are armoured, two or three motorised and two mountain divisions.
Africa.
Libya.
22. Following a lightning advance our troops succeeded in cutting off the enemy line of retreat which resulted in the capitulation of Benghazi on the 6th February. The enemy attempted to break out and made a persistent attack with over 100 tanks, but these were repulsed with heavy losses, including 60 of the latter. The full number of prisoners has not yet been ascertained, but it is understood that they have surrendered in large numbers, and include an Army Commander, a Corps Commander and many other senior officers. Quantities of war material of all descriptions have also been captured.
On the 8th February our patrols occupied Agheila.
23. Now that the whole of northern Cirenaica is in our hands, nothing remains between our forces and the fertile regions of northern Tripolitania except the long, waterless and inhospitable tracts of the Sirte desert. This in itself, however, is such a formidable obstacle as to represent a very good defence for the remainder of Marshal Graziani's army, now estimated at 70,000.
Sudan.
24. In Eritrea the enemy is still holding a position 4 miles West of Keren, where he is being engaged by our troops. Enemy deserters on this front now total 400. On the 8th February our forces reached a position 40 miles South of Keren.
In the North we have occupied Karora and Mersa Taclai.
East Africa.
25. In Northern Kenya we have made considerable inroads into enemy territory, and have occupied Kunchurro (50 miles North-East of Dukana).
In Italian Somaliland our advance troops have gained touch with the enemy at Afmadu (160 miles South-East of Wajir and 75 miles inside Italian territory). The present locations of the Italian forces in Italian East Africa are obscure, as withdrawal is taking place from all the western and south-western
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