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small, so that, in all, appreciable progress has been made towards disarming the population. It is probable that 6,000 to 7,000 rifles still remain at large. While complete disarmament is unlikely to be achieved, reduction by another 3,000 to 4,000 is considered to be sufficient for all practical purposes. Steady pressure, fear of penalties and the present success in their collection are encouraging surrenders of illegal arms, but villages will always endeavour to conceal a "safety " reserve, while the large floating stock of arms in the Middle East outside Palestine is a potential source of replenishment in time of trouble.
India.
23. On the 23rd February a military reconnaissance party in cars was ambushed in the Ahmadzai Salient within 4 miles of Bannu and sustained casualties of three killed and three wounded. This is only one of a series of similar incidents during the last few months.
Military operations began on the 22nd February and, so far as the two columns engaged are concerned, progress is satisfactory and road construction has commenced. The tribesmen, however, achieved a distinct local success on the night of the 24th-25th February when they ambushed a patrol of 60 Frontier Constabulary, which suffered losses of 15 killed, 14 wounded, 3 missing and 32 rifles lost. This success will undoubtedly encourage the tribesmen and its effect is likely to increase and stiffen opposition to the military operations.
Far East.
24. A small Japanese force has been landed near the southern extremity of Hainan Island. Its purpose would seem to be to mop-up the district, which adjoins an area stated to be intended for development as a permanent Japanese base.
Reports have been received that the Japanese propose to reoccupy positions near the border of the Leased Territory at Hong Kong. These reports suggest that Japanese-controlled puppet troops will be used. It is possible that the object. of the move-should it be undertaken-is to tighten up frontier surveillance and to curtail Chinese smuggling activities.
AIR SITUATION.
Royal Air Force Operations.
Bomber Command.
Reconnaissances over Germany.
25. Aircraft of Bomber Command made numerous night and day reconnais- sances over Germany during the week. All flights combined leaflet dropping with reconnaissance. During these operations our aircraft flew over Prague, Vienna, Cuxhaven, Hanover, Berlin, Hamburg, Kiel and Bremen.
Reports state that the black-out of German areas were generally effective, but that Prague and Vienna were illuminated and that lights were not extinguished during the aircraft's flight over these cities. Considerable anti-aircraft fire was experienced from the Heligoland and Ruhr areas, but little from the rest of Germany. On only one occasion did enemy fighters approach our aircraft and they made no attack.
One Wellington aircraft lost its bearings and flew over Holland on the 23rd. It eventually landed in Belgium owing to lack of petrol. With this exception all aircraft on the above flights returned safely.
26. On five days Blenheim aircraft attempted to reconnoitre enemy naval bases by day in north-west Germany. On only one of these occasions were con- ditions suitable and our aircraft able to reach and photograph their objective. This was the base at Heligoland, and the photographs disclosed the presence of only one destroyer. The aircraft employed on this task was attacked by five enemy fighters. It was slightly damaged before gaining the cover of clouds. On the 27th February a Blenheim failed to return-the only casualty on these operations.
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