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62. German Air Force penetration in the guise of a mission to the Roumanian Air Force, has proceeded for some months. It is probable that more than 200 operational aircraft are now located in Roumania.

Italy.

63. The Italians appear to be moving the greater part of their remaining bomber aircraft from the Eastern to the Western Sector of Libya. This move coincides with indications that the Libyan Air Command and the Headquarters of the 5th Air Corps are to be transferred westwards to Tripoli. The recent arrival of 50 Italian fighters at Castel Benito, Tripoli, from Italy has also been reported. It is not known whether these aircraft are intended to strengthen the defences at Tripoli or if they are to be moved eastwards to take part in the forthcoming struggle for Benghazi.

Greece.

64. It appears probable that German aircraft have recently repeatedly flown over Greek fortifications on the Bulgarian frontier.

China.

65. It is reported that damage done to the Mekong Bridge, on the Burma Road, by Japanese aircraft on the 19th January, was completely repaired and the bridge opened for all traffic within a few days. Although the spasmodic nature of Japanese attacks on this vital Chinese target may be in part due to weather conditions, it is probable that the Japanese now realise their inability to interrupt the route by bombing.

HOME SECURITY SITUATION.

General.

By Day,

66. There has been less enemy activity this week than at any time since intensive raids began last autumn. No serious incident occurred till the 25th January, when seven people were killed at Yarmouth. On the 27th January some damage was done to Messrs. Vickers Armstrongs Naval Yard at High Walker, near Newcastle, and to a Ministry of Aircraft Production factory at Grantham, where fifteen people were killed. On the 28th January bombs were dropped in many places east of a line Humber-Test and in thirteen London Boroughs. No serious damage was done and only one fatal casualty has been reported. On the 29th single aircraft dropped bombs in the London area and at Stockton-on-Tees without doing serious damage.

By Night.

67. Night raiding has been on a very small scale and on five nights of the week no bombs were dropped. On the night of the 25th/26th damage was done by Parachute Mines at St. Ives, Cornwall, and at St. Eval aerodrome, where some R.A.F. personnel were killed.

68. On the night of the 29th/30th activity was more widespread and bombs were dropped in Essex, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey. One block of buildings at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, was badly damaged; four Cadets were killed and eleven injured.

69. In London seventeen incidents were reported, twelve of which were in the Eastern part of the county. No serious damage was caused and, apart from one incident at West Ham, where 20 people were injured, casualties were few.

Casualties.

70. Estimated casualties are 55 killed and 180 injured.

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APPENDIX I.

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