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running south-westwards to the Hungarian frontier has been repaired and widened.
The Slovakian railway system is also said to have been improved, both by constructing a new line southwards into Hungary and also by the abolition of level crossings and the doubling of tracks.
The result of these activities will no doubt improve communications hereto- fore inadequate and would facilitate the movement of German troops southwards from southern Poland, and also south-eastwards from the Protectorate through Hungary to Roumania, a necessary preliminary to any possible German campaign in the Balkans.
In view of the possibility of a German advance into, or through, Bulgaria it is of interest to note that the River Danube on the Bulgarian frontier does not freeze solid in a normal winter. Blocks of floating ice, however, make it very dangerous for any craft, including ferries, to make use of the river.
The Balkan States.
Severe weather conditions, as well as stubborn Italian resistance, continues to slow up operations in Albania. Nevertheless the Greeks still hold the initiative and are steadily ousting the Italians from their positions. In the Central Sector they have advanced from 3 to 5 kms., occupying heights and villages during mopping up operations.
In the coastal area they have advanced further towards Valona and have taken heights some 10 kilom. N.W. of Himara. A number of prisoners and some material has been captured in this area.
Although the Italians have reinforced their garrison in Albania, there is as yet no indication that they are contemplating, or will be able, to make a definite stand against the Greek advance, although the latter has necessarily slowed down.
Bulgaria.
23.
Though certain military circles are pro-German, the majority of the rank and file of the Army is against any form of military adventure; so much so, that on at least one occasion disaffection among the troops has amounted to open mutiny. Seven or eight hundred men were involved, and it is likely that the recent large-scale demobilizations have been due as much to difficulties of this nature as to any political reason.
Troops on the Turkish frontier are being thinned out and certain divisions are returning to their normal peace stations.
Turkey.
24. A considerable concentration of troops is reliably reported in the Bodrum-Milas area, and it is probable that a new division has been formed here. It will probably be numbered 19th, and will form part of the Mountain Corps, which the Turks have proposed to form in the area opposite the Dodecanese.
Africa.
Egypt.
25. Bardia remains surrounded by British forces.
Sollum has been bombed and shelled on several occasions, but little interference with the work of landing supplies has been caused.
Patrol activity has taken place in the Jarabub area to the south and our troops occupied a post evacuated by the enemy 20 miles S.W. of Jarabub on the 27th December.
Prisoners taken during the operations are now estimated at 40,000. The whole of W.S. 4 has now arrived at Suez. The units in this convoy
included:-
2nd Armoured Division.
One Australian brigade group (comprising one infantry brigade, one field regiment, one A/Tank regiment).
One medium regiment, R.A.
Two Light A.A. regiments, R.A. One S/L regiment.
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