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47. Sollum was the only objective of Italian bombers during the week and was attacked on several occasions but, except for some slight damage in one attack, without effect.

Sudan and East Africa.

48. Our offensive operations have continued in the Sudan and East Africa. Enemy camps on the Sudan-Abyssinia frontier have been repeatedly attacked by bombs and machine-gun fire. The camp and aerodrome at Gubba were twice attacked and an aircraft on the ground probably destroyed. Direct hits were observed on an enemy post guarding a telephone line near Kassala. On the 1st January three Hardy aircraft attacked enemy positions fifty miles north-east of Kassala, destroying four lorries and starting a large fire.

49. Transport and supply dumps at Assab have twice been attacked by aircraft from Aden and a repair shop at Dessie damaged. Fighters have patrolled Aden and have flown many convoy escorts and anti-submarine patrols over the Red Sea. Bombing of the Quteibis has continued.

50. On the Kenya-Abyssinia frontier and in Somaliland the South African Air Force has maintained offensive reconnaissances.

51. Italian air activity has been negligible. El Wak was attacked on the 29th, but it was not then occupied by our troops.

Air Intelligence.

Italy.

52. It is becoming increasingly evident that Italian aircraft resources are being taxed to the fullest extent.

The heavy bombing attacks on Adriatic ports have forced the Italians to rely more and more on air transport. All civil aircraft have been withdrawn from their normal traffic for this purpose and the presence of several German troop carriers is a further indication of the serious efforts which are being made to ensure supplies and reinforcements for the Albanian expeditionary force, and to maintain communications between Italy's various theatres of war.

It is also reliably reported that, owing to the necessity of sending air rein- forcements to Libya almost continuously since the opening of the British offensive, the Italian Air Staff are becoming apprehensive with regard to the aircraft position, particularly in respect of fighters.

General.

HOME SECURITY SITUATION.

53. By day, the only incidents of note occurred when a single enemy aircraft did some damage at Thornycroft's Woolston Works and in the Docks at Southampton and again when damage and several casualties were inflicted at the Rolls Royce Works at Crewe, also by a single enemy machine.

By night the most important attack was that delivered against London, mainly in the City, on the night 29th/30th December when a very large number of incendiary bombs were dropped, and serious and extensive fires-numbering in all nearly 1,500-were started in the City and the Docks area.

In the City the fire at one period extended over half a square mile and in the Minories area over quarter of a square mile.

Damage.

London. (29th/30th December.)

54. (a) Docks.-The actual working of the docks was interfered with in three cases-Surrey Commercial, Millwall and London Docks. The most con- siderable damage was, however, to warehouses and sheds, with their inflammable contents.

(b) Railways.-Services were suspended at Waterloo, Charing Cross, Fenchurch Street, Broad Street and Cannon Street and sixteen underground stations were closed. By 0800 on the 31st December 40 per cent. services were

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