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to be used for traffic between the islands or along the coast, which is normally conducted by caique. They are more probably intended for landing purposes, possibly as part of long-term preparations for an eventual invasion of Turkey. They are said to be able to carry 1,000 men.
Yugoslavia.
45. Press reports state that open warfare and sabotage are increasing along the Dalmatian coast, noticeably in the Split area. Resistance is said to be strong in the mountains of Montenegro, where Italian aerial bombing has had little effect, and it is believed that the Germans are being forced to intervene in an effort to restore order in territory nominally occupied by the Italians. Though German control has again been generally established in Serbia, disturbances still
continue.
Roumania.
46. The rise in the level of the lower Danube, owing to heavy rainfall, indicates that the river is unlikely to freeze early this winter.
Far East.
47. Should the talks between the United States and Japan break down, and should the Japanese decide on military action, present indications suggest that their first step would be to occupy Thailand, with a view to acquiring air bases in the southern part of the Kra Isthmus, and thus be in a better position, if necessary, to threaten Malaya. Such a move would be a natural precautionary step to any later action against the oilfields in Borneo.
Malaya.
Two field regiments armed with 25-pdrs. have arrived in Malaya. Volunteer forces in Malaya were mobilised on the 1st December.
General Review.
AIR SITUATION.
49. Bad weather prevailed throughout most of the week and, with the exception of night attacks on Hamburg, Düsseldorf and Emden, no major operations were carried out by Bomber Command. Our aircraft effectively attacked enemy convoys between the coast of Norway and Channel ports.
50. In Libya our aircraft have dominated the battle area, and provided close support for our ground forces. Successful attacks have been made on aerodromes, and on enemy shipping in the Central Mediterranean.
Germany and Occupied Territory.
Day.
51. Apart from anti-shipping operations (see "Coastal Operations") there is nothing to report.
Night.
52. Bomber Command, taking advantage of the only two nights when operations were possible, carried out a heavy attack on Hamburg and raided Düsseldorf and Emden on a lighter scale.
53. A total of 344 sorties were despatched (compared with 258 last week); 396 tons of H.E. bombs (including 19 of 4,000 lbs.) were dropped, and nearly 25,000 incendiaries. During the remainder of the week bad weather at home and on the Continent prevented further operations.
54. One hundred and twenty-two aircraft released 160 tons of H.E. bombs and 8,900 incendiaries on Hamburg. Detailed observation was hampered by searchlight dazzle and ground haze. Numerous fires, however, were reported near Berliner Thor, Altona and Altendorf railway stations, in the Rotherbaum district, on the Blohm and Voss shipyards and in the dock area.
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