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The United States authorities do not intend at present to interfere with Vichy ships operating between the Antilles and the United States, South America. or North Africa.

There are four Vichy passenger ships, totalling some 34,000 tons, immobilised. in Buenos Aires. One of these, the Aurigny (9,589 tons), is reported to have caught fire.

The Vichy authorities have been warned that, in consequence of the situation in the Far East, ships encountered by British or Allied navies in the Gulf of Siam and the China Sea may be sunk unless they can prove that they are sailing with the special permission of the Allied authorities.

MILITARY SITUATION.

(An outline map showing Axis operations against Russia is included in this Résumé as an inset.)

Russo-German Campaign.

Leningrad Sector.

16. The Russians have resumed operations east of Leningrad and south of Tikhvin.

Central Sector.

17. North of Moscow the Russians have retaken Kalinin and Klin. The German withdrawal in the latter sector was under heavy pressure, and severe casualties were suffered. West of Moscow the Russians have made a further advance to the areas of Volokolamsk and Rusa. The Germans, whose first withdrawal in this sector was to conform with a rearward movement further North, are now being pressed hard. South of Moscow the Russians have continued. their advance south-west of Aleksin and south-east of Tula. In the latter area the Germans suffered heavy casualties. Strong Russian pressure continues in the area between Yefremov and Tim.

Ukraine.

18. The Russians are also attacking in the Donets Basin, but the results are not yet known. There is no change in the position on the River Mius or at Taganrog.

Crimea.

19. Sevastopol is holding firm against an attack by six divisions, mostly Roumanian. It is probable that, unless this attack achieves early success, the enemy forces in the Crimea will go into winter quarters. There is no change at Kerch.

Conclusions.

20. There has been no slackening in the Russian counter-offensive, which extends along nearly the whole of the Central sector from Kalinin to Tim. Pressure is also being applied in the Leningrad area and in the Donets Basin. The initiative remains with the Russians and there seems no immediate prospect of the Germans stabilising their front.

Libya.

21. Last week's Résumé covered the period up to the 17th December, on which day the Axis forces withdrew from the Gazala position. General Ritchie's immediate object was then to prevent the enemy from forming a fresh front on the line Mekili-Derna. This object was achieved with conspicuous success.

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