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The Far East.
Thailand.
73. On the 21st, our fighters destroyed seven enemy bombers on the aerodrome at Prachuab Kirikhund, 150 miles south of Bangkok, and machine- gunned the aerodrome at Huahin, 100 miles south of Bangkok.
Burma.
74. On the 23rd, enemy aircraft bombed Rangoon for the first time, starting several fires in the town. Ten enemy aircraft are believed to have been shot down.
Malay States.
75. Our aircraft continued their daily reconnaissances of the coastal and battle areas, and provided escorts for naval units.
76. On the 23rd, our aircraft attacked Sungei Patani Aerodrome, but results were unobserved owing to poor visibility.
77.
During the week, enemy aircraft made several raids on Ipoh. A petrol dump and an ammunition dump were destroyed, and the aerodrome was slightly damaged. Kuala Lumpur Aerodrome was attacked on the 21st by 13 enemy bombers escorted by ten fighters, and on the 22nd by 18 aircraft, but only slight damage was caused to the aerodrome. Two enemy aircraft were destroyed, and one was probably destroyed. We lost four fighters, but three pilots are safe.
Borneo.
78.
Our aircraft and those of the Netherlands East Indies carried out reconnaissances of the north and west coasts of Borneo and of the islands off the coasts.
79. On the 18th, six Glenn Martins attacked Japanese naval forces off Miri, scoring a hit and a near miss on a cruiser, and two near misses on a large transport vessel, thought to be an aircraft (or seaplane) carrier. A Glenn Martin and an enemy aircraft were shot down. On the 24th five Blenheims bombed an enemy force off Kuching, in Sarawak. One direct hit was obtained on the stern of a transport vessel.
80. On the 19th the enemy continuously bombed Pontianak on the west coast of Borneo. The town was considerably damaged. On the same day 15 aircraft bombed Kuching Aerodrome, where a petrol store was set on fire. Singkawang Aerodrome was heavily attacked on the 23rd. The aerodrome was rendered unserviceable, but no aircraft were destroyed.
Hong Kong.
81. Throughout the 18th, the Island was subjected to heavy bombing. Government buildings, army barracks, telephone communications and oil installations were seriously damaged.
General.
HOME SECURITY SITUATION.
82. A few bombs were dropped on two days and five nights of the week in coastal districts of North-East, East and South-East England, with a few incidents in South-West England and the West Coast of Wales.
Some damage was done to property but no important incident has been reported.
Casualties.
83. Estimated civilian casualties for the week ending 0600, the 24th December, are one killed and six seriously injured.
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