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57. Enemy activity has been on a small scale. The only concentrated attack was made on a Royal Air Force aerodrome at Giarabub, by a force of 36 Bombers and fighters; one Blenheim was destroyed and five others damaged and petrol stores were set on fire; one Me. 110 and one Ju. 88 were shot down. On the 19th November 3 Me. 109Fs. attacked one of our forward landing grounds and destroyed two Hurricanes on the ground and shot down a Tomahawk, the pilot of which is safe.

Russia.

German Air Force Operations against Russia.

58. Operations by day on the Moscow front continue generally at a low level, but long-range bombers have operated consistently by night. So far as is known, raids in the Moscow area have been on a small scale and of a harassing

nature.

59. There has been considerably greater activity in the Black Sea area in connection with the Crimean operations, long-range bombers and torpedo- carrying aircraft being engaged in heavy attacks on Sebastopol and the Russian fleet and shipping in the harbour.

Although the Germans claim to have occupied Kerch, the fact remains that they first reached the Perekop Isthmus two months ago when their first attack on the Russian defences failed. The delay thus caused is of some importance, not only for the time it has given the Russians to organise their air force in Caucasia, but also for the reason that a certain period must yet elapse before long-range bomber units can be established at the Crimea aerodromes, and their operational value will be restricted by the shortening hours of daylight and the approach of winter conditions.

60. The withdrawal of a number of units to Central Germany has been in progress recently, and up to date it is estimated that 400-500 long-range bombers have been moved back for reforming. Several weeks must elapse before these units can again become operational, and there is reason to suppose that part at least will return to the Western Front.

General.

HOME SECURITY SITUATION.

61. Bombing on land, which was light and scattered, has again been confined to Coastal Areas principally in the East and South-East together with the South- Western districts of England and Wales.

62. By day incidents took place on the 12th, 14th, 15th and 16th November. A few bombs were dropped on each night of the week, except on the 16th/17th November.

Damage.

63. On the 15th November, Dorman Long and Company's Iron Works at Redcar were hit and the gas cleansing plant of the blast furnaces was put out of action, causing some loss of production of pig iron. Apart from this incident, the damage done was mainly confined to private property. Utility services and railway communications were only slightly affected.

Casualties.

64. Casualties for the week ending 0600 on the 19th November, 1941, are estimated at 21 killed and 28 seriously injured. Of these, 10 were killed and 16 seriously injured at Redcar on the 15th November and 9 were killed at Sturry, near Canterbury, on the night of the 18th/19th November.

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