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a Soviet sentry shot an old Estonian who refused to stop when challenged in a prohibited area. Though it turned out that the old man was a deaf mute, the sentry was shot without trial.

23. No more has been heard of German troop movements in the Western Ukraine. Germany is evidently trying to profit from Russian difficulties and is probably demanding concessions as the price of her economic and political support. One of these concessions appears to be a measure of control over the Soviet transport system. Another may be control of the Polish oil fields, but there is no confirmation of this. The possibility of German military support for the Soviet cannot be ruled out, as the prolongation of the Soviet-Finnish war must react unfavourably on Russia's ability to supply Germany with what she needs.

Italy.

24. Signor Mussolini has been receiving regular defence reports ever since October, when the Italian High Command was reorganised as a result, apparently, of the lack of preparedness for war. It is evident that the defences on the German frontier are not being neglected.

There have been reports that one or two divisions may be returning shortly from Libya. This move is somewhat unexpected. It may be due to the need for economy or, alternatively, it may be intended to relieve the Libyan formations by others from Italy. The present garrison of Libya, apart from the equivalent of two weak divisions of native troops, which are widely distributed, is:-

Far East.

In Tripolitania In Cyrenaica...

Divisions.

8

25. Japanese forces have shown renewed activity during the week. According to press reports, operations have taken place in the desolate regions of North-West China, near the Ordos Desert, where there can be no very well defined objective. The Japanese have also started a small drive against guerillas south of Hangchow, on the coast of Central China. It is reported that the object of these latter operations is to crush the Chinese troops in the vicinity and to prevent the infiltration of irregular forces to the Tai Lake District, west of Shanghai, and other areas to the north of Hangchow. The Japanese crossed the Chientang River and occupied Siaoshan, about fourteen miles to the south- east of Hangchow. Progress was subsequently made to the south and east for some ten or twelve miles, but on the 27th January the advance ceased. The Japanese claim that this halt in their operations was made deliberately, but it may well have been due to the bitter weather which is being experienced."

Royal Air Force Operations. Bomber Command.

AIR SITUATION.

26. No offensive operations were carried out by units of the Bomber Command during the week. Weather conditions were again unfavourable for German mine-laying operations, and there has not been any evidence of such activity by their mine-laying seaplanes. A practice reconnaissance sweep in the Western part of the North Sea was undertaken by eighteen Blenheim aircraft on the 25th, but was curtailed by fog and bad visibility. On the 26th nine Wellingtons did a similar exercise, but nothing of interest was seen on either occasion.

Fighter Command.

27. Units of the Fighter Command have been engaged in routine patrols for the protection of convoys, trawlers and cross-Channel shipping whenever weather conditions and the serviceability of aerodromes permitted. Special patrols were despatched on the 27th and 29th January to investigate unidentified

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