CAB80-8 — Page 350

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were active off the Coast between Newcastle and the Thames estuary; one ship was attacked without result.

On the 27th a few attacks were made on ships, including one Italian. Two British ships were damaged and two He. 111's were brought down, one near St. Abbs Head and one East of Coquet Island.

Reconnaissance.

34. There has been a fair amount of reconnaissance activity over Western France and the North Sea. On the 22nd February two He. 111's were brought down, one in the sea East of Blyth and the other near St. Abbs Head. The latter aircraft belonged to the reconnaissance unit at the disposal of the German High Command, and is the third confirmed casualty of this unit.

Fighters.

35. There is little fighter activity to report.

During the past week two instances occurred of German Me. 109 fighters being encountered at night. Up to date, fighters have only been encountered at night on four occasions.

Distribution of the Air Striking Force.

A new long-range bomber unit has been identified in Oldenburg; the number of this unit is not yet known, but it is thought that it was formed at the beginning of the war from some of the personnel and equipment of the bomber school at Tutow. During the winter the aircraft of this unit were actively engaged in navigational training all over Germany. Just prior to the move to the North-West the unit was based near Munich.

With the exception of the three Gruppen believed to be in E. Prussia, the whole of the German long-range bomber force is located West of a line approximately 11° E. The distribution is fairly even, but the density is slightly greater in the south, i.e., the Stuttgart-Nurnberg-Munich area. It is estimated that about 40, i.e., approximately a third, of the aerodromes in the Western half of Germany are still unoccupied, which allows for a major redistribution of the bomber force, and it would be unwise to consider that the present distribution of the German air force is committed in any particular direction.

New German Bomber.

37. Two more photographs have been released of the Junkers Ju. 88 in the German Press and reproductions are being distributed.

During the past 6 months frequent reports have been received of the German intention to have 2,000 Ju. 88's ready for a spring offensive. One report states that the Ju. 88 is already in use in great numbers in advanced schools, but this can only be treated with reserve at present. Our estimate of the number in first line units is 150, but it is likely that, since the initial delays in production have probably been overcome, this aircraft may make its appearance at a rapidly increasing rate in the near future.

German Forced-landings in Denmark.

38. It is reported in the Norwegian Press that the total number of air force personnel interned in Denmark has reached 24. This number probably represents the crews of about five He. 111's and a few Me. 109's.

RUSSO-FINNISH HOSTILITIES.

There are no reports of any naval operations. Navigation is suspended in the Gulf of Finland, and the only open water in the southern part of the Gulf of Bothnia is a strip about 10 miles in width. Routes are, however, kept open by icebreakers for about one convoy a week from Abo in Sweden.

40. The Soviet offensive in the western half of the Karelian Isthmus has continued during the week, although not so vigorously as before. The main pressure has been along the coast of the Gulf of Finland, where the Russians have captured the Koivisto batteries and the town of Johannes and have gained

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