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located at Istanbul, Tekirdag and Corlu have been moved nearer to the Bulgarian frontier. There is no information to show whether these moves are-

(a) a precaution against the possibility of a threat to Thrace; (b) dictated by administrative requirements; or

(c) due to the necessity for improving or extending the defensive line Kirklareli Edirne with the advent of better weather in the spring.

Far East.

28. Fighting is reported in South China, where the Japanese have resumed operations in the Canton area, apparently with the object of consolidating their position and interfering with Chinese communications. Further east, a Chinese force is stated to be active in the neighbourhood of Swatow, possibly with the intention of attempting to recapture the port. Little military activity is reported from other parts of China and a virtual" stalemate" exists.

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Royal Air Force Operations.

Bomber Command.

AIR SITUATION.

Reconnaissances over Germany.

29. There have been no major offensive operations during the week, but our bomber forces have been very active both on reconnaissances and in leaflet- dropping. The latter were carried out on every night except one and employed 30 aircraft in all, which flew over Berlin, Hamburg, Bremen, Kiel, Lubeck, Wilhelmshaven, Brunsbuttel, Hanover and Linz. Parachute flares were also dropped over Berlin. The black-out was generally effective, but it was not good in Berlin and Hamburg, although the Berlin lights were extinguished on the approach of our aircraft. The lights of aircraft factories at Oranienburg and Spandau were clearly visible. Searchlights were active on some nights, especially near the coast, but anti-aircraft fire was slight and ineffective. Enemy fighters approached our aircraft on two occasions only, and they made no attack.

30. On the 29th February a specially equipped photographic reconnaissance aircraft was over the Heligoland Bight area, but succeeded in spite of foggy con- ditions and severe light anti-aircraft fire in securing a number of oblique photo- graphs of Cuxhaven and Brunsbuttel from a height of 200-300 feet. Those of the entrance to the Kiel Canal show a warship being locked through towards the Baltic. On the 1st March photographs were taken of the Heligoland anchorages from a great height and show two submarines, five small ships and what appears to be a small warship. A similar reconnaissance over Wilhelmshaven on the 2nd March showed one battleship, one battle cruiser, one "pocket battleship," two cruisers, eight destroyers and four torpedo boats, as well as the battleship Tirpitz, which is under construction. On the same day six Blenheim aircraft operating in two sections reconnoitred the Bight area for flak ships, but failed to find them in the expected positions.

On the 4th March a Blenheim aircraft sighted a submarine on the surface steaming north in the Schillig Roads. It dived to 1,400 feet and released four 250-lb. bombs. The submarine was observed to be hit by the last bomb between the conning tower and stern. A reconnaissance of the Heligoland area by two Blenheim aircraft on the 6th March was frustrated by enemy fighters and the lack of cloud cover.

Offensive patrols over enemy seaplane bases.

31. Patrols were maintained over the enemy seaplane bases at Borkum, Nordeney and Sylt on all nights except one; there were no incidents of special interest and no interference except by ineffective anti-aircraft fire. Twoj

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