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attack. Some reports have spoken of pipe-line systems installed for this purpose, and, according to one report, Krupps have abandoned the black-out policy in favour of smoke screens.

Although this device is costly in installation and is dependent to a consider- able extent on weather conditions, it is possible that the Germans are actually employing it. It seems unlikely, however, that the whole of a large industrial area such as the Ruhr could be screened in this way.

Italy.

The Italian army will be taking in about 400,000 new recruits of the 1919 and 1920 classes during the ten days ending the 20th March, and a relatively small number of untrained men of the 1910-1914 and 1917 classes sometime before the end of March. The bulk of the 1917 class of recruits (about 285,000) who are due for discharge at the end of the month may be released before the new recruits arrive, but so far no definite confirmation has been received.

India.

Nepal.

19. The first brigade of the Nepal Contingent arrived in Dehra Dun on the 11th March, and the second brigade is due at Kakul on the 15th March. The strength of the Contingent is 150 officers and 6,400 other ranks. The Nepal Government offered these troops on the understanding that they could be employed in India or on the North-West Frontier, but that they would not proceed overseas.

North-West Frontier.

20. Operations in the Ahmadzai Salient are proceeding and little opposition is being encountered. Minor incidents continue in Waziristan, but, on the whole, the situation has improved.

It was recently reported that the Frontier Constabulary had sustained severe losses when ambushed by the tribesmen. (Weekly Résumé No. 26.) It now appears that, far from being ambushed, this party of thirty Frontier Constabulary tracked an enemy party for some 16 miles into very difficult country. The Frontier Constabulary made their dispositions for attack and had actually detached half their strength to work round a flank when it became apparent that the "locale" was a rendezvous in which some 300 tribesmen had collected. The flanking party of the Frontier Constabulary was overwhelmed, but the remainder held their position for four hours against heavy odds until, at nightfall, the tribesmen dispersed. The action of this gallant party is considered to have saved several villages in the settled districts from being plundered and to have prevented an attack on a train.

Far East.

Military Situation.

21. Operations during the week have been confined to South China, where Japanese forces occupied Shekki, 25 miles north of Portuguese Macao, on the 8th March. The Shekki operation appears to be of a minor nature designed to mop up the district. It is probable that the Japanese forces will be withdrawn eventually, as they were some five months ago. On that occasion Shekki was evacuated after a week, but the Japanese stated they would return if the district became a centre of anti-Japanese activities; they have now done so.

Chinese Supply Routes.

22. There was a sharp increase in the tonnage of arms and munitions carried by the Burma road in December last; this amounted to 3,920 tons, as compared with 881 tons in November; the total transported during 1939 was 21,600 tons. Appreciable quantities of Russian material were supplied via this route during November and December. A rough analysis of the material moved during December shows that Russia supplied aerial bombs, field guns, machine guns, detonators, shells, fuses and cartridges; the U.S.A. supplied aircraft parts, revolvers, explosives, detonators, shells and cartridges. Other suppliers were Sweden (T.N.T.), France, Belgium and Czecho-Slovakia (cartridges).

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