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T H I S D O C U M E N T I S T H E P R O P E R T Y OF H I S B R I T A N N I C M A J E S T Y ' S G O V E R N M E N T
SECRET.
Copy No.
W.P. (42) 471
[Alto C.O.S. (42) 430)'
October 15, 1942
TO BE K E P T
UNDER
LOCK
AND
KEY
I t is requested that special care may be taken to
ensure the secrecy of this document
WAR CABINET
WEEKLY RESUME
(No. 163)
of the
NAVAL, MILITARY AND AIR SITUATION
from 0700 October 8th, to
0700 October 15th,
1942
[Circulated with the approval of
the Chiefs of Staff.]
Cabinet War Room.
" "
3Q
NAYAL
SITUATION.
General Review.
1. Allied naval and air operations in the Solomons have inflicted serious
casualties on the enenry.
Our light forces have sunk a heavily escorted ship in the Channel.
E-boats have again attacked shipping off our East Coast.
Shipping losses have been considerable. A convoy from Canada, and
shipping in the South Atlantic, have been heavily attacked by U-boats.
Home Waters.
2. On the evening of the 13th a heavily escorted £nemy ship, steaming
down Channel, was sighted and reported by a naval aircraft oft' the French
coast, 30 miles south-east of Cape Barfleur. Early on the following morning a
force of our destroyers and M.T.Bs. intercepted the enemy north of
Cap de la Hague. The ship was set on fire, and was subsequently torpedoed
and sunk by M.T.B. 236. Two of the escorting torpedo-boats were left sinking.
Another force of our destroyers, to the east of Sark, damaged a torpedo­
boat and sank a mine-sweeper. Our forces came under fire from shore batteries
but suffered no serious damage.
In the course of three attacks by E-boats on a coastal convoy off Cromer on
the night of the 13th/14th, H.M. Destroyer Westminster sank one E-boat and
damaged two others.
West Atlantic.
3. On the 14th H.M. Canadian Armed Yacht Caribou was torpedoed by
a U-boat in the Cabot Strait.
Mediterranean.
4. On the 14th H.M. Submarine Utmost torpedoed a large tanker off the
north-east coast of S a r d i n i a ; it is possible that the ship was subsequently
beached. On the same day H.M. Submarine P. 46 sank two ships in the
Tyrrhenian Sea.
During the week 27,436 tons of French merchant shipping westbound and
2,536 tons eastbound have passed Gibraltar under escort.
Pacific.
5. The U.S. 8" Cruisers Quincy, Vincennes and Astoria
were sunk
while covering the landing of U.S. Marines on Guadalcanal Island on the
night of the 8th August.
6. Two Japanese light cruisers and four destroyers were attacked north of
New Georgia on the 9th October. One cruiser was seriously damaged, one slightly
damaged and three seaplanes were destroyed. On the same day a Japanese heavy
cruiser, four destroyers and a 5,000-ton transport were sunk by a U.S. naval
force north of Guadalcanal.
7. U.S. submarines operating in Far Eastern waters have sunk one heavy
cruiser, one small tanker and one trawler; damaged and probably sunk one cargo
ship; and damaged one large and one small tanker.
8. A i r c r a f t are reported to have sunk one enemy destroyer and damaged
two cruisers, one seaplane tender, one destroyer and two transports. Details are
given in the A i r Situation.
Anti-Submarine Operations.
9. Early on the morning of the 15th, H.M. Destroyer Viscount, escorting a
homeward-bound convoy, sank a U-boat in the N.W. Approaches.
On the 8th H.M. Destroyer A dive made a promising attack off the Cape of
Good Hope.
Exclusive of ships and aircraft operating from the U.S.A., reports have
been received of twelve other attacks by surface craft, one by a submarine and
seven by aircraft during the week.
Of these, three were carried out in the
vicinity of the Cape, two off Freetown, one east and one west of Gibraltar, four
in the Bay of Biscay or to the westward, and three south-west of Iceland (C).
I n North American waters, two attacks were made in the St. Lawrence River,
one in the Bay of Fundy and three in the Caribbean.
Enemy Intelligence.
German.
10.
There is no change in the disposition of the German Fleet.
Italian.
11. There has been a slight increase in the number of ships arriving in
North Africa from Italy during the week.
U-boats.
12. Six or seven U-boats are now operating in the southern p a r t of the
South Atlantic, and a similar number are probably on their way to this area.
There has been some activity to the westward of Freetown, and a number have
been reported in the vicinity of the Cape Verde Islands. There has been a lull
off the U.S. seaboard and east of Trinidad, but U-boats have been active in the
Gulf of St. Lawrence. The majority are at present concentrating on the convoy
routes in the North Atlantic.
Japanese U-boats have been operating off Ceylon.
13. Reports have been received that the Germans are now operating several
modified and new-type U-boats. These include a 1,600-ton class, 500-ton
and 750-ton minelavers, 1,000/1,200-ton cruiser U-boats, a n d supply U-boats of
between 1.200 and 1,600 tons.
Protection of Seaborne Trade.
. 14. D u r i n g the week ending 11th/12th, 934 ships have been convoyed. Of
these, 184 were in ocean convoys and 750 in British coastal convoys. Two
anti-aircraft ships, 48 destroyers (including one U.S. destroyer) and 83 sloops,
cutters and corvettes (including four U.S. cutters) were employed on escort duties.
D u r i n g the week, 67 ships in three ocean convoys arrived in Home W a t e r s .
One ship was sunk.
15. D u r i n g September, 379 ships in 12 ocean convoys arrived in Home
"Waters without loss. Twelve ships, three of which were stragglers, were lost in
four convoys originally comprising 131 ships.
Thirteen outward-bound convoys consisting of 286 ships arrived at their
destinations without loss. Three convoys, originally of 84 ships, lost 21, two
of which were separated from their convoy.
16. Imports into the United Kingdom by ships in convoy during the week
ending 10th October totalled 813.000 tons, compared with 570,000 tons d u r i n g
the previous seven days and an average of 700,000 tons for the past ten weeks.
Of the week s imports, 225.000 tons were mineral oil of various grades.
5
Enemy Attack on Shipping.
17. D u r i n g the week 25 ships are reported to have been attacked by U-boats,
of which 18 are known to have sunk.. These include three transports which were
proceeding independently to the United Kingdom with service personnel from
the Middle, East. On the 9th, the Oronsay (20,043 tons) was torpedoed south­
westward of Freetown, and, on the 11th, the Duchess of A tholl (20,119 tons) and
the Orcades (23,456 tons) were torpedoed and abandoned north-east of Ascension
and south-west of Capetown respectively. One thousand survivors were picked
up from the Orcades, leaving 27 unaccounted for; 821 were rescued from the
Duchess of A tholl, and reports have been received of 16 lifeboats w i t h survivors
from the Oronsay.
E i g h t ships in ' a homeward-bound convoy were sunk north-east of
Newfoundland. A straggler from another homeward-bound convoy and one ship
in an outward-bound convoy were torpedoed in the N . W . Approaches. Six ships,
five of which were sunk, were torpedoed in the neighbourhood of Capetown and
two others were torpedoed south-west of Freetown. A ship was sunk in the
St. Lawrence River and another torpedoed in the Cabot Strait. I n the I n d i a n
Ocean one ship was torpedoed to the south-west and one to the east of Ceylon.
[24494]
B
Since the 7th October, 15 ships, totalling 108,070 tons, have been torpedoed
in the Capetown area.
E-boats torpedoed two ships of a coastal convoy off Cromer.
A fishing trawler was sunk by mine off the South Devon coast.
18. Shipping losses from enemy action during September, as recorded to
date, total 493,000 tons, as compared with 648,073 tons in August and 598.533 tons
in "July. Over 88 per cent, of the September losses were due to U-boats, the
remainder being caused by aircraft. Except for about 30.000 tons in the Indian
Ocean and 74,000 tons lost in a convoy to Russia, the bulk of the losses occurred
to the eastward of Trinidad, in the N.W. Approaches, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence,
and in the area north and south of the Equator between Freetown and Ascension
Island.
Only nine tankers, totalling 85.000 tons, were sunk in September, as
compared with 19 in August. 13 in July. 26 in J u n e . 31 in May and 33 in April.
British Minelaying.
19. Mines have been laid by light craft off the Flemish coast, and mine­
laying by our aircraft, including naval aircraft, has taken place off the North
Sea and Channel coasts and in the Bay of Biscay.
Enemy Minelaying. British Minesweeping.
20. A considerable number of mines have been detected off the East Coast,
but there has been no definite evidence of enemy minelaying by either aircraft
or surface craft during the week. Thirty-eight magnetic and two acoustic
mines were destroyed off the Humber.
The mine totals to date a r e : Acoustic, 1,327; magnetic, 2,687; moored, 1,749.
H.M. Destroyer Bleasdale was damaged by a mine south of Selsey on the 10th.
Enemy Merchant Shipping.
21. Six enemy ships have left ports in the Bay of Biscay bound for the
F a r East, where they intend to load cargoes of fats and rubber. E i g h t German
ships, at least one of which has reached the South Atlantic. ai'e to attempt to
run the blockade from Japanese ports to German or German-controlled ports.
22. According to a recent estimate, about 1,096,000 tons of shipping in the
Mediterranean were available to the enemy at the end of August. This total
includes ships captured from the Allies, but. excludes tanker tonnage and also
about 54,000 tons of shipping in the Black Sea, which is entirely employed in
trade between Roumania and occupied Russia.
This estimated tonnage is used for military and commercial operations and
provides for shipping under repair. I t is calculated that about 65,000 tons of
available merchant shipping would be permanently laid up for repairs owing
to damage caused by marine risks. The loss and damage through Allied action
would, it is estimated, permanently immobilise a further 200,000 tons if the rate
of sinkings and construction remains constant. The total, therefore, of tonnage
available to the enemy is thus reduced to 831,000 tons, and this must be fully
employed in maintaining present supply routes. There are military supplies
to be carried to Libya, the Piraeus, and the Dodecanese, industrial and commercial
cargoes for transit between Turkey, Greece and Italy, and the I t a l i a n coast trade,
which includes journeys to ports in Sardinia and Sicily.
23. I t is reported from Massawa that the German s.s. Frmienfels
tons) was taken in prize on the 14th.
(7,487
Yichy French Shipping.
24. I t has been reliably reported that 35 Allied ships, totalling 118.190
tons, now interned in French ports, are about to be transferred to the Axis
Powers. Of this tonnage. Italy is to receive 22 ships of 56,778 tons and Germany
13 ships of 61,412 tons. The ships are to be manned by Axis crews with a certain
number of Vichy French volunteers, but no information has been received
regarding the actual dates of sailing.
Russian Intelligence.
25. I t is estimated that Archangel will be free of ice and open to traffic
until the 20th November.
The Russian patrol vessel Muscolonn was sunk off the coast of Nova Zembla
on the 11th. Aircraft and U-boat mining is suspected in this area.
It is believed t h a t four or five Russian submarines are operating in the
Baltic.
The total Russian submarine strength in the Black Sea is 43, which includes
six refitting and one completing.
MILITARY
SITUATION.
The Russo-German Campaign.
Northern and Central Sectors.
26. Local Russian successes gained in September in the Leningrad area
and south of Lake Ilmen appear now to have been largely nullified by German
counter-measures.
The Russians appear to have had no recent success in the Rzhev area, though
the position is obscure. They have been making determined efforts to gain the
town, and street fighting doubtless continues.
Stalingrad
Sector.
27. Russian attacks against the German northern flank between the
Rivers Don and Volga continue to hamper the Germans in their efforts to take
Stalingrad.
I n the city itself street fighting has been on a reduced scale and German
progress has been negligible.
Caucasus Sector.
28. The Germans have been fanning out in the area between the Rivers
K u m a and Terek, but have met with resistance some 50 miles north-west of
Kizlyar.
The Russians have given ground slightly south-south-east of Mozdok and a
further German advance has been made u p the eastern bank of the upper Terek
river.
The Germans have made only slow progress in their attack towards Tuapse
from the north-east, being now some 20 miles from the port.
Summary.
29. The lateness of the season and the continued Russian resistance a t
Stalingrad have now rendered an attack against Leningrad this year improbable.
If Stalingrad falls, the Germans seem likely to content themselves w i t h extending
their occupation of northern Caucasia and, possibly, attempting to reach the south
Caucasus. W i n t e r conditions, however, are at hand in the higher Caucasus
mountains and passage to the south by land can now be attempted only via the
narrow coastal route which runs through Makhach Kala along the shores of the
Caspian Sea.
Egypt.
30. P a t r o l activity during the week has continued, and a p a r t from one r a i d
on the night of the 5 t h / 6 t h , when we succeeded in occupying temporarily a n
enemy strong point in the Ruweisat Ridge area, there is nothing of importance
to report. The 16 Pistoia (motorised) division and a group of I t a l i a n p a r a c h u t e
battalions known as the Folgore Division, at present acting as infantry, have
recently been identified in North Africa.
Madagascar.
31. Our land forces have continued their advance south of Antsirabe in
the direction of Ambositra. By the evening of the 13th stiff opposition by the
Vichy French in prepared positions 4 miles north of Ambositra had been over­
come, and we captured 170 prisoners (including 50 Europeans). On the following
morning our leading elements occupied the town. The situation is quiet.
[24494]
B 2
Far East.
South-West
Pacific.
32. Between the 25th September and the 8th October the Australian troops
in Portuguese Timor were reinforced, bringing the total to 610. There are also
185 Dutch troops operating in this area.
I n New Guinea Australian patrols have had successful encounters with
Japanese patrols 10 miles south of Kokoda.
South Pacific.
33. The U.S. forces on Guadalcanal Island, in the Solomons Group, have
extended their positions westward on the north shore. The Japanese have been
landing small parties by night on the north-west tip of the island from destroyers.
The successful naval action on the 9th, however, seriously interfered with these
operations.
Intelligence.
German Forces.
34. The estimated total of German divisions has now been raised to 298 by
the identification of two additional training divisions in Germany.
The
distribution of divisions remains otherwise unchanged.
Japanese Forces.
35. Japan.—The
number of divisions in J a p a n which was up till very
recently believed to be 15 is now thought to be six. Seven divisions are unlocated.
36. Burma.—There is evidence that some of the Japanese troops now taking
p a r t in the operations in the South-West Pacific were withdrawn from Burma
at the end of the Burma campaign, but this does not necessarily mean that there
is any reduction in the total Japanese strength in Burma, which may have been
reinforced by other troops from Malaya. Siam, Indo-China or even Japan.
37. China.-—An increase of two Japanese divisions in north and central
China is thought to be due to the increase in the number of confirmed identifica­
tions. I t is most unlikely that there is any growth in the total numerical strength
of the Japanese forces in China. On the contrary, it is known that some of the
divisions, particularly in Shansi, are below strength and all evidence goes to
show that the Japanese are withdrawing some of their more experienced and
seasoned troops from China for use elsewhere.
38. New Britain-Solomons-New
Guinea area.—One division commanded
by Lieut.-General Horii Tomataro is known to be in this area; there are also
two other divisions, one of which probably came from the Philippines, and a
brigade from a division located in Burma commanded by Major-General
Kawaguchi Seiken. I n addition there are a number of marine landing parties,
making the total Japanese strength in this area equivalent to at least four
divisions.
AIR SITUATION.
General Review.
39. A strong force of U.S. day-bombers attacked targets at Lille. A t night,
a heavy and concentrated raid was carried out on Kiel.
Large-scale enemy attacks were resumed against M a l t a ; Spitfires inflicted
heavy casualties on the raiders.
Intensive operations were maintained against Japanese shipping and
aerodromes in the Pacific Zone.
United Kingdom.
40. Fighter Command flew 1,108 sorties by day (including four by U.S.
aircraft) and 274 by night.
By day a slight increase in enemy offensive operations was evident; this
activity was, however', almost entirely limited to attacks on south and south-east
coastal objectives, by groups of two or four fighters at a time.
The only night attack against this country was carried out on the Tyneside
by eight bombers.
Germany and Occupied Territory.
Day.
41. Aircraft of Fighter and Army Co-operation Commands flew a total of
797 offensive sorties, and Bomber Command flew 14; these compare with 310 and
14 sorties respectively during the previous week. I n addition, 115 U S . Bomber
sorties and 79 U.S. Fighter sorties were flown; last week's totals being 73 and
97 respectively.
The principal operation was a high-level raid directed against the FivesLille Steel and Engineering Works and the Ateliers d'Hellemmes, (Locomotive,
Carriage and Wagon Works). About 150 tons of bombs were released d u r i n g the
attack, which was made in good weather. A n assessment of damage appears in
Appendix V I I .
The bomber force employed against these targets and in diversions over
Cayeux and St. Omer comprised 88 U.S. Fortresses and 27 U.S. Liberators. Their
gun-crews accounted for 48 enemy aircraft shot down and many others damaged.
Twenty-nine Squadrons of R.A.F. Spitfires and one of Defiants, together with
three Squadrons of U.S. Spitfires and three of U.S. Lightnings provided cover
and support and made diversionary sweeps, during which they succeeded in
destroying five enemy aircraft for the loss of one Spitfire. Three U.S. bombers
did not return and another crashed (crew safe).
Sixteen Squadrons of Spitfires and one of Typhoons swept the D u n k i r k Le Treport area and damaged four intercepting enemy fighters. Three Spitfires
are missing.
Mosquitos, three of which were lost, dropped bombs at Hanover, Sluiskil.
Limburg, Koblenz, Sieburg a n d on other targets in Germany. Mustangs of
Army Co-operation Command made low-level attacks on railway and military
objectives in occupied territory.
The Photographic Reconnaissance U n i t made 51 sorties and a further
28 photographic sorties were flown by aircraft of Army Co-operation Command.
Night.
42. Bomber Command despatched 347 sorties against land targets compared
with 812 last week. About 265 tons of H . E . bombs (including 90 x 4000-lbs.)
and 410 tons of LBs. (including 9 x 4000-lbs.) were dropped d u r i n g the week.
The naval base at Kiel was attacked by 233 aircraft. A total of 540 tons of
bombs was released in an effective and concentrated raid in good visibility
assisted by flares accurately placed by the Pathfinder force, which consisted of
28 aircraft. Numerous large fires in the dock area and town were reported to be
well established before the last of our bombers'left the target. E i g h t aircraft are
missing.
Wismar and the adjacent Dornier factory were the objectives for the only
other raid during the period. A total of 44 aircraft, two of which are missing,
dropped approximately 100 tons of bombs. The aiming point was difficult to
locate owing to low cloud but one crew reported a large fire in, or close to. the
factory and other scattered fires were seen in the target area.
I n t r u d e r operations over enemy aerodromes were carried out by 14 aircraft
but no claims were made.
Coastal Operations.
43. Coastal Command despatched 561 sorties, of which 263 were on anti­
U-boat operations, 44 on mine-laying and 16 on convoy escorts. Bomber Command
despatched 37 aircraft on patrols in the Bay of Biscay area. (Results of anti­
U-boat operations are summarised under " Naval Situation.") Fighter Command
flew 610 shipping-protection patrols and 58 offensive sorties against shipping,
the latter including Naval Albacores. A total of 26 U.S. aircraft operated
against shipping.
A n escorted tanker north of Cape Finisterre was probably damaged after
an attack by Whitleys. Spitfires damaged an R-boat off Dunkirk. Other attacks
on enemy shipping resulted in near misses and some were carried "out under
conditions which precluded observation of results.
Three of our aircraft failed' to return from longe-range anti-U-boat patrols
and two crashed (crews safe). Beaufighters destroyed two J u . 88s and a flying
boat and damaged a third J u . 88 and a F. W. 200.
Two hundred and fifty-four aircraft of Bomber Command laid 555 sea-mines
and 42 more were laid by naval aircraft operating under Coastal Command.
Seven aircraft, including two naval aircraft, are missing from these operations
and one crashed.
s
Mediterranean.
Egypt and Libya.
44. Allied aircraft flew 1,617 sorties compared with 1,078 in the previous
week. Weather conditions were not generally favourable for air operations.
Photographic reconnaissance revealed that many enemy aircraft were
grounded on the waterlogged forward landing grounds in the El Daba area.
On the 9th, light bombers "(including some U.S. Mitchells) and fighter bombers,
with strong fighter escorts, attacked these landing grounds throughout the day.
Ten enemy aircraft were destroyed and at least 18 others severely damaged on
the ground; in addition one tank, two dumps and a number of M.T. vehicles
were destroyed. In combat ten enemy aircraft were shot down, five were probably
destroyed and six damaged. Our losses were 15 fighters and one bomber; nine
of these were p a r t of a formation of Hurricanes which was carrying out a low­
flying attack.
The operation was continued at night by 47 Wellingtons, which, with the
aid of flares dropped by naval Albacores, attacked F u k a landing ground.
A number of fires were started, four aircraft on the ground were-seen to be
destroyed and some dumps were blown up.
A combined attack by Beauforts a n d Bisleys was made on a t r a i n
carrying explosives and big guns south of Sidi B a r r a n i ; the train was blown
off the line and completely wrecked. Another attack on a train near Capuzzo
resulted in direct hits on four* trucks and some near misses.
Beaufighters
destroyed twelve railway trucks, and attacked a schooner which was left emitting
smoke.
Offensive sorties were flown by fighters over the forward areas but the number
of combats was limited. One formation of 12 J u . 87s, escorted by 20 Me. 109s,
was intercepted by British and TJ.S. fighters. Two J u . 87s and 2 Me. 109s were
shot down, two J u . 87s were probably destroyed and five other enemy aircraft
were damaged; one U.S. W a r h a w k is missing. Fighters also attacked enemy
motor vehicles along the coastal roads and behind the battle area. H i t s were
obtained on two tanks and on a number of petrol tankers and M.T.
U.S. bombers made two daylight attacks on Benghazi and two on Tobruk.
A t the latter a possible hit and many near misses were made on two large ships.
Tobruk was also bombed by Wellingtons and Halifaxes on three nights; one
small ship was hit and some very large fires were started in the dumps area.
Small numbers of enemy fighter-bombers were active in the battle area against
A.A. positions, artillery, M.T. and troops. For two hours on the 10th enemy
aircraft bombed defended localities held by their own troops. A single enemy
aircraft attacked our landing ground at Kufra, destroying one aircraft and
damaging two others.
Malta.
45. Since the beginning of the war fighters and A.A. guns at Malta have
destroyed over 1,010 enemy aircraft.
I n the week ending the 12th October our aircraft flew 455 sorties compared
with 282 in the previous week.
On the 11th, long-range bombers operating from Sicily, probably reinforced
by units transferred from Crete, resumed operations against Malta on a large
scale. Enemy daylight sorties from the 11th to 14th inclusive were 186 bombers
and 734 fighters; our Spitfires flew 475 sorties.
Enemy attacks were carried out u p to six times each day by formations of
approximately eight to ten bombers escorted by 40 to 50 fighters. The objective
was our aerodromes, but the raids were intercepted well north of the Island, and
although some aircraft made landfall, the bombing was erratic and ineffective.
Our Spitfires, although outnumbered were most successful in combating the
enemy and breaking up his formations. I n four days' fighting 80 enemy aircraft
were destroyed, 34 probably destroyed and 100 damaged; only 16 Spitfires a r e
missing, but nine pilots were saved.
A t night attacks were carried out by a small number of bombers, four of
which were destroyed by Beaufighters.
Sea
Communications.
46. On the 7t'h U.S. Liberators obtained several direct hits on ships at
Suda Bay.
On the 9th a southbound convoy of two ships and four destroyers was
attacked south-west of Crete and an explosion was observed on one ship.
g
Wellingtons again attacked the convoy north of Bomba and hit a destroyer.
A ship was seen to sink, but no hit on it was claimed by the Wellingtons.
Two out of three Beaufighters were shot down in an attack on a ship of
2,000 tons and a destroyer oft' Horns; the results of bombing were not observed,
but the ship was raked with cannon and machine-gun fire.
A naval Albacore torpedoed a southbound ship of 7,000 tons East of Horns.
Russian Front.
47. The Russians claim that in the week ending the 10th October the
Germans lost 123 aircraft against 78 of their own.
A t Stalingrad German close support of ground attacks north-west of the
city practically ceased, and attacks on Russian supply routes were less frequent.
There has been a n increase in the German air activity in the Caucasus area.
Considerable damage was reported to have been caused at the oil refinery town
of Grozni. Bombing attacks have been made on the harbour and town of Tuapse
and in support of the advanced ground troops.
The Russians claim to have sunk transports, barges and motor-torpedo boats
in German occupied ports in the Black Sea, and attacks were again made on
Novorossisk.
Considerable air activity is reported in the Lake Ilmen area.
Madagascar.
48. On the 7th, Vichy aircraft were bombed and machine-gunned on the
landing ground at Ihosy; two were destroyed and two were damaged.
India, Burma and Ceylon.
49. Blenheims successfully bombed Pakkoku Aerodrome (60 miles N.W. of
Meiktila), railway sidings at Y w a t a u n g (10 miles S.W. of Mandalay), barracks
at Kalewa a n d road traffic near Gangaw (50 miles S. of Kalewa). A Hudson
bombed a 2,000-ton armed ship 132 miles S.E. of Akyab, obtaining one hit
amidships.
Catalinas are maintaining anti-U-boat patrols on the shipping route off
the coast of Ceylon.
One enemy aircraft reconnoitred Fenny (45 miles N.W. of Cox's Bazar)
and two flew over the Calcutta area.
Pacific Zone.
50. Allied, aircraft maintained intensive operations against Japanese
shipping and aerodromes.
I n the Solomons area, carrier-based aircraft damaged a heavy enemy cruiser, a
transport and seaplane-tender south of Bougainville Island.
D u r i n g the
landing of Japanese troops at Guadalcanal Island (vide Military Situation,
p a r a g r a p h 33), U.S. dive-bombers sank a destroyer and damaged a 7,000-ton
cruiser and a destroyer. Four 4-engined flying-boats were destroyed a t Faisi
and two bombers were shot down in the Shortland Islands area. A 10,000-ton
transport, 100 miles East of Jacquinot Bay (S.E. New Britain), with 12 fighter
aircraft aboard, was left stationary and on fire after being hit twice by bombs
from a Hudson.
Rabaul was raided three times by a total of 77 heavy bombers; fuel dumps,
jetties, runways and a military camp were hit and many fierce fires were left
burning.
Allied aircraft also attacked the aerodromes at L a k u n a i and
V u n a k a n a u ; bombs fell among dispersed aircraft and on runways.
Twenty­
three bombers raided Lae Aerodrome, where an ammunition dump was
demolished. The aerodromes at Buna (New Guinea) and Buka (Solomon Islands)
were each subjected to two r a i d s ; large fires resulted.
Military objectives along the K o k a d a / W a i r o p i track were also successfully
bombed.
On the 11th, 35 enemy bombers and 30 fighters attacked Guadalcanal; Allied
fighters shot down eight bombers and four fighters for the loss of two U S . fighters.
Japanese air reinforcements, consisting almost entirely of fighters which
were ferried from J a p a n in converted aircraft-carriers, have arrived in the
Bismarck Archipelago-Solomons area, raising the strength from 175 to 260
aircraft. I n New Guinea, where enemy air strength has been declining for some
time, the small remaining balance has now been withdrawn, presumably to the
Bismarck-Solomons area. Local Allied superiority, based on P o r t Moresby, and
steady wastage in the Solomons appear to have compelled this withdrawal.
China.
51. On the 8th, 25 enemy bombers carried out the biggest air attack of recent
months on the important railway town of Loyang, Western H o n a n ; considerable
damage was caused.
Aleutian Islands.
52. U.S. aircraft continued their attacks on Kiska Island. On the 6th, a
cargo ship in the harbour was left on fire and sinking, the wireless station was
damaged and a seaplane was destroyed and another damaged on the water.
HOME SECURITY SITUATION.
General.
53. Small numbers of bombs were dropped on the South or South-East
Coasts on six days of the week. On one night, the 11th/12th, bombs were dropped
around the mouth of the Tyne.
Railway shops and locomotives were damaged at Brighton (12th). The South
Shields Gas Works were extensively damaged, but the gas supply was not"
affected (11th/12th).
Casualties.
54. The estimated civilian casualties for the week ending 0600 hours the
14th October are 32 killed and 83 seriously injured.
APPENDIX
I.
Merchant Vessels (excluding Commissioned Merchant Vessels) of all tonnages
lest by enemy action during the month of September 1942.
Table I.
The following table shows the division of losses into cause and nationality :—
Submarine, i
Mine.
Surface
Craft.
Aircraft.
Flag.
British
AlliedBelgian...
No.
Gross
Tons.
41
233,065
1
No.
Gross
Tons.
No.
Gross
Tons.
No.
Gross
Tons.
Other C a u s e s
and C a u s e
Unknown.
No.
Gross
Tons.
Total.
No.
Gross
Tons.
43
246,318
4,241
1
4,241
2 i 13,253
Dutch
...
3
17,517
3
17,517
Greek
...
4
17,411
4
17,411
Norwegian
6
23,571
6
23,571
Panamanian
5
21,010
3 i 11,291
8
32,301
13
83,201
27,966
18
111,167
6
21,389
3,124
38
188,340
9 I 42,381
United S t a t e s
Other Allies
Total of Allied l o s s e s
Neutral countries
Total
16,442
86
[24494]
437,847
24,513
47
108
11
55,634
108
c
230,721
16,550
98
493,589
Table II.
The following table shows the division of losses into cause and a r e a : —
Surface
Craft.
Mine.
Submarine.
Other C a u s e s
and Cause
Unknown.
Aircraft.
Area.
Atlantic—
North ...
South
...
Indian Ocean
vj
*
Gross
Tons.
Gross
Tons.
Gross
Tons.
Grost
Tone.
No.
Gross
Tons.
. 71
350,790
j
4
36,597
36,597
I
6
30,052
30,052
w o
Gross
Tons.
Total.
Xo.
No.
No.
No.
965
351,755
Pacific Areas
108
666
Mediterranean
774
U n i t e d K i n g d o m Coastal
W a t e r s ...
Elsewhere
(including
North Sea and B a r e n t s
Sea)
...
...
Total
, 86
19,742
54,669
10
437,847
11 ; 55,634
108
13
74,411
98
493,589
Table III.
The following table shows the losses inflicted on Ocean, Coastal and Western
Atlantic and Caribbean Convoys arriving at their destination during
September 1942 : Number i
Co"n. voyed.
Convoys.
Ocean
883
Number Lost.
Sub­
marine.
18
U n i t e d K i n g d o m Coastal
3,362
W e s t e r n A t l a n t i c and Caribbean
2,325
13
6,570
31
Aircraft.
10
Percentage Lost.
Total.
Sub­
marine.
Aircraft.
Total.
2-0
1-2
3-2
28
13
10
41
This table refers to l o s s e s while in E s c o r t e d Convoy.
13
11
.
A P P E N D I X II. Total Losses by Enemy Action and Marine Causes of Merchant Ships outside Enemy Control, including Tankers, but excluding Merchant Ships commissioned for Naval Service and Fleet Auxiliaries.
(Including vessels of all t o n n a g e s for losses by enemy action and vessels of 100 gross t o n s
and over for losses by marine causes.)
A.—Losses from all Causes.
( I n T h o u s a n d Gross T o n s . )
British.
Total.
Allied.
Neutral.
Period.
Period .
No.
Gr.Tons.
Gr. T o n s .
No.
No.
Gr. T o n s . 1
No.
Gr. T o n s .
!
1939September-November
(3 m o n t h s )
Decembe
Decemberr 1 9 3 9 - F e b r u a r y
1940
194 0
(3 m o n t h s )
1940March-May
(3 m o n t h s )
June-August
(3 m o n t h s )
September-November
(3 m o n t h s )
December
Decembe r 1 9 4 0 - F e b r u a r y
1941
194
1
(3 m o n t h s )
1941March-May
(3 m o n t h s )
June-August
(3 m o n t h s )
September-November
(3 m o n t h s )
TotalsSeptember 1939-November
1941
194 1
(27
(2
7 months)
203
656
110
369
15
82
78
205
338
905
129
419
12
38
197
448
23S
635
110
256
32
156
96
223
371
1,416
202
851
70
296
99
269
367
1,400
253
1,032
62
232
52
136
351
1,299
234
S90
74
328
43
81
462
1,773
282
1,131
131
508
49
134
248
759
152
501
51
201
45
57
250
757
159
532
41
136
50
89
709
1,642
!
2,828
9,600
1,631
i
5,981
488
1,977
j
l
(In T h o u s a n d Gross Tons.)
Total.
B r i t i s h Control.
A m e r i c a n Control.
Others.
Period.
Period .
No.
1941'
December
1
Gr. Tons.
No.
Gr. Tons.
No.
Gr. T o n s .
No.
Gr. T o n s .
-
...
.. .
175
467
1942January
February
1 Marc h '
Apri
Aprill
May
June...
July
August
S e p t e m b e r ..
....
141
133
230
138
160
179
141
125
118
532
647
848
696
738
842
667
663
535
1,540
6,635
Totals: December 1 9 4 1 S e p t e m b e r 194
1942
2
140
348
94
sn\
118"
85
92
84
69
91
69
925
1
24
92
11
27
366
415
463
430
427
396
334
518
330
29
37
49
46
62
81
55
23
36
123
186
229
247
295
401
288
122
173
18
13
63
7
6
14
17
11
13
43
46
156
19
16
45
45
23
82
4,027
442
2,156
173
452
N O T E . — T h e classification a c c o r d i n g t o Control from D e c e m b e r 1941 i n c l u s i v e is under consideration w i t h
the United S t a t e s , and the a b o v e provisional classification is therefore s u b j e c t to any s u b s e q u e n t a d j u s t m e n t s
which m a y be n e c e s s a r y after B r i t i s h and U n i t e d S t a t e s a g r e e m e n t is r e a c h e d .
[24494]
B.—Losses analysed by cause.
( I a T h o u s a n d Gross Tons.)
1
Period
Period..
Total..
Total
Total.
SubMine.
marine.
1
1939­
S e p t e m b e r - N o v e m b e r ...
(3 m o n t h s )
December
1939-Februarv
1940
(3 m o n t h s )
Marine Risk.
E n e m y Action.
SurAirface
craft.
craft. !
1
1
Other
Causes
or
Cause
Un­
known.
Total
3
109
6
103
Overdue,
Other
preCauses,
sumed
t
lost.*
, 656
547
349
160
35
905
622
317
229
22
29
25
283
37
246
489
126
105
12
162
84
146
16
130
1,416
1,328
736
1a. G O
205
218
36
88
28
60
1,400
1,263
787
86
245
131
14
137
16
121
1,299
1,055
512
101
245
180
17
244
45
199
1,773
1,672
809
72
219
538
34
101
15
86
759
672
469
25
48
99
31
87
16
71
757
594
424
30
36
99
5
163
32
131
467
417
111
64
6
36
200
50
11
39
532
411.
315
10
3
35
48
121
15
106
647
592
434
7
1
110
40
55
17
38
848
782
530
17
6
40
189
66
27
39
Apri
Aprill
696
642
426
15
91
85
25
54
22
32
May
738
709
616
19
15
59
29
4
25
June
842
783
682
22
25
- 49
5
59
23
36
July
667
598
454
9
48
74
13
69
3
66
August
663
649
541
i
47
61
14
September
535
493
438
i
I
55
42
7
35
16,235
14,318
9,076
1,917
340
1,577
1940­
March-May
(3 m o n t h s )
June-August
(3 m o n t h s )
S e p t e m b e r - N o v e m b e r ...
(3 m o n t h s )
December
1940-February
1941
(3 m o n t h s )
1941­
March-May
(3 m o n t h s )
June-August
...
(3 m o n t h s )
September-November
(3 m o n t h s )
December...
1942January
February
...
March
Marc h
..
....
..
....
...
635
'
1,104
1,309
2,060
769
* S o m e of t h e s e l o s s e s m a y e v e n t u a l l y be held to be due t o e n e m y action,
f I n c l u d i n g l o s s e s due to v e s s e l s running on B r i t i s h or Allied m i n e s .
14
A P P E N D I X III. Appendix III (1) will be inserted in a subsequent Resume. (2) Merchant Ships (100 gross tons and over) under construction in the United
Kingdom as at September 30, 1942.
Others.
Tankers.
i
No.
C o a s t i n g ship
shipss an
and
d collier
collierss
Othe
Otherr s h i p
pss
Total
Tota l
..
....
Gross t o n s .
7
No.
33
4,000 272,000
17
179*
40
276,000
196
Gross tons.
21,000
987,000
1,008,000
* I n c l u d i n g 12 s h i p s (6,000 gross tons) of M e r c h a n t t y p e i n t e n d e d for N a v a l u s e .
I n addition the following merchant ships have been ordered in the United
K i n g d o m and the United States :—
Tankers.
No.
United Kingdom
U n i t e d S t a t e s ..
....
Tota
Totall
Others.
Gross t o n s .
No.
Gross t o n s .
IS
105,000
91f
388,000
36,000
18
105,000
96
424,000
f I n c l u d i n g 5 v e s s e l s (3,000 gross t o n s ) building for the N a v y .
I A l l t h e s e v e s s e l s under c o n s t r u c t i o n .
APPENDIX
IY.
Enemy Merchant Ship Losses.
No alterations to figures furnished in last week's
APPENDIX
Resume.
Y.
Casualties to H.M. Auxiliary Yessels and to Naval Personnel.
The following casualties to naval personnel have been reported : - -
Officers : 52 killed; 2 wounded; 4 missing; 1 prisoner of war. R a t i n g s : 28 killed; 8 wounded; 15 missing. A P P E N D I X YI. Provisional operational aircraft battle casualties for the period: dawn, Thursday,
8th October, 1942, to dawn, Thursday, 15th October, 1942.
Metropolitan Area.
British and Allied.
In the
On the
Air.
Ground.
19 5
6
B o m b e r s ...
Fighters ...
Coastal
...
A r m y Co-operation Nil
30
Total
Enemy,
Probably
Destroyed.
Destroyed.
Total
Damaged.
1
9
1
4
1
3
6
1
Bombers
i Fighters
...
Miscellaneous
11
10
Middle East (including Malta).
British and Allied.
In the
Bombers
Fighters
Others
Total
2 crews and 11 pilots are safe.
Enemy.
Air.
7
36*
1
1
2
45
3
Probably
Destroyedi
42
62f
1
Total
Ground.
* I n c l u d e s 1 U . S . P.40.
Destroyed.
Bombers
-Fighters
L.
Miscellaneous
On the
Damaged.
21
24f
105
52
67f
45
119
Of t h e above t o t a l s 1 was d a m a g e d by A.A.
f I n c l u d e s U . S . c l a i m s : 4 destroyed, 1 probably destroyed and 4 d a m a g e d .
Far East.
British and Allied.
Bombers
Fighters Others ...
In the
Air
On'thb
Ground.
Total
Nil"
Enemy.
Probably j
Destroyed.
Destroyed.
B o m b e r s ...
Fighters Miscellaneous rr*
Total
Trr-IT"
R
"
:
Damaged-^
-
121
4
3
27,-....-
3
Nil
% I n c l u d e s 6 destroyed in A l e u t i a n s .
N O T E S . — ( a ) - N o a c c o u n t is t a k e n of e n e m y aircraft d e s t r o y e d on t h e ground in any theatre.
(b) N o a c c o u n t is taken of British Naval aircraft c a s u a l t i e s .
APPENDIX
YII.
Air Attacks on Enemy Territory in Europe.
Extracts from Recent Raid Assessment Reports.
The following reports have been received during the week :—
Germany.
Munich.
I t is reported that the last attack caused considerable destruction in
Schleisshelmerstrasse. where the B.M.W. Works (Aero Engines) as well as some
railway shops, which mount heavy calibre guns, suffered damage.
A-bomb which fell in the Marien Platz, which is in the centre of the city
and fronted on one side by the Town Hall, has resulted in this square being closed
to the public for five weeks.
The Munich press of 21st September announces t h a t all inhabitants will be
given an extra ration of 62-5 gr. of cheese during the period 22nd September
till 3rd October. I t also announced on 22nd September t h a t in order to place all
P a r t y , State, Municipal and Wehrmacht authorities at the disposal of the victims
of the R A P . attack, Gauleiter P a u l Giesler has ordained that the proposed
P a r t y Day in Munich and all its meetings should be cancelled.
The Miinchner Neueste Nachrichten of 24th September contains a decree
by the Mayor of Munich that in order to secure substitute accommodation for air
raid victims, all rooms suitable for letting must be registered with the Housing
Office within 24 hours from the time they become vacant. Such lodgings are only
to be let to air raid victims who possess a certificate from the Munich Housing
Administration entitling them to new quarters at a certain address.
Krefeld.
The attack on 2nd October caused much damage in the Rhine Harbour area.
Considerable numbers of barges, tugs, rolling-stock and fuel tanks were destroyed.
Hamburg.
As a result of fire damage caused by one of our attacks, the Fenchel Glycerine
factory was out of action for three months.
Karlsruhe.
As a result of the large fires started in the coke storage depots during the
last attack, which it took several days of strenuous effort to put out, 900 tons of
coke were destroyed. I n the end, the glowing coal a n d coke were thrown into the
Rhine for fear of causing new fires.
General.
I n a circular issued by the Reich Price Commissioner on 4th September, i t
is stated t h a t all workers engaged on the repair of damage caused through air
attacks are to have their hourly rates of pay increased by between 52 per cent,
and 65 per cent. These increases are not to apply to any other work paid by the
hour.
Occupied France.
Lille.
,
A s a result of the attack on the 9th October by U.S. aircraft, photographs
show the following principal points of damage :—
(i) The Cie de- Fives-Lille Steel Works has suffered considerable damage
to its largest buildings. The northern half of the main building
(possibly the Assembly Shop, 180 by 360 yards) has been severely
damaged by H . E . and.about fths of the total roof area of this half
has been destroyed. Much debris is visible beneath.
The southern half of this building has also received blast damage
to the roof.
There is considerable roof damage to a large multi-bay building
(possibly the rolling mill).
(ii) The Cratry J u t e Spinning Mills. L a Cottoniere d'Hellemmes Cotton
Spinning Mills, Crespel Cotton Spinning Mills and two other
industrial buildings have all received direct hits.
(iii) There are eight or more hits on railway lines in the vicinity.
(iv) A flak position in the area has suffered 5 or 6 hits, causing damage to
several of the emplacements.
Lille
District.
Photographs taken on the 11th October show some hitherto undiscovered
damage resulting from attacks in J u l y and September :—
(a) Pont de Marq.—North of the railway yards, eight tanks in an oil storage
depot have been destroyed and one or two sheds damaged. Further
east a small factory has been three-quarters demolished and another
severely damaged.
(b) Lomme.—Three
factory buildings have been, destroyed by fire or H . E .
and there is a considerable amount of roof damage to other two.
LOSSES shown In Quarterly Periods of BRITISH,
& FOREIGN ( b l a c k ) MERCHANT SHIPPIM
FORMS of ENEMY ACTION. MontfityTonnaoes of Broken Feriodshown separately for purposes of comparison
A VERAGE MONTHLY
by DIFFERENT
NOTE:-
SEPT­
NOV'39
Naval
RED)
INCLUDES VESSELS OF ALL TONNAGES-BUT
DEC'39
FEB'40
Intelligence
MAR­
MA/40
JUNE
AUG'40
Division
SEPT­
N0V4O
OEC'40
FEB'4I
MAR
MAY-41
EXCLUDES
JUNE
AUG'4\
COMMISSIONED SHIPS.
SEPT­
N0V.4I
DEC4I
FEB42
MAR
MAY-42
JUNE
AUC'42
ITALIAN
LOSSES ARE INCLUDED
UP TO JUNE
10 th,
1940.
S£PT
7942
This graph is based on information received in the Admiralty up to Noon Cct 7l
h
1^2
^