(c) crown copyright
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T H I S DOCUMENT IS T H E P R O P E R T Y OF H I S BRITANNIC M A J E S T Y ' S G O Y E R N M E N f
SECRET
Copy No.
W . P , (41) 1 7 9
(AUp Paper No. G.O.S, (41)
July
24,
458)
1941
TO B E K E P T
UNDER
LOyCK
AND KEY.
I t is requested that special dgfre may be taken to
ensure the secrecy of (his document.
WAR CABINET WEEKLY RESUME (No. 99) of the
NAVAL, MILITARY AND AIR SITUATION
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12 noon July 24th,
1941
[Circulated with the approval of
the Chiefs of Staff.]
N A V A L SITUATION. General Review. 1. O u r s h i p p i n g losses have been e x c e p t i o n a l l y l i g h t . S e r i o u s c a s u a l t i e s
h a v e a g a i n been inflicted on enemy s h i p p i n g by our a i r c r a f t .
A n i m p o r t a n t convoy from the U n i t e d K i n g d o m h a s r e a c h e d M a l t a .
T h e Scharnhorst
h a s a r r i v e d a t L a P a l l i c e from B r e s t .
H o m e Waters. 2. A i r reconnaissance on the m o r n i n g of t h e 2 2 n d showed t h a t t h e G e r m a n
B a t t l e - c r u i s e r Scharnhorst
h a d left B r e s t . S h e w a s located a t L a P a l l i c e , p o r t
of L a Rochelle, on the m o r n i n g of t h e 2 3 r d a n d l a t e r a t t a c k e d by a i r c r a f t of
Bomber Command.
D u r i n g the n i g h t of t h e 1 7 t h / 18th H . M . S u b m a r i n e Umpire collided w i t h
one of H . M . T r a w l e r s off C r o m e r a n d s a n k .
T h e C o m m a n d i n g Officer a n d
f o u r t e e n m e n were rescued, b u t two officers a n d f o u r t e e n r a t i n g s w e r e lost.
A F o c k e - W u l f a i r c r a f t , w h i l e a t t a c k i n g a n o u t w a r d - b o u n d convoy, w a s
d e s t r o y e d by the s.s. Pilar de Larringa
(7,046 tons) about 240 miles w e s t of
I r e l a n d (R) on the 18th.
A H e i n k e l I I I , w h i c h a t t a c k e d a c o a s t a l convoy off C r o m e r on t h e n i g h t of
t h e 2 2 n d / 2 3 r d , w a s shot d o w n by the fire of the convoy a n d escorts.
H.M.
D e s t r o y e r Garth w a s s l i g h t l y d a m a g e d by a n e a r miss.
D u r i n g t h e week a p p r o x i m a t e l y 71,000 tons of enemy s h i p p i n g h a v e been
s u n k o r seriously d a m a g e d by a i r c r a f t of t h e C o a s t a l a n d Bomber C o m m a n d s .
D e t a i l s are given in the A i r Section.
Atlantic. 3. T h e V i c h y F r e n c h s.s. Isac (2,385 tons) w a s i n t e r c e p t e d to t h e w e s t of
G i b r a l t a r on the 19th. H e r e n g i n e s w e r e s a b o t a g e d a n d she w a s t o w e d i n t o
harbour.
T h e V i c h y F r e n c h s.s. Ville de Rouen (5,083 tons), from M a d a g a s c a r for
D a k a r , w a s i n t e r c e p t e d by LT.M.S. Dunedin
700 miles south-west of St. H e l e n a
on t h e 22nd, a n d is being sent i n to S i m o n s t o w n u n d e r a r m e d g u a r d .
Mediterranean. 4. A n i m p o r t a n t convoy c a r r y i n g stores, p r o v i s i o n s a n d r e i n f o r c e m e n t s
f r o m t h e U n i t e d K i n g d o m passed t h r o u g h t h e S t r a i t s of G i b r a l t a r a n d a r r i v e d
a t M a l t a on the 24th. O n e s h i p of t h e convoy, t h e s.s. Sydney Star (12,696 tons),
w a s h i t by t o r p e d o from an E - b o a t b u t r e a c h e d M a l t a a t r e d u c e d speed. S t r o n g
n a v a l forces p r o v i d e d escort a n d cover. T h e M e d i t e r r a n e a n F l e e t also o p e r a t e d
i n t h e E a s t e r n M e d i t e r r a n e a n in o r d e r to c r e a t e a diversion. I n t h e course of
c o n t i n u o u s a i r a t t a c k s by bombers a n d t o r p e d o - a i r c r a f t , H . M . D e s t r o y e r Fearless
w a s s u n k a n d H . M . S . Manchester
a n d H . M . D e s t r o y e r Firedrake
were damaged.
D u r i n g a i r a t t a c k s on a n I t a l i a n convoy to the s o u t h of P a n t e l l a r i a a b o u t
25,000 tons of enemy s h i p p i n g w e r e d e s t r o y e d or d a m a g e d .
Naval aircraft
o b t a i n e d a t o r p e d o h i t on t h e s t e r n of a n e s c o r t i n g destroyer. F u r t h e r d e t a i l s a r e
g i v e n i n the A i r Section.
H . M . S u b m a r i n e Unbeaten
shelled t w o 500-ton schooners w h i c h w e r e a t
a n c h o r 40 miles west of T r i p o l i (L), s i n k i n g one a n d severely d a m a g i n g t h e other.
H . M . S u b m a r i n e Union is o v e r d u e from p a t r o l a n d m u s t be c o n s i d e r e d lost.
T h e n a v a l c a m p at K a b r e t , in t h e C a n a l Zone, w a s d a m a g e d in a n a i r - r a i d
on Suez d u r i n g t h e n i g h t of t h e 2 1 s t / 2 2 n d .
D u r i n g the week e i g h t F r e n c h m e r c h a n t s h i p s ( u p w a r d s of 54,700 tons)
w e s t w a r d , a n d seven (31,216 tons) e a s t w a r d passed G i b r a l t a r u n d e r escort.
Enemy Intelligence. German.
5. A p a r t from t h e m o v e m e n t of the Scharnhorst
t h e r e h a v e been no
i m p o r t a n t c h a n g e s in t h e p o s i t i o n s of t h e l a r g e r G e r m a n u n i t s . T h e P o c k e t ­
b a t t l e s h i p A dmiral Scheer is believed to be c a r r y i n g o u t t r i a l s in t h e w e s t e r n B a l t i c .
Italian.
T h e t h r e e I t a l i a n b a t t l e s h i p s were still a t T a r a n t o on t h e 2 2 n d J u l y ; t h r e e
c r u i s e r s w e r e a t M e s s i n a a n d f o u r or five a t P a l e r m o .
T h e convoy traffic f r o m Sicily to N o r t h A f r i c a , w h i c h h a d a p p e a r e d to h a v e
d i m i n i s h e d of late, h a s n o w resumed i t s f o r m e r volume.
U-Boats.
6. A b o u t 24 or 25 G e r m a n U - B o a t s h a v e been o p e r a t i n g d u r i n g t h e w e e k ;
of w h i c h four h a v e been in the S o u t h A t l a n t i c , t h r e e in t h e A z o r e s a r e a a n d t h e
r e s t to t h e w e s t w a r d of I r e l a n d (R). I t is n o t e w o r t h y t h a t t h e r e a r e n o s i g n s a t
p r e s e n t of a n y s u b m a r i n e s west of 2 5 W i n l a t i t u d e s n o r t h of G i b r a l t a r , or in
t h e v i c i n i t y of I c e l a n d (C). T h e r e h a v e been a b o u t six I t a l i a n U - b o a t s in t h e
a r e a A z o r e s - M a d e i r a - C a p e St. V i n c e n t .
0
Enemy A t t a c k on Seaborne Trade.
7. S h i p p i n g c a s u a l t i e s so f a r r e p o r t e d h a v e been e x c e p t i o n a l l y l i g h t d u r i n g
t h e p e r i o d u n d e r review. One s h i p is k n o w n to h a v e been t o r p e d o e d a n d s u n k
s o u t h of M a d e i r a . I n t h e only other U - b o a t a t t a c k a s h i p w a s d a m a g e d by
gunfire t o t h e s o u t h - w e s t of I r e l a n d (R). B o m b i n g of coastal convoys on six
occasions r e s u l t e d i n d a m a g e to t h r e e s h i p s .
O n e s h i p w a s d a m a g e d by a i r
a t t a c k 2 4 0 miles west of I r e l a n d (R). E n e m y coastal b a t t e r i e s ineffectively
shelled a coastal convoy p a s s i n g t h r o u g h t h e S t r a i t s of Dover.
Protection of Seaborne Trade.
8. D u r i n g the week e n d i n g the 2 3 r d J u l y , 1,187 ships, i n c l u d i n g 231 A l l i e d
a n d 18 n e u t r a l , w e r e convoyed. One b a t t l e s h i p , two cruisers, twelve a r m e d
m e r c h a n t cruisers, four a n t i - a i r c r a f t s h i p s , sixty-seven destroyers, t h r e e
s u b m a r i n e s a n d one h u n d r e d a n d five sloops, corvettes a n d fleet m i n e s w e e p e r s
w e r e employed on escort d u t i e s .
I m p o r t s into G r e a t B r i t a i n by s h i p s i n convoy d u r i n g t h e week e n d i n g t h e
1 9 t h J u l y t o t a l l e d 580,737 tons c o m p a r e d w i t h 1,147,564 tons d u r i n g t h e p r e v i o u s
seven d a y s a n d a n a v e r a g e of 882,283 tons for t h e p a s t t e n weeks. Oil i m p o r t s
a m o u n t e d to 134,439 tons i n 13 t a n k e r s . M i n e r a l i m p o r t s w e r e 144,828 tons, of
w h i c h 97,697 tons w e r e steel, s c r a p iron, p i g i r o n a n d iron ore. T i m b e r a n d
p u l p i m p o r t s were 29,157 tons a n d cereal i m p o r t s 161,011 tons. F o o d i m p o r t s
t o t a l l e d 72,163 tons, of w h i c h t h e p r i n c i p a l commodities w e r e : S u g a r , 33,958
tons, r e f r i g e r a t e d a n d t i n n e d m e a t 17,491 tons, f r u i t 5,718 tons, cheese 2,585 t o n s .
A n oil refinery s h i p b r o u g h t 7,225 tons of w h a l e oil.
British Minelaying.
9. H . M . S . Teviot Bank l a i d 323 m i n e s off N o r t h R o n a on the 2 2 n d a n d , on
t h e following day, M o t o r L a u n c h e s l a i d 14 m i n e s off the F r e n c h coast.
M i n e l a y i n g by a i r c r a f t h a s been c a r r i e d o u t off N o r t h Sea p o r t s a n d F r e n c h
channel and Biscay ports.
Enemy Minelaying, British Minesweeping.
Home
Waters.
10. T h e r e h a v e been n o casualties c a u s e d by m i n e s d u r i n g t h e week. E n e m y
a i r c r a f t , w h i c h may h a v e been m i n e l a y i n g , h a v e been r e p o r t e d off t h e
E a s t C o a s t on five n i g h t s , a l t h o u g h n o n e a r e suspected i n t h e T h a m e s E s t u a r y
s o u t h of H a r w i c h . A i r c r a f t h a v e been r e p o r t e d off L a n d ' s E n d on one n i g h t ,
b u t o t h e r w i s e t h e S o u t h a n d W e s t C o a s t s h a v e n o t been visited.
T w o acoustic m i n e s w e r e d e t o n a t e d s o u t h of P l y m o u t h B r e a k w a t e r on t h e
21st J u l y in a n old d e c l a r e d a r e a w h i c h h a d n o t been s w e p t for some t i m e . Seven
o t h e r a c o u s t i c a n d t w o m a g n e t i c mines h a v e been d e t o n a t e d d u r i n g t h e w e e k .
T h e m i n e t o t a l s to d a t e a r e : m a g n e t i c 1,289, a c o u s t i c 908, c o n t a c t 934.
T h e F a r n I s l a n d s i n s h o r e c h a n n e l is still closed.
Foreign
Waters.
11. T h e U n i t e d S t a t e s N a v a l A u t h o r i t i e s h a v e notified t h e i r i n t e n t i o n to
m i n e c e r t a i n w a t e r s i n t h e P h i l i p p i n e I s l a n d s .
[22753]
B
MILITARY
SITUATION.
[ A n o u t l i n e m a p s h o w i n g A x i s o p e r a t i o n s a g a i n s t R u s s i a is i n c l u d e d i n t h i s
Resume as a n i n s e t . ]
Russo-German Campaign.
12. T h e g e n e r a l s i t u a t i o n shows l i t t l e c h a n g e as c o m p a r e d w i t h t h e a d v a n c e s
in p r e v i o u s weeks, a n d t h e G e r m a n l e a d e r s have been a t p a i n s to excuse t h e m ­
selves on t h e g r o u n d s of inevitable difficulties. T h e r e is n o d o u b t t h a t s u p p l y
problems a r e considerable a n d t h a t m u c h fighting is still t a k i n g place b e h i n d t h e
l e a d i n g t r o o p s . I t is probable, however, t h a t w h e n i n f a n t r y f o r m a t i o n s h a v e
come u p t o relieve t h e m e c h a n i s e d t r o o p s , t h e a d v a n c e w i l l r e g a i n i t s i m p e t u s ,
subject possibly to some refitting for t h e a r m o u r e d f o r m a t i o n s .
Finland.
13. T h e s i t u a t i o n i n the M u r m a n s k a r e a is s a t i s f a c t o r y from the Soviet
p o i n t of view. T h e only n o t a b l e a d v a n c e a p p e a r s to be on t h e n o r t h - e a s t e r n
shores of L a k e L a d o g a , w h e r e t h e G e r m a n s a n d F i n n s c l a i m to h a v e c a p t u r e d
P i t k a r a n t a , some 80 miles from t h e r a i l w a y L e n i n g r a d - M u r m a n s k .
Baltic
Front.
14. I n t h e G e r m a n a d v a n c e on L e n i n g r a d t h e r e h a s been h e a v y fighting i n
t h e a r e a P s k o v - P o r k h o v , w h e r e t h e r e s i s t a n c e offered by t h e R u s s i a n s seems so
f a r to h a v e been effective i n p r e v e n t i n g a r a p i d b r e a k - t h r o u g h . I t is n o t clear
to w h a t e x t e n t t h e o p p o s i n g forces will be able to b r i n g u p r e i n f o r c e m e n t s t o cover
t h e heavy losses claimed by both sides. T h e a d v a n c e i n E s t o n i a seems t o h a v e
d i m i n i s h e d in i m p o r t a n c e .
White
Russia.
15. Of t h e t w o m a i n e a s t w a r d t h r u s t s , the first, t o w a r d s t h e D n i e p e r a t
Rogachev, h a s met w i t h a s t u b b o r n r e s i s t a n c e ; t h e second, however, h a s n o w
a d v a n c e d beyond V i t e b s k , a n d a r m o u r e d e l e m e n t s a r e t o t h e e a s t of Smolensk.
T h e r e is l i t t l e d o u b t t h a t t h e s p e a r h e a d so formed h a s left b e h i n d i t whole
f o r m a t i o n s of R u s s i a n s w h o a r e offering serious r e s i s t a n c e to t h e consolidation of
the advance.
Ukraine.
16. T h e G e r m a n forces a d v a n c i n g i n t h e d i r e c t i o n of t h e D n i e p e r above
K i e v have met w i t h c o n s i d e r a b l e o p p o s i t i o n , b u t t h e i r p r o g r e s s c o n s t i t u t e s a
serious t h r e a t to t h i s t o w n . T h e t h r u s t in t h i s a r e a h a s left t h e R u s s i a n defences
on t h e D n i e s t e r f a r b e h i n d a n d m u s t e i t h e r force t h e w i t h d r a w a l of t h e Soviet
forces in B e s s a r a b i a or r e n d e r t h e i r p o s i t i o n e x t r e m e l y p r e c a r i o u s .
Bessarabia.
17. T h e a d v a n c e of t h e G e r m a n a n d R o u m a n i a n forces on K i s h i n e v w a s
successful a n d c o n t i n u e d t o w a r d s the D n i e s t e r , w h e r e m o r e t h a n one b r i d g e h e a d
m a y now h a v e been established. T h e R u s s i a n s a p p e a r to be fighting vigorously
to h o l d t h e r i v e r line, b u t a R u s s i a n w i t h d r a w a l m a y be t a k i n g place i n view
of t h e G e r m a n a d v a n c e t o w a r d s K i e v a n d m a y a c c o u n t for t h e G e r m a n claim
to be p u r s u i n g a b e a t e n enemy.
Operations.
Libya
and
Egypt.
18. O p e r a t i o n s h a v e been n o t a b l e for a series of successful sorties by t h e
T o b r u k G a r r i s o n . O n f o u r occasions p a t r o l s h a v e c a r r i e d o u t offensive r a i d s on
enemy positions, p e n e t r a t i n g in some cases several miles w i t h i n t h e enemy
defences a n d a t t a c k i n g s t r o n g p o i n t s a n d p o s i t i o n s . T h e a t t a c k s h a v e been
p r e s s e d home w i t h d e t e r m i n a t i o n , a n d h a v e been r e w a r d e d w i t h excellent r e s u l t s
c a s u a l t i e s inflicted on t h e e n e m y h a v e been heavy, w h i l e o u r o w n h a v e been
negligible. T h e effect on enemy m o r a l e is b e g i n n i n g to be a p p a r e n t .
A
byssinia.
19. A p a r t from a n unsuccessful a t t e m p t by p u r forces to c a r r y t h e Wolchefil.
p o s i t i o n , n o r t h of G o n d a r , a t the b e g i n n i n g of the week, l i t t l e a c t i v i t y h a s t a k e n
place. R e p o r t s from d e s e r t e r s i n d i c a t e t h a t the s u p p l y p o s i t i o n i n Wolchefit
is b e c o m i n g d e s p e r a t e , b u t t h a t t h e g a r r i s o n h a s been o r d e r e d to hold o u t to
the last.
Syria.
20. T h e A l l i e d F o r c e s a r e n o w t a k i n g u p s t r a t e g i c p o s i t i o n s i n S y r i a a n d
have reached the T u r k i s h frontier in the north-east. Vichy F r e n c h troops have
moved to c e r t a i n c o n c e n t r a t i o n a r e a s in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e t e r m s of t h e
Armistice.
Reinforcements.
2 1 . T h e following h a v e a r r i v e d a t Suez : —
H e a d q u a r t e r s , X Corps. Four Heavy A.A. Batteries. 69 I n f a n t r y B r i g a d e (50 D i v i s i o n ) . 161 I n f a n t r y B r i g a d e (from W e s t A f r i c a ) less one B a t t a l i o n . B a s e a n d L. of C. t r o o p s , a n d d r a f t s . Intelligence.
Spain.
22. T h e c o n t i n u a n c e of G e r m a n i n t e r e s t in S p a i n is s h o w n by t h e r e c e n t
visit of a G e r m a n G e n e r a l to M a d r i d a n d t h e a r r i v a l of a m i s s i o n i n t h e C a n a r y
I s l a n d s t o i n s p e c t the defences.
A t p r e s e n t t h e G e r m a n t r o o p s b e t w e e n B o r d e a u x a n d t h e f r o n t i e r consist of
some five d i v i s i o n s , i n c l u d i n g one reserve, t w o L a n d w e h r a n d t w o r e c e n t l y
formed.
Yugoslavia.
23. T h o u g h s p a s m o d i c r i o t i n g c o n t i n u e s in d i s t r i c t s o c c u p i e d by I t a l i a n s
a n d t h e r e is some g u e r i l l a a c t i v i t y i n t h e hills, t h e I t a l i a n g a r r i s o n should be
q u i t e a d e q u a t e to p r e v e n t a n y serious d i s t u r b a n c e s . " "
Bulgaria.
24. T h e B u l g a r i a n a r m y r e m a i n s mobilised, t h e g r e a t e r p a r t b e i n g concen­
t r a t e d i n t h e r e g i o n of t h e T u r k i s h f r o n t i e r , w i t h g a r r i s o n s i n n e w l y - a c q u i r e d
a r e a s i n M a c e d o n i a a n d T h r a c e . W h i l e t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of a g g r e s s i v e a c t i o n
a g a i n s t T u r k e y a t some f u t u r e d a t e c a n n o t be excluded, t h e r e a r e n o s i g h s of t h i s
at present.
Turkey.
2 5 . W h i l e t h e G e r m a n s m a y be p l a n n i n g some offensive action, t h e only
s i g n s of such a n i n t e n t i o n a r e p r e s s r e p o r t s t h a t t h e y a r e i m p r o v i n g r o a d a n d
r a i l c o m m u n i c a t i o n s i n B u l g a r i a , a n d t h a t I t a l i a n a n d G e r m a n g a r r i s o n s on
some of t h e J E g e a n i s l a n d s h a v e been, or soon will be, i n c r e a s e d . T h e r e a r e a t
p r e s e n t n o G e r m a n t r o o p s i n t h e a r e a of t h e T u r k i s h f r o n t i e r .
Libya.
26. A r e p o r t s t a t e s t h a t t h e m o v e m e n t of G e r m a n t r o o p s s o u t h w a r d s
t h r o u g h I t a l y h a s been r e s u m e d , a n d t h a t t h e s e a r e believed to be c o n c e n t r a t i n g
i n Sicily o r t h e e x t r e m e s o u t h of I t a l y .
I n t h e r a i d i n g a c t i v i t i e s a r o u n d T o b r u k t h e I t a l i a n s h a v e shown n o
s u b s t a n t i a l i n c r e a s e i n d e t e r m i n a t i o n , even w h e n stiffened by t h e p r e s e n c e of
G e r m a n s . K n o w l e d g e of t h e c o n d i t i o n s enjoyed by I t a l i a n p r i s o n e r s of w a r i s
believed t o be w i d e s p r e a d , a n d m a y h a v e a n i n c r e a s i n g l y a d v e r s e effect on morale.
[22753]
'
B 2
Iran.
27. T h e I r a n i a n G o v e r n m e n t c o n t i n u e s to show s i g n s of a n x i e t y a b o u t t h e
s a f e t y of t h e i r f r o n t i e r s w i t h t h e Soviet, e i t h e r out of f e a r of a R u s s i a n a t t a c k
o r a s a p r e c a u t i o n a g a i n s t a m a s s i n c u r s i o n of refugees from t h e Soviet U n i o n .
G e r m a n a g e n t s a r e i n t e n s i f y i n g t h i s a n x i e t y by s p r e a d i n g r e p o r t s of a n A n g l o R u s s i a n a g r e e m e n t to p a r t i t i o n I r a n a n d of o t h e r forms of A n g l o - R u s s i a n
collaboration, t h u s p l a y i n g on t h e t r a d i t i o n a l fear of R u s s i a w h i c h fills all
I r a n i a n s . T h e size of t h e G e r m a n colony a t T a b r i z h a s noticeably i n c r e a s e d .
T h e t o w n is of s t r a t e g i c i m p o r t a n c e , since i t lies a t t h e j u n c t i o n of r o a d s from
T u r k e y , I r a q a n d R u s s i a , a s well a s being t h e s o u t h e r n t e r m i n u s of t h e r a i l w a y
e n t e r i n g I r a n from R u s s i a .
Iraq.
28. T h e I r a q i G o v e r n m e n t h a v e reinforced t h e a r e a of S u l a i m a n i y a w i t h t h e
object of s u p p r e s s i n g t h e rebel S h a i k h M a h m u d by t h r e a t of force. M a r t i a l L a w
is to be declared i n S u l a i m a n i y a L i w a , b u t will not be enforced u n t i l m i l i t a r y
o p e r a t i o n s begin. T h e G o v e r n m e n t a r e a n x i o u s t o avoid h o s t i l i t i e s , if possible,
on account of the u n c e r t a i n m o r a l e a n d d i s c i p l i n e of the a r m y , w h i c h h a s a t
t h e moment no stomach for f u r t h e r fighting.
Japan.
29. T h e r e h a v e been a l a r g e n u m b e r of J a p a n e s e t r o o p a n d t r a n s p o r t move­
m e n t s . d u r i n g the p a s t week. M i l i t a r y p r e p a r a t i o n s in J a p a n , F o r m o s a a n d
H a i n a n also c o n t i n u e .
30. I n J a p a n itself r e s e r v i s t s u p to t h e age of 45 h a v e been recalled to t h e
colours, lorries, c a r s a n d horses h a v e been r e q u i s i t i o n e d , l a r g e q u a n t i t i e s of
b r i d g i n g e q u i p m e n t a p p e a r to h a v e been moved t o t h e west coast, a n d c e r t a i n
t r a n s p o r t movements h a v e t a k e n place from J a p a n t o d e s t i n a t i o n s so f a r u n k n o w n .
31. J a p a n e s e forces in t h e F o r m o s a - H a i n a n a r e a now t o t a l some
10 divisions, sufficient both for t h e e x i s t i n g g a r r i s o n s a n d f o r a n overseas force.
R e c e n t t r a n s p o r t movements i n d i c a t e t h a t a n e x p e d i t i o n a r y force of t w o to t h r e e
divisions m i g h t be l a u n c h e d from H a i n a n .
32. I n M a n c h u k u o t h e d i s p o s i t i o n of J a p a n e s e forces h a s been m a i n l y
de fensive. R e c e n t r e i n f o r c e m e n t s a n d c e r t a i n o t h e r i n d i c a t i o n s t e n d to show
t h a t J a p a n m a y n o w be m a k i n g t h e necessary p r e p a r a t i o n s to a t t a c k should a
f a v o u r a b l e o p p o r t u n i t y offer.
AIR
SITUATION.
General Review.
33. T h e R o y a l A i r F o r c e c o n t i n u e d its offensive a g a i n s t i n d u s t r i a l a n d
c o m m u n i c a t i o n t a r g e t s in t h e R u h r a n d in O c c u p i e d T e r r i t o r y .
H e a v y losses w e r e inflicted on enemy s h i p p i n g in H o m e W a t e r s a n d in t h e
Mediterranean.
E n e m y a i r a c t i v i t y over t h i s c o u n t r y r e m a i n s a t a very low level.
Germany and Occupied Territory.
General.
34. Bomber C o m m a n d d e s p a t c h e d 110 sorties by d a y a n d 638 by n i g h t , a s
c o m p a r e d w i t h 160 a n d 663 respectively in t h e p r e v i o u s week. F i g h t e r C o m m a n d
c o n t i n u e d t h e i r offensive sweeps over N o r t h e r n F r a n c e , a n d d u r i n g t h e week flew
155 s q u a d r o n sorties, i n v o l v i n g 1,860 a i r c r a f t .
Day.
35. On t h e 2 3 r d J u l y four S t i r l i n g s of B o m b e r C o m m a n d a t t a c k e d t h e
b a t t l e - c r u i s e r Scharnhorst,
w h i c h h a d been located t h a t m o r n i n g a t L a P a l l i c e .
I n s p i t e of i n t e n s e a n t i - a i r c r a f t fire they succeeded in d r o p p i n g a 2,000-lb. bomb
on o r n e a r t h e s t e r n of t h e vessel. T h e y also shot d o w n t w o o u t of e i g h t M e . 109s
w h i c h i n t e r c e p t e d t h e m . O n e S t i r l i n g w a s lost.
36. On t h e 21st, t h r e e S t i r l i n g s a t t a c k e d t h e a c c u m u l a t o r w o r k s a t L i l l e
a n d , a l t h o u g h poor v i s i b i l i t y p r e v e n t e d a c c u r a t e bombing, one l a r g e a n d t w o
small b u i l d i n g s w e r e h i t . O n t h e following d a y t h e s h i p y a r d a t L e T r a i t , n e a r
R o u e n , w a s bombed by six B l e n h e i m s , a n d b u r s t s w e r e seen on t h e sheds a n d o n
a s l i p w a y . T h e p o w e r s t a t i o n a n d c h e m i c a l f a c t o r y a t M a z i n g a r b e , n e a r Lille,
w e r e a t t a c k e d on t h e 23rd, b u t r e s u l t s could n o t be observed because of h e a v v
A . A . fire.
37. F i g h t e r C o m m a n d a i r c r a f t p r o v i d e d covering escorts for all these o p e r a ­
t i o n s except t h a t a g a i n s t t h e Scharnhorst.
T h e y a l s o c a r r i e d o u t several offensive
sweeps over t h e C h a n n e l a n d N o r t h e r n F r a n c e . I n t h e course of combats o u r
fighters destroyed 41 enemy fighters, p r o b a b l y d e s t r o y e d 14 a n d d a m a g e d 2 1 .
W e lost 15 bombers a n d 33 fighters, b u t 6 fighter p i l o t s a r e safe.
38. Successful
Operations.
a t t a c k s on enemy s h i p p i n g
are
reported under
Coastal
39. E n e m y defensive fighter p a t r o l s r e a c h e d t h e h i g h e s t t o t a l for several
w e e k s i n t h e P a s de C a l a i s a r e a , t h e d a i l y a v e r a g e for t h e week b e i n g n e a r l y 400.
Night.
40. B o m b i n g o p e r a t i o n s w e r e c a r r i e d o u t on six n i g h t s of t h e week, t h e
p r o g r a m m e for the r e m a i n i n g n i g h t b e i n g cancelled because of u n f a v o u r a b l e
w e a t h e r . Over 670 tons of H . E . a n d over 58,000 i n c e n d i a r y bombs w e r e d r o p p e d ,
a n d i t is e s t i m a t e d t h a t a l a r g e p r o p o r t i o n of these fell i n t h e t a r g e t a r e a s , t h o u g h
i t w a s difficult to assess r e s u l t s because of cloud a n d t h i c k h a z e . T h e p r i n c i p a l
t a r g e t s w e r e t h e i n d u s t r i a l a n d r a i l w a y c e n t r e s a t F r a n k f u r t , M a n n h e i m , Cologne
a n d H a n o v e r , t h e docks a t R o t t e r d a m , D u n k i r k a n d C h e r b o u r g , a n d t h e
Scharnhorst
at L a Pallice.
4 1 . A t Cologne, w h i c h w a s a t t a c k e d o n two n i g h t s , a n d on w h i c h 160 t o n s
of H . E . a n d 17,000 i n c e n d i a r i e s w e r e released, a l a r g e e x p l o s i o n w a s observed
n e a r t h e E a s t K a l k r a i l w a y s t a t i o n a n d a p a r t i c u l a r l y l a r g e fire w a s s t a r t e d
a m o n g t h e f a c t o r i e s i n t h e s o u t h - w e s t of t h e city. A t F r a n k f u r t , w h i c h w a s
a t t a c k e d on t h r e e n i g h t s a n d on w h i c h 129 t o n s of H . E . a n d 14,200 i n c e n d i a r i e s
w e r e d r o p p e d , several l a r g e fires w e r e s t a r t e d , especially a t t h e r a i l w a y c e n t r e s
a n d n e a r t h e p o s t office. A t M a n n h e i m , w h i c h w a s bombed on t h r e e n i g h t s , m a n y
fires also w e r e s t a r t e d , a n d a t l e a s t one d i r e c t h i t w a s m a d e on t h e D a i m l e r
B e n z W o r k s . A t R o t t e r d a m , a fire w h i c h w a s s t a r t e d a t t h e oil stores could be
seen by a i r c r a f t a h u n d r e d miles a w a y .
42. T h e e n e m y m a i n t a i n e d h i s n i g h t fighter p a t r o l s over H o l l a n d a n d N o r t h W e s t G e r m a n y d u r i n g the week, b u t on a s m a l l e r scale t h a n of late.
United Kingdom.
43. Offensive sweeps, bomber escorts a n d s h i p p i n g p r o t e c t i o n p a t r o l s a g a i n
account for t h e bulk of o u r fighter effort.
F i g h t e r C o m m a n d flew 999 p a t r o l s
(3,801 sorties) by day, a n d 390 p a t r o l s (570 sorties) by n i g h t : t h e l a t t e r t o t a l s
include dusk a n d d a w n operations.
44. B y d a y , only
a n d few i n t e r c e p t i o n s
Scillies on t h e 18th.
Shipping and weather
t h e l a s t few weeks.
six enemy a i r c r a f t w e r e p l o t t e d o v e r l a n d d u r i n g t h e week
took place, t h o u g h t w o H e . I l l s w e r e s h o t d o w n off t h e
N o enemy fighters o p e r a t e d on t h i s s i d e of t h e C h a n n e l .
r e c o n n a i s s a n c e flights w e r e o n t h e same low scale a s d u r i n g
45. B y n i g h t , t h e t o t a l n u m b e r of l o n g - r a n g e bombers o p e r a t i n g a g a i n s t
t h i s c o u n t r y w a s 170, of w h i c h 8 0 w e r e e m p l o y e d o n t h e 1 7 t h / 1 8 t h , when a n a t t a c k
was m a d e on H u l l . T h i s a p p e a r s to h a v e been a n i n t e n s i v e effort by t h e forces
available, since subsequent sorties by t h e u n i t s e n g a g e d w e r e on a m u c h smaller
scale. S h i p p i n g off the E a s t Coast, a n d on one n i g h t in t h e L i v e r p o o l a r e a , w a s
the m a i n objective on the r e m a i n i n g n i g h t s . E n e m y n i g h t fighters o p e r a t e d over
t h e e a s t e r n counties on the same scale a s l a s t week. A b o u t a dozen R o y a l A i r
Force s t a t i o n s w e r e bombed w i t h o u t serious i n c i d e n t , probably by t h e n i g h t
fighters. T w o enemy a i r c r a f t were destroyed by A . A . d u r i n g t h e week, b u t t h e r e
were no n i g h t fighter i n t e r c e p t i o n s .
D u r i n g the a t t a c k on H u l l , t h e enemy,
t h o u g h based in some i n s t a n c e s on N o r t h e r n F r a n c e , a p p r o a c h e d t h e t a r g e t from
the e a s t , h a v i n g flown coastwise along t h e D u t c h I s l a n d s before c r o s s i n g t h e
N o r t h Sea.
46. D u r i n g the five weeks e n d i n g on t h e 1 9 t h J u l y , 97 R o y a l A i r F o r c e
personnel a n d 17 G e r m a n s h a v e been saved by t h e R o y a l A i r F o r c e Sea R e s c u e
Service. Since i t s f o r m a t i o n in F e b r u a r y t h i s service h a s rescued 329 officers
a n d men.
Coastal Operations.
47. C o a s t a l C o m m a n d flew 252 p a t r o l s (364 sorties) a n d p r o v i d e d escorts
for 94 convoys (264 a d d i t i o n a l sorties). S h i p p i n g p r o t e c t i o n p a t r o l s c a r r i e d o u t
by F i g h t e r C o m m a n d totalled 704 (1,476 sorties).
48. Several a t t a c k s on enemy s h i p p i n g were m a d e d u r i n g t h e week by
a i r c r a f t of Bomber a n d C o a s t a l C o m m a n d s , w h i c h w e r e h i g h l y successful in s p i t e
of i n t e n s e A . A . fire from F l a k ships. On the 18th J u l y , t h r e e B l e n h e i m s a t t a c k e d
off G r a v e l i n e s a 6,000 ton t a n k e r , w h i c h w a s p r o t e c t e d by six F l a k s h i p s . D i r e c t
h i t s w e r e scored, w i t h t h e r e s u l t t h a t t h e s h i p w a s beached in a s i n k i n g c o n d i t i o n .
On t h e following day, two m o r e successful a t t a c k s took place. E l e v e n B l e n h e i m s
bombed a n enemy convoy of e i g h t m e r c h a n t vessels, escorted by six F l a k s h i p s ,
off t h e H a g u e , a s a r e s u l t of w h i c h four vessels, t o t a l l i n g 22,000 tons, w e r e
destroyed a n d one of 500 tons w a s d a m a g e d . A f u r t h e r e i g h t B l e n h e i m s a t t a c k e d
a n o t h e r convoy of seven m e r c h a n t vessels escorted by a b o u t six F l a k s h i p s off
Nordeney. D i r e c t h i t s w e r e o b t a i n e d on a t a n k e r of 10,000 tons a n d on t h r e e
m e r c h a n t vessels of 8,000, 6,000 a n d 2,000 tons respectively, all of w h i c h w e r e
sunk, w h i l e a n o t h e r m e r c h a n t vessel of 3,000 tons w a s d a m a g e d .
49. On t h e 20th, six B l e n h e i m s h i t a t a n k e r of 6,000 tons off L e T o u q u e t w i t h
t h r e e H . E . bombs a n d several i n c e n d i a r i e s , c a u s i n g terrific explosions a n d h u g e
columns of black smoke. T h e vessel w a s beached l a t e r n e a r B e r c k - s u r - M e r . O t h e r
enemy c a s u a l t i e s i n c l u d e a m e r c h a n t vessel of 4,000 t o n s a t St. N a z a i r e , a n o t h e r
of 1,500 tons off E g e r s u n d , a n d a t h i r d of 2,000 tons off B o r k u m , all of w h i c h
received d i r e c t h i t s . O t h e r vessels were a t t a c k e d w i t h bombs a n d m a c h i n e g u n
fire, b u t results could n o t be a c c u r a t e l y observed
50. On t h e 2 3 r d , a H u d s o n on convoy escort shot down a F o c k e - W u l f e
a i r c r a f t into t h e sea 107 miles W . S . W . of A c h i l l H e a d . T h e crew of t h e a i r c r a f t
were picked u p by a n a v a l u n i t .
5 1 . A n u m b e r of p a t r o l s were flown by a i r c r a f t of C o a s t a l C o m m a n d on t h e
22nd a n d on t h e m o r n i n g of t h e 2 3 r d to locate t h e Scharnhorst.
A t 0915 on t h e
23rd, a p h o t o g r a p h i c r e c o n n a i s s a n c e showed h e r a t L a P a l l i c e .
52. A t o t a l of 62 a i r c r a f t l a i d m i n e s off B r e s t , L o r i e n t , St. N a z a i r e , the
F r i s i a n I s l a n d s a n d i n t h e m o u t h s of t h e Elbe a n d W e s e r .
53. M i n e d a y i n g w a s c a r r i e d o u t by a b o u t f o r t y enemy a i r c r a f t off t h e
E a s t Coast. E n e m y a t t a c k s on s h i p p i n g were m a d e on four n i g h t s of t h e week,
a n d a r e r e f e r r e d to in t h e N a v a l Section.
Gibraltar.
54. T h e u s u a l convoy escorts a n d a n t i - s u b m a r i n e p a t r o l s w e r e flown.
A search w a s m a d e for a m i s s i n g B l e n h e i m w h i c h w a s located, b u r n t o u t , in
Morocco. A Swordfish of t h e A . A . C o - o p e r a t i o n U n i t l a n d e d a n d rescued t h e
crew u n d e r fire from t h e local A r a b s .
Central Mediterranean.
55. T h e f e a t u r e of t h e week h a s been a h i g h l y successful a t t a c k by
B l e n h e i m s a n d N a v a l Swordfish on a convoy off P a n t e l l a r i a on t h e 2 2 n d . T h i s
convoy, c o n s i s t i n g of four m e r c h a n t s h i p s a n d five d e s t r o y e r s , w a s l o c a t e d by a i r
r e c o n n a i s s a n c e , a n d l a t e r f o u r B l e n h e i m s w e r e d e s p a t c h e d to a t t a c k . T w o s h i p s
of 6 / 7 , 0 0 0 t o n s w e r e each h i t t w i c e a n d a t h i r d s h i p of a b o u t 5,000 tons, w h i c h
w a s h i t t h r e e t i m e s , blew u p a n d d i s a p p e a r e d . A n h o u r later, a M a r y l a n d s i g h t e d
a m e r c h a n t s h i p of about 7,000 tons w i t h only t h e s t e r n above w a t e r , w i t h t w o
d e s t r o y e r s p i c k i n g u p s u r v i v o r s . A t dusk, five N a v a l Swordfish followed u p t h e
a t t a c k o n t h e convoy, w h i c h n o w consisted only of one t a n k e r , one small m e r c h a n t
s h i p a n d one destroyer. T w o t o r p e d o e s s t r u c k t h e t a n k e r , w h i c h is c l a i m e d a s a
t o t a l loss, a n d the d e s t r o y e r w a s severely d a m a g e d by a h i t i n t h e s t e r n .
56. W e l l i n g t o n s d r o p p e d 9-1 tons of bombs d u r i n g t h e n i g h t of t h e 1 7 t h / 1 8 t h
on the dockyard at Palermo, where four cruisers a n d six destroyers were berthed.
O w i n g to a n effective smoke screen, t h e fall of bombs could n o t be p i n - p o i n t e d ,
b u t m a n y b u r s t s w e r e seen r o u n d t h e e s t i m a t e d p o s i t i o n of t h e s h i p s . On t h e
n i g h t of t h e 2 0 t h / 2 1 s t , n i n e W e l l i n g t o n s a t t a c k e d t h e r a i l w a y s i d i n g s a t N a p l e s ,
d r o p p i n g a l a r g e n u m b e r of i n c e n d i a r i e s , followed by 1\ tons of H . E . L a r g e fires
r e s u l t e d , a n d s u b s e q u e n t p h o t o g r a p h s confirm h i t s on sheds i n t h e r a i l w a y y a r d ,
a n d s h o w a r o w of t r u c k s b u r n t out.
Two Blenheims made a daylight attack
o n t h e p o w e r house a t T r i p o l i (L), a n d h i t s w e r e observed on t h e t a r g e t ; one of
t h e B l e n h e i m s w a s shot d o w n by a n enemy fighter. T h e following n i g h t , f o u r
Swordfish bombed t h e h a r b o u r , n a r r o w l y m i s s i n g a s h i p a n d s t a r t i n g a fire on
t h e foreshore.
57. T h e u s u a l a r e a s h a v e been covered by v i s u a l a n d p h o t o g r a p h i c
r e c o n n a i s s a n c e , a n d a M a r y l a n d so e n g a g e d shot d o w n a n I t a l i a n t h r e e - e n g i n e d
floatplane i n flames off S y r a c u s e .
58. T h e enemy h a v e s h o w n l i t t l e i n c l i n a t i o n t o a p p r o a c h M a l t a by d a y ,
t h o u g h on o n e occasion a bomber escorted by t w e n t y fighters r e c o n n o i t r e d t h e
i s l a n d . A t t a c k s h a v e been m a d e on t h e i s l a n d d u r i n g most n i g h t s of t h e week
by u p to n i n e a i r c r a f t , b u t for t h e most p a r t bombs h a v e fallen h a r m l e s s l y i n fields;
a wireless s t a t i o n w a s s l i g h t l y d a m a g e d .
E g y p t and Cyrenaica.
. 59. T h e r e w a s l i t t l e a c t i v i t y by d a y , a p a r t f r o m r e c o n n a i s s a n c e flights a n d
fighter p a t r o l s covering o u r c o a s t a l s h i p p i n g . W e l l i n g t o n s h a v e c o n t i n u e d t h e i r
n i g h t l y a t t a c k s on B e n g h a z i , a n d bombs b u r s t n e a r t h e G o v e r n m e n t Offices,
barracks, power station a n d M . T . workshops, and in the harbour district, where
m a n y fires b r o k e o u t . A fire followed by a p a r t i c u l a r l y violent explosion r e s u l t e d
f r o m a n a t t a c k on t h e mole a t D e r n a , a n d B o m b a a n d B a r d i a h a v e also suffered
damage.
60. D a y l i g h t a t t a c k s h a v e been m a d e by enemy a i r c r a f t on
B a g u s h a n d M e r s a M a t r u h , b u t w i t h o u t serious consequences.
a t t a c k e d by a b o u t t w e n t y a i r c r a f t on t h e n i g h t of t h e 1 8 t h / 1 9 t h ,
suffered no d a m a g e . A few n i g h t s later, t h e C a n a l Z o n e w a s
aircraft which slightly damaged four Wellingtons. Reference
u n d e r N a v a l S i t u a t i o n to n a v a l d a m a g e a n d c a s u a l t i e s .
Tobruk, Maaten
Alexandria was
but the harbour
bombed by five
h a s been m a d e
Cyprus.
6 1 . On t h e 18th, four J u . 88s bombed t h e N i c o s i a a r e a , b u t c a u s e d no
service d a m a g e or c a s u a l t i e s . O n e of t h e r a i d e r s w a s shot d o w n by a H u r r i c a n e .
East Africa.
62. B o m b i n g a t t a c k s w e r e c o n t i n u e d a g a i n s t t h e r e m a i n i n g I t a l i a n c e n t r e s
of r e s i s t a n c e i n t h e G o n d a r a r e a . R o y a l A i r F o r c e Wellesleys, F r e e F r e n c h
B l e n h e i m s a n d S o u t h A f r i c a n A i r F o r c e J u . 86s h a v e t a k e n p a r t i n t h e s e
o p e r a t i o n s . T w o I t a l i a n fighters, o p e r a t i n g from A z a z o , S o u t h of G o n d a r , t w i c e
a t t e m p t e d to i n t e r f e r e , a n d s l i g h t l y d a m a g e d some of o u r a i r c r a f t , b u t w e r e
themselves h i t .
hangars.
O u r fighters m a c h i n e - g u n n e d A z a z o a e r o d r o m e , s e t t i n g fire to
Russia.
63. U n f a v o u r a b l e w e a t h e r c o n d i t i o n s h a v e i n t e r f e r e d w i t h o p e r a t i o n s on t h e
R u s s i a n f r o n t t o a considerable e x t e n t , w i t h a consequent decrease i n a i r
r e c o n n a i s s a n c e of R u s s i a n t r o o p movements a n d a e r o d r o m e s w h i c h h a s f o r m e d a
very i m p o r t a n t p a r t of G e r m a n A i r F o r c e a c t i v i t i e s .
64. T h e G e r m a n s h a v e moved n e a r e n o u g h to Moscow to give fighter
p r o t e c t i o n to bombers, w h i c h h a v e o p e r a t e d over t h e C a p i t a l i n considerable
n u m b e r s . A p a r t from these a t t a c k s , t h e r e h a v e been few developments d u r i n g
t h e week.
65. R e p o r t s of d a m a g e d u r i n g a n a t t a c k by R u s s i a n N a v a l A i r c r a f t on
P l o e s t i oil refinery o n t h e n i g h t of t h e 1 2 t h / 1 3 t h h a v e been confirmed by
p h o t o g r a p h s . I t a p p e a r s t h a t , in t h e O r i o n refinery a r e a , t a n k s c o n t a i n i n g about
5,000 tons of oil w e r e d a m a g e d or destroyed, w h i l e considerable d a m a g e w a s
p r o b a b l y done to b u i l d i n g s . U p to 100 t a n k c a r s on t h e r a i l w a y line a d j a c e n t to
t h e refinery were a p p a r e n t l y d a m a g e d o r destroyed. T h e r e w e r e fewer fires a t
t h e A s t r a p l a n t , b u t t h e r e w a s one n e a r t h e c r a c k i n g p l a n t a n d one close to t h e
local p o w e r p l a n t a n d boilers. Some small t a n k s a n d some r a i l w a y c a r s w e r e
a l s o destroyed. A n o t h e r r e p o r t s t a t e s t h a t bombs fell a n d d e s t r o y e d most of t h e
U n i r e a refinery. T h e fire caused by t h e b o m b i n g is s a i d to h a v e b u r n e d for
18 h o u r s , a n d to h a v e d e s t r o y e d 20,000 t o n s of oil. I t is t h o u g h t t h a t t h e refinery
w i l l be o u t of action for six m o n t h s .
A i r Intelligence.
Italy.
66. I t is r e p o r t e d t h a t a small force of I t a l i a n a i r c r a f t , i n c l u d i n g some
s q u a d r o n s of s i n g l e - e n g i n e d fighters a n d a few a r m y co-operation a i r c r a f t , a r e to
t a k e p a r t in t h e R u s s i a n c a m p a i g n .
Spain.
67. I t is l e a r n e d t h a t 120 S p a n i s h fighter pilots h a v e been accepted by the
G e r m a n s for service on t h e R u s s i a n f r o n t . A l l of t h e p i l o t s selected h a v e been
t r a i n e d on M e . 109s i n t h e S p a n i s h A i r F o r c e .
T h e t o t a l is e s t i m a t e d to r e p r e s e n t a b o u t 30 p e r cent, of t h e f u l l y - t r a i n e d
fighter p i l o t s i n t h e S p a n i s h A i r Force, a n d w i l l a g g r a v a t e t h e s h o r t a g e of flying
p e r s o n n e l w h i c h a t p r e s e n t c o n s t i t u t e s t h e m o s t serious of t h e m a n y f a c t o r s
m i l i t a t i n g a g a i n s t i t s efficiency.
S m a l l bodies of g r o u n d p e r s o n n e l a r e also to be d e s p a t c h e d to G e r m a n y , a n d
both p i l o t s a n d g r o u n d staff a r e t o h a v e t h e s t a t u s of v o l u n t e e r s seconded from a i r
force d u t i e s . T h o u g h its i m m e d i a t e significance is slight, t h e m e a s u r e will
p r o v i d e t h e pilots concerned w i t h a p r e l i m i n a r y p e r i o d of o p e r a t i o n a l t r a i n i n g
i n G e r m a n y a n d , p e r h a p s u l t i m a t e l y , w i t h e x p e r i e n c e of w a r c o n d i t i o n s a n d of
a c t i v e collaboration w i t h G e r m a n u n i t s .
France.
I t is claimed in t h e F r e n c h p r e s s t h a t a considerable n u m b e r of a i r c r a f t
w e r e w i t h d r a w n from S y r i a to M e t r o p o l i t a n F r a n c e before t h e s i g n a t u r e of the
a g r e e m e n t w h i c h t e r m i n a t e d t h e S y r i a n c a m p a i g n . W i t h d r a w a l s a r e k n o w n to
have involved a m i n i m u m of one fighter a n d t w o bomber groupes.
Turkey.
I t is reliably r e p o r t e d from C a n a k k a l e t h a t T u r k i s h A . A . g u n s shot d o w n an
I t a l i a n a e r o p l a n e on t h e 1 5 t h J u l y i n t h e G u l f of E n o s , n e a r t h e Graeco-Turkish
frontier.
Japan.
A l t h o u g h d e t a i l s a r e l a c k i n g , t h e r e is some evidence t h a t a movement of
a i r c r a f t from N o r t h a n d C e n t r a l C h i n a to S o u t h C h i n a took place about t h e end
of J u n e .
HOME SECURITY
SITUATION. General. By
Day.
68.
N o bombs w e r e d r o p p e d on l a n d d u r i n g t h e week.
By
Night.
69. B o m b i n g w a s a g a i n on a small scale e x c e p t for a n a t t a c k on H u l l on
t h e n i g h t of t h e 1 7 t h / 1 8 t h J u l y . T h i s a t t a c k w a s t h e h e a v i e s t since t h a t m a d e
on B i r m i n g h a m a n d N u n e a t o n on t h e 1 6 t h / 1 7 t h M a y . D u r i n g t h e rest of t h e
week b o m b i n g o c c u r r e d in S c o t l a n d , Y o r k s h i r e , t h e M i d l a n d s , E a s t A n g l i a a n d
North-West England.
T o w n s p a r t i c u l a r l y affected w e r e A b e r d e e n , Corby,
Lowestoft, Yarmouth, Liverpool and its s u r r o u n d i n g districts.
Damage.
Hull
(l7th/18th July).
70. T h e a t t a c k l a s t e d for a b o u t t w o h o u r s . 160 fires w e r e s t a r t e d b u t only
f o u r became serious. Over 3,500 p e o p l e w e r e r e n d e r e d t e m p o r a r i l y homeless.
P u b l i c u t i l i t y services received c o n s i d e r a b l e d a m a g e b u t r e p a i r s a r e well in h a n d .
S e v e r a l i m p o r t a n t f a c t o r i e s w e r e affected, t h e m o r e i m p o r t a n t of w h i c h w e r e : —
Messrs. S p i l l e r s L t d . S w a n M i l l s . Completely g u t t e d .
M e s s r s . S a n d e r s o n & Co. O i l refinery p u t out of a c t i o n .
Aberdeen
(20th/21st July, 23rd/24th July).
71. E x t e n s i v e d a m a g e w a s d o n e to house p r o p e r t y , t h e F i s h m a r k e t , R e g e n t s
Q u a y a n d u t i l i t y services.
Lowestoft
72.
(21st/22nd July);
E x t e n s i v e d a m a g e to house p r o p e r t y .
Birkenhead
(23rd/24th July).
73. A p u b l i c shelter w a s h i t , c a u s i n g several c a s u a l t i e s .
d o n e t o u t i l i t y services.
D a m a g e w a s also
Casualties.
74. T h e c a s u a l t i e s u p to 0600 h o u r s 2 3 r d J u l y a r e e s t i m a t e d a t 132 k i l l e d
a n d 122 seriously i n j u r e d , of w h i c h 111 w e r e killed a n d 108 seriously i n j u r e d
a t H u l l on t h e 1 7 t h / 1 8 t h J u l y .
[22753]
c
APPENDICES
I,
II
and
III
will be published monthly.
APPENDIX
IY.
Merchant ships (all sizes) lost by the enemy up to 21st July, 1941.
German.
Capture
Captured
d o r seize
seized
d
Scuttled,
Scuttled , o r sun
sunk
k ..
....
Unidentified
Unidentifie
d ship
shipss reporte
reported
d
a s sun
sunk
k or destroye
destroyed
d by
S/M
S/M,, A/C
A/C,, &c
&c.. (tonnag
(tonnagee
estimated)
Italian.
No.
Gross
Tons.
No.
Gross
Tons.
65
121
295,000
677,000
42
89
200,000
437,000
297
1,188,000
155
483
2,160,000
286
Together.
No.
Gross
Tons.
107
210
495,000
1,114,000
852,000
452
2,040,000
1,489,000
769
3,649,000
:.
I n addition, 51 ships of 94,000 gross t o n s under e n e m y control or useful to the e n e m y h a v e
been sunk.
Also s o m e 53 ships, totalling 320,000 gross tons, h a v e been p l a c e d under protective c u s t o d y
in U n i t e d S t a t e s and South American ports to prevent sabotage b y their crews. S o m e of t h i s
t o n n a g e has been taken over and put into service by the U n i t e d S t a t e s and s o m e by S o u t h
American Republics.
The l o s s e s of unidentified G e r m a n ships include a n u m b e r c l a i m e d by t h e R u s s i a n s .
APPENDIX
V.
Casualties to H . M . Auxiliary Vessels and to N a v a l Personnel.
N o c a s u a l t i e s to ELM. A u x i l i a r y Vessels h a v e been r e p o r t e d d u r i n g
p e r i o d u n d e r review.
T h e following casualties to n a v a l p e r s o n n e l h a v e been r e p o r t e d :—
the
Officers : K i l l e d 4, w o u n d e d 2, p r i s o n e r s of w a r 2. R a t i n g s : K i l l e d 27, w o u n d e d 11, p r i s o n e r s of w a r 83, m i s s i n g 74. These figures i n c l u d e 2 officers a n d 14 r a t i n g s lost i n H . M . S u b m a r i n e Umpire
a n d 72 r a t i n g s killed a n d 83 p r i s o n e r s of w a r from H . M . D e s t r o y e r
Hereward.
APPENDIX
YI. Operational Aircraft B a t t l e Casualties. 0600 hours, Thursday, 17th July, 1941, to 0600 hours, Thursday, 24th July, 1941. Metropolitan A r e a .
Royal Air Force.
In the
21
33
B o m b e r s ...
Fighters ...
Coastal ...
Total
:
:
... ,
. ...
: 60
Air.
Ground.
On the
Nil
.
6 fighter pilots are k n o w n to be safe.
German.
Probably
Destroyed.
Destroyed.
3
Bombers
Fighters
Miscellaneous
...
...
40
Damaged.
14
26
1
14
27
3
Total
46
N o a c c o u n t is taken of aircraft destroyed on t h e ground.
Middle East.
Royal Air Force.
In the
Air.
On the
Ground.
1
Bombers...
F i g h t e r s ...
Coastal ...
4
Nil
Total
German.
Destroyed.
1
B o m b e r s ...
Fighters ...
Miscellaneous
Total
Probably
Destroyed.
Damaged.
Nil
Nil
Italian.
1
2
1
B o m b e r s ...
Fighters
...
Miscellaneous
Total
[22753]
Nil
D
APPENDIX
YII.
A i r A t t a c k s on Enemy Territory in Europe.
Extracts from Recent Raid Assessment Reports.
T h e following r e p o r t s of d a m a g e have been received d u r i n g t h e p a s t week
from a i r reconnaissance a n d I n t e l l i g e n c e sources :—
Germany.
Miinster.—Photographs
t a k e n on the 11th a n d 1 2 t h J u l y show d a m a g e to
h a v e been heavy a n d w i d e s p r e a d .
T h e p r i n c i p a l f e a t u r e is t h e n u m b e r of
completely b u r n t out b u i l d i n g s , b o t h i n d u s t r i a l a n d p r i v a t e , i n n u m e r o u s different
p a r t s of t h e town. T w o 4,000 lb. bombs have been p l o t t e d , the a p p r o x i m a t e a r e a s
of complete d e s t r u c t i o n r e s u l t i n g t h e r e f r o m being 180 by 70 y a r d s a n d 90 by
65 y a r d s , b u t e x p e r i e n c e suggests, t h a t t h e t o t a l d a m a g e m u s t e x t e n d over a m u c h
l a r g e r area. T h e w o r k s of F a b r i k Stille on the west of t h e goods s t a t i o n , m a k e r s
of a g r i c u l t u r a l implements, h a s been completely destroyed.
Aachen.—Photographs
t a k e n on t h e 14th J u l y show t h e r a i d on t h e
1 0 t h / 1 1 t h J u l y to have been beyond question one of t h e most successful a t t a c k s
y e t m a d e u p o n G e r m a n y . F o r t h e t o n n a g e of bombs d r o p p e d t h e d a m a g e s h o w n
is the most extensive yet seen. T h e r e a r e three m a i n areas of e x t e n s i v e fire
d a m a g e — i n t h e c e n t r e "of t h e t o w n affecting t h e p r i n c i p a l m u n i c i p a l b u i l d i n g s ,
t h e business a r e a a n d t h e s h o p p i n g centre. These t h r e e a r e a s comprise n e a r l y
30 p e r cent, of the town, not t a k i n g i n t o account t h e suburbs. T h e g a s w o r k s
w a s h i t a n d w a r e h o u s e s a n d b u i l d i n g s i n t h e goods s t a t i o n were d a m a g e d by fire.
I t is s a i d t h a t 830 people w e r e killed in t h i s r a i d , a n d a t r a v e l l e r from
B e l g i u m on t h e - 1 1 t h J u l y s t a t e d t h a t a delay of two h o u r s o c c u r r e d a t A a c h e n ,
w h e r e d a m a g e a n d d i s o r g a n i s a t i o n w e r e evident.
Osnabriick.—In
the r a i d on t h e 5 t h / 6 t h J u l y the copper a n d w i r e w o r k s a n d
w a r e h o u s e s a t t h e s t a t i o n w e r e h i t . T h e lines to B r e m e n a n d M u n s t e r w e r e closed
t o traffic on t h e 6th J u l y .
Bremen.—Jn
t h e m i d d l e of J u n e r e p a i r s were being c a r r i e d out t o t w o of t h e
s l i p w a y s w h i c h h a d been badly d a m a g e d in t h e Vegesack Y a r d .
Bielefeld.—The
D u r k o p p w o r k s (which in peacetime m a n u f a c t u r e s e w i n g
machines) h a s been severely h i t .
I n c e n d i a r y bombs fell on a m i l i t a r y c a m p
s i t u a t e i n some woods a b o u t 5 miles a w a y a n d t h e c a m p w a s b u r n t out.
Krefeld.—Photographs
t a k e n on t h e 12th J u l y show t h a t t h e t w o H a m p d e n s
w h i c h a t t a c k e d on t h e 7 t h / 8 t h J u l y caused a n a r e a of d a m a g e i n t h e D e l s c h l a g e r
S t r a s s e a n d t h e M a r i a S t r a s s e . T h e s e s t r e e t s a r e in t h e centre of t h e t o w n , a n d
h a v i n g r e g a r d to t h e small t o n n a g e d r o p p e d the a t t a c k w a s m o s t effective.
North-West
Germany.—At
M i n d e n fuel s t o r a g e t a n k s h a v e been h i t a n d
houses destroyed. T h e s t a t i o n s a t Soest a n d U n n a have been h i t , d a m a g e a t t h e
f o r m e r being severe. P a s s i n g by t r a i n t h r o u g h Elberfeld, d a m a g e c a n be seen on
each side of t h e line, and, t h a n k s to t e m p o r a r y r e p a i r s , a t B a r m e n t h e t r a i n s cross
a b r i d g e w h i c h h a s received a d i r e c t h i t . Commercial b u i l d i n g s a t G u t e r s l o h
a n d O p l a d e n h a v e been d a m a g e d , a n d a t t h e l a t t e r place i t w a s a p p a r e n t t h a t t h e
t r a c k h a d recently been r e p a i r e d .
Diisseldorf
Area.—A
w o r k s a t N e u s s m a k i n g flame-throwers, a n d t h e m a i n
l i n e to B e n r a t h h a v e been hit.
Cologne.—The
M u l h e i m B r i d g e h a s been h i t a n d w a r e h o u s e s of t h e R h i n e
S h i p p i n g C o m p a n y to t h e s o u t h t h e r e o f h a v e been b u r n t out or severely d a m a g e d .
General.—It
is l e a r n t t h a t to a i d t h e G e r m a n s in assessing d a m a g e f r o m t h e i r
p h o t o g r a p h s of L o n d o n , B e r l i n w a s p h o t o g r a p h e d a f t e r one or two of o u r r a i d s
f r o m a n e q u i v a l e n t h e i g h t . I t w a s f o u n d t h a t t h e a c t u a l n u m b e r of h i t s f a r
exceeded those disclosed by t h e p h o t o g r a p h s .
Italy.
T h e r a i d s o n P a l e r m o on the 6 t h J u l y a n d on
successful. A t P a l e r m o six s h i p s w e r e sunk. A t
w i t h a p r o p o s e d d e p a r t u r e of a convoy for T r i p o l i .
a n d a c r u i s e r h i t . T h e a t t a c k on N a p l e s caused t h e
in Rome.
N a p l e s on t h e 9 t h J u l y w e r e
N a p l e s t h e a t t a c k coincided
The port area was damaged
a i r r a i d w a r n i n g to be g i v e n
Holland.
Shipping.—Photographs
t a k e n on the 1 4 t h J u l y d u r i n g a n a t t a c k on a convoy
off I j m u i d e n show h i t s on a m e r c h a n t vessel of a b o u t 6,000 tons. A s a r e s u l t of
r e c e n t a t t a c k s off the D u t c h Coast a n d a t R o t t e r d a m t h e r e is a g r o w i n g d e s i r e
a m o n g s t b u s i n e s s m e n a g a i n s t r o u t e i n g t h e i r goods, especially for S c a n d i n a v i a ,
through Dutch ports.
approximate showing/
advances
LEGEND
Approximate
lirres
reached
by
Axis^forces:
29th. June.
6 th. July
13th. July
20 th. July
Pockets
Main
of /Soviet
tttrusts
Note, resistance.
of Axis Forces.
It is emphasized
mobile
place
warfare
up to date
no continuous
broken
limits
there can be
front
line. The
lines on the map there?
Pore ' indicate
.
that in the
which has taken
only the approximate
of advance
troops.
of the foremost
LEGEND Approximate
hires reached by
Axis ^forces;
29th. June.
6th.
July
13th. July.
20 th. July
Pockets of/ooviet
Main
tttrusts
resistance.
of Axis Forces
It Is emphasized
mobile
warfare
place
up to date
no continuous
broken
Pore
troops.
there can be
front
line. The
lines on the map there;
indicate
limits
\
that in the
which has taken
only the approximate
of advance
of the l^oremost
LEGEND Approximate
likes reached by
Axis forces
.--
Z9th. June.
6 th. July.
13 th. July.
20 th. July
Pockets of/Soviet
Main
tprusts
resistance.
of Axis Forces..
It Is emphasized
mobile
warfare
place
broken
limits
.
which has taken
up to date
no continuous
Pore
that in the
there can be
front
line. The
lines on the map
indicate
of advance
troops.
there
only the approximate
of the
foremost