Page 1795
CONFIDENTIAL
NAVY DEPARTMENT
Office of Chief of Naval Operations
Office of Naval Intelligence
Washington
CONFIDENTIAL Copy No.
83Serial No. 24November 15, 1941
FORTNIGHTLY SUMMARY OF CURRENT NATIONAL SITUATIONS
(Information concerning Anti-Axis Belligerents is omitted from this publication due to its wide dissemination by mail.)
Because of the CONFIDENTIAL
nature of the sources from which some of the information embodied in the text
of this publication issues, and because of the CONFIDENTIAL channels through
which it is transmitted to the Division of Naval Intelligence, it is
appropriate to invite particular attention to the CONFIDENTIAL character of
this publication.
T. S. WilkinsonCaptain, U. S.
NavyDirectory of Naval Intelligence
CONFIDENTIAL
Page 1796
CONFIDENTIAL
Serial
No. 24December 1, 1941
Fortnightly
Summary of Current National Situations
A. The Diplomatic
Situation
1. Japan
The approaching crisis in
United States-Japanese relations over-shadowed all other developments in the
Far East during the period.
Saburo Kurusu, former
Japanese Ambassador to Berlin, is flying to Washington with compromise Japanese
proposals. No one apparently expects his mission to succeed, the envoy himself
reportedly expressing extreme pessimism. American spokesmen, including
Secretary Knox, have indicated that the United States will not budge from her
position. Prime Minister Churchill warned that if war breaks out between Japan
and America, Britain will declare war on Japan "within the hour." The
United States is preparing to withdraw the marine detachments from China. The
Japanese press continued to rail at Britain and the United States.
Japan protested to Panama
against treatment of Japanese subjects in Panamanian territory. Panama rejected
the protest. Japan also protested to Russia against floating mines in the sea
of Japan which sank a Japanese passenger vessel in Korean waters.
Russia and Japan reached
agreement on demarcation of the Mongolia-Manchukuo border in the Lake Buir Nor
area.
2. Germany
In accordance with
tradition, Hitler returned with prominent members of his Party to the
Buergerbraeukeller in Munich on November 8, 1941, to celebrate the 18th
anniversary of the Beer Hall Putsch. In his speech, Hitler declared that he had
ordered the German Navy to fire on American ships only after being attacked.
Orders have been issued, however, to torpedo any ships carrying war materials
to Britain.
In a recent magazine
article, Dr. Goebbels tells the German people that it is comparatively
unimportant when the war will end and all-important how it will end. The
article is calculated to steel the nation to endure further hardships and to be
prepared for a continuation
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of military effort for an indefinite
period. The New York Times calls the article "a rare concession of
the possibility of defeat."
It has been reported that
eighty per cent of the Iranians are pro-Axis and would welcome German
intervention as a means of securing liberation from Russian and British
control.
Karl Schnurre, Minister in
the German Foreign Office, returned to Stockholm early in November. His return
was followed by a report that Sweden had acceded to the wishes of the Reich and
would not permit ten Norwegian vessels in Swedish ports to be returned to
Norwegian owners.
Germany is pressing Bulgaria
to assume police duties in Serbia and thus release the two or three German
divisions engaged in putting down the Serbian uprisings.
Construction of a new
highway and railroad line between Hamburg and Copenhagen, via the Islands of
Fehmern and Laaland, has been commenced. This new line will shorten the
distance between Copenhagen and Hamburg by more than eighty kilometers and will
reduce travel time materially between the two cities.
3. Italy
The Brazilian Foreign Office
announced on November 7th that the proposal for the purchase of Italian ships
in Brazilian ports had been accepted by Italy. Eight ships are involved in the
transaction for which Italy will receive a non-negotiable credit in the Bank of
Brazil, which, when the war ends, will be liquidated, no transfer of funds
being involved. The CONTE GRANDE, 23,861 tons, and three other Italian vessels,
which have not discharged their original cargoes, were not included in the
proposal.
On October 31st, the
Yugoslav vessel TOMISLAV, which has been at Shanghai since April, was boarded
and seized by a company of Italian Marines. The master and crew members were
threatened with pistols and forced to abandon the ship and their personal
effects. This is the second incident involving the vessel, the first occurring
last April when the Italians seized the ship, claiming it had been
[2]
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purchased by Lloyd
Triestino. This attempt failed, however, when the Japanese intervened. Since
the second seizure, the Italians have been busy removing the last vestiges of
Yugoslav ownership and the funnel is being repainted with the colors of Lloyd
Triestino. In connection with the reported purchase of the vessel by Italian
interests, a Japanese naval spokesman stated that under the Chinese Maritime
code, the transfer of the vessel would not be valid unless it was duly
registered with the Chinese Government.
Because of the intolerable
conditions existing in Croatia, the Duke of Spoleto (King Aimone of Croatia)
has abdicated the throne of that country.
4. France
The reprisal executions of
Frenchmen, followed by Marshall Petain's appeal to the people, appear to have
had the desired result, the only recent act of terrorism being the suspected
sabotage of an Orleans passenger train in a Paris station. Little progress has
been made in Franco-German collaboration, however, and it is reported that
Adolph Hitler has become dissatisfied with what he characterizes as the "ambiguous"
attitude of the Vichy government. It is thought that under renewed German
pressure France must agree both to military and naval collaboration in French
Africa and to the early retirement of General Weygand from his North African
command. This latter demand has the support of Admiral Darlan and Minister of
the Interior Pucheu. Petain, attempting to gain time, sent General Huntziger,
Minister of War, to Africa to make a survey of local opinion, but it is felt
that the Marshal must yield eventually and agree to Weygand's recall. De Leuss,
personal representative of Weygand in Vichy, already has been removed from his
post.
(Note: General Huntziger was
killed in a plane crash on November 12, 1941, while returning to Vichy from
this mission to Africa.)
Indications point to an
increase of German activity in Tunisia. Two reputedly Rumanian engineers have
been in that colony making surveys of the general terrain, highways, bridges,
etc., and the French Resident General, Admiral Esteva, has gone to Vichy for consultations.
[3]
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The Vichy Government has
announced that French Somaliland officials had agreed to negotiate with the
British regarding the use of the port of Djibuti and the railroad linking the port
of Addis Ababa. However, Colonial Secretary Admiral Platon, after a hurried
trip to Djibuti, stated that the harbor works and railroad would be blown up
before the port was surrendered to the British.
Diplomatic relations have
been competed by the United States with Great Britain for sending a $1,000,000
Red Cross cargo of milk, clothing and medicines to unoccupied France.
Arrangements still must be completed with Germany and Italy for safe conduct of
the vessel.
The Vichy government has
protested to London against the capture of a convoy of five French merchant
vessels en route to Madagascar from France. The British action was believed
based on the possibility that the vessels carried tin and rubber from French
Indo-China destined for the Nazis. Vichy, however, denies that there was
contraband aboard. The 4,578-ton freighter SENNEVILLE was reported damaged by
Royal Air Force planes on November 3, while in Tunisian territorial waters.
It has been reported that
the BB RICHELIEU is now looked upon as one of the fixed defenses of Dakar and
that there is no intention of having it undergo trial runs.
5. Latin America
Mexico
The Mexican Government
apparently is attempting to take advantage of the desire to eliminate all existing
differences between the United States and Mexico quickly, in order to force
acceptance of a settlement on the oil companies. Various high officials of the
Mexican Government have issued thinly-veiled threats to the oil companies to
agree to the negotiated settlement, "or else."
Reports have been received
of several Supreme Court decisions which indicate a conservative trend. One
decision held that an expropriation of property was in violation of
constitutional guarantees in that no payment.
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was made of "prompt and
fair compensation." This is considered as another indication of government
trend away from the leftist policy of the Cardenas administration, as the
Supreme Court usually reflects the views of the administration, its decisions
being in effect dictated by the executive.
Conservatism is gradually
replacing the former communistic policies in the Department of Education, under
the new Minister, Bejar Vasquez.
Acceptance of policies regarded
as desirable by the United States is apparently greatly impeded by the presence
in high governmental posts of officials under Axis influence or motivated by
Anti-American sentiments.
Four hundred additional
Spanish refugees from Casablanca, Morocco, among them Alcala Zamora,
ex-President of Republican Spain, are expected in Vera Cruz.
Sinarquismo and Accion
Nacional, two fascist organizations attaining significant strength and numbers,
which are apparently under Nazi influence exerted both directly and through the
Falange and Spanish-dominated members of the Catholic clergy, constitute a
potential danger to internal order in Mexico and to Mexican-United States
relations. If recent information that such figures as ex-President Portes Gil
and Abelardo Rodriguer, and many other influential Mexicans, are working behind
the scenes in these organizations, proves correct, the danger is even more
serious than had previously been thought.
Guatemala
German propaganda has
effectively use Guatemalan economic problems arising from blacklisting of
German coffee producers to produce friction between President Ubico and the
American Legation. A campaign to discredit the American Military Mission, and
have it replaced by a Spanish Mission has been started, but little success has
been noted.
Costa Rica
Under discussion, according
to a recent report, is legislation to permit the registry under Costa Rican
flag of American merchant vessels. Little opposition has
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appeared, and sentiment
trends toward permitting the arming of such vessel. Foreign Minister Echandi of
Costa Rica, only pro-German cabinet member, went to Panama, apparently to
secure permission of that country for ex-President Arnulfo Arias to live in
Costa Rica.
Panama
Arnulfo Arias is now in
Mexico City. It is reported that he has been offered refuge in Canada, provided
that he stays for a minimum of three months. It is doubted that he will accept
this offer, as most of his feminine contacts appear to be in Latin America, a
factor which has radically influenced his movements hitherto.
The new government in Panama
is still somewhat under the control of the national revolutionary party
organized by Arnulfo Arias, and contains a number of high officials friendly to
Arias, which inspires some doubts as to continuous satisfactory cooperation
from the new regime.
Anibal Rios proposes to
return to Panama to assert his claim as third designate to the Panamanian
presidency.
Colombia
A committee of the Colombian
Legislature published on November 9 a report on the American Black List and
specified that the report itself should be brought to the attention of the
foreign officers of the other American Republics. The report is said to have
asserted that the United States Government criticized the Black List in the
World War as being in violation of the law of nations, and implied that bribery
and espionage by foreign service officials were involved in the compilation of
the Black List and that the lists themselves are based on acquisitive
ambitions.
Ecuador
Ecuador has agreed to allow
American naval vessels to operate from her waters, but has not publicized the
agreement, merely stating that patrols by United States vessels in Ecuadorean
waters had been authorized.
[6]
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Chile
The President of Chile
requested leave of absence due to illness, and designated Jeronimo Mendez, head
of the Radical Party, as Acting Vice President to administer the executive
power in his absence. The Radical Party is the largest element in the Popular
Front Government which elected Aguirre Cerda to power. Upon first receiving
news of the change it was feared that the Popular Front would be broken up by
secession of the Communists, or that the new Vice President would swing so far
to the right as to side with the Nazi Conservatives, inasmuch as his Radical
Party is the middle of the road element and farther to the right than any other
part of the Popular Front which supports the present government. However, as
the Communist press has registered approval of the change and recommends
increased watchfulness against the Rightist conspiracies of the Nazis, while
Conservative members of the legislature have attacked the Acting President, it
is believed that the Popular Front will remain intact and Acting President
Mendez will not favor the Nazi-dominated Conservatives. Therefore, it would
appear that the change would result in greater unity of the forces opposed to
Nazism.
Peru
Dr. Rafael Larco Herrera,
Vice President of Peru, arrived by plane from Rio in Buenos Aires on November
11. It seems significant that he has visited on his current trip the three
countries which offered their good offices to re-establish peace between Peru
and Ecuador. It is reported that he intends to remain several days in Buenos
Aires and confer with Acting President Castillo, the Foreign Minister, and
other prominent officials. Vice President Larco provides a democratic
window-dressing for Peru to cover up the "behind the scenes" totalitarian
methods employed against Ecuador. It appears reasonable to suppose that by his
current visit to the three countries offering to mediate in the dispute, that
he is trying to discover what fate lies in store for Peru in case mediation is
force upon her. Mexico was probably the first country to suggest that step be
taken against Peru due to her invasion of Ecuadorean territory. It is
interesting to recollect that Mexico dispatched her Minister to Panama on a
swing around the circle of South American capitals immediately after the
expropriation of the oil fields, probably in order to ascertain what would be
the result if consultation were invoked against Mexico.
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Indications are not lacking
that now, as then, consultation of the other American nations would result in
severe criticism of the "aggressor" nation.
Argentina
Brazilian Foreign Minister
Aranha arrived in Buenos Aires by plane from Rio November 11. Recurrent rumors have
been heard that Brazil has been successful in efforts to draw closer to herself
her immediate neighbors in a net work of alliances that might be used to exert
pressure on Argentina. Argentine official circles do not appear disturbed,
however, but say they are fully informed as to what Brazil is doing and see no
reason for alarm.
Argentine naval circles are
disturbed by fears that the elevation of Dr. Mendez to the Acting Presidency in
Chile will obstruct joint Argentine-Chilean defense of the Straits of Magellan.
Paraguay
Paraguay has recently had
several small naval vessels operating in the combined maneuvers with the
Argentina fleet, and Argentina has offered to send a naval mission to Paraguay.
The offer is still under consideration, with good prospects of being accepted.
Brazil
Foreign Minister Aranha was
quoted on November 11 at Porto Alegre as saying that Brazil would not remain
neutral if another American nation entered the war. He said, according to the
newspaper, "We are, and wish to be, Pan Americanists. We follow the
American way. We go along with America's fortunes." Despite these public
declarations, he is opposed to the placement of certain Brazilian firms on the
Black List and has forbidden temporarily the publication of the latest edition
of the Black List in Brazil. He is also at odds with Pan American Airways,
probably due to what he considers lack of cooperation in furnishing
transportation when desired for his family and his present trip to Chile. News
reports from Chile state that he was received most enthusiastically upon his
arrival there.
[8]
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Current action of the
Brazilian Government in facilitating use of Brazilian airports by American
planes and by reinforcing garrisons in northern Brazil, indicate that President
Vargas has decided definitely to throw his influence to Pan American
cooperation. The opposition may become desperate, however, and cause open
disorders as a result.
Trends
Military and Naval
There is a marked trend
towards military and naval cooperation by the southern countries of South
America for mutual defence of their territories. This is exemplified by the
joint maneuvers of the Paraguayan and Argentine navies and the plans for joint
Argentine-Chilean defense of the Straits of Magellan.
Economic
The economic trend is toward
increased interchange of commodities between South American countries in an
effort to supply the necessities and dispose of the surpluses amongst
themselves. There appear to be much hope for considerable success in this
direction as, surprisingly enough, in normal times the tendency was to export
and obtain manufactured articles in return from Europe, but little commerce was
conducted among themselves. Now it has been found that many of the articles formerly
obtained from Europe can be obtained from neighboring South American countries
which produce them. When projected improvements in communications between South
American countries are completed, still further economic interchange will
become possible.
Totalitarian Penetration
Arnulfo Arias, ex-President
of Panama, while in Managua manifested a strong desire to get in communication
with a German General in Argentina. This would indicate that Arias also had
been involved in contacts with Germans in Argentina, as had the Honduran
exiles, to whom Ambassador von Thermann had promised assistance in the
contemplated revolt against the present government of Honduras. Fernando Gomez
Ayau, Guatemalan police official lent to Panama as Chief of Arias' secret police,
has been mentioned in connection with a project to secure arms for the Honduran
exiles. It now appears that Arias may have been aware of this and a party to
the plot, though the possibility exists that he had requested German aid
against the U. S. in Panama.
[9]
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B. The Japanese Military
Situation
Reports of Japanese strength
in Indo-China ranged from 43,500 to 120,000. It is believed that actually there
are about 60,000 Japanese troops in Indo-China, which number is being increased
slowly. China fears an attack on Yunnan, and Thailand fears attack. Both
governments are attempting to obtain British-U.S. military (particularly air)
support. It does not appear that Japan is yet strong enough in Indo-China to
attack Yunnan or even Thailand.
C. The Japanese Naval
Situation
The Combined Fleet remains
in home waters, nearly in full force in the Inland Sea. The only large
combatant vessels believed immobilized are the HARUNA (BB) and TAKAO (CA). The
Fleet aircraft units, which are sent to southern Formosa about two weeks ago,
have been returned to home waters. Thus no major units are now off their
regular stations.
With troop transports and
cargo vessels continuously moving down to Indo-China ports small naval craft
are providing escort. There is, however, no indication of any large naval
concentration at present in any area.
Naval aircraft in Indo-China
are being augmented. These aircraft are being drawn not only from Hainan and
China coast bases, but probably also from units normally shore-based in Japan.
Accurate numbers are not available.
A naval guard ship is now
stationed in the Tsugaru Straits which challenges all maritime traffic passing
through the straits.
The IZUMO, a converted
aircraft carrier, originally laid down as a passenger liner of 27,000 gross
tons, was launched in Kobe on October 30. New construction in general remains
slow due to lack of materials but evidence is becoming stronger that one
battleship will be completed very soon.
An increasing number of
merchant vessels are being requisitioned by the Navy since the disruption of
Japan's overseas trade. It is believed that all merchant tankers are being
armed with two guns each.
D. The Chinese Military
Situation
Japanese troops evacuated
Chengchow, Honan, which city they recently captured. Skirmishing occurred at
scattered points in north China and Suiyan, along the Yangtze, near Shanghai,
and near Canton.
[10]
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The Soviet government has informed
Chungking that no more Russian war materials can be shipped to China.
E. The German Military
and Air Situations
1. Military
Strength
No new information regarding
the strength of the German Army has been received since the last Fortnightly Summary.
Distribution
No new information regarding
the over-all distribution of the German Army has been received since the last
Fortnightly Summary.
Operations
There has been no decisive
change in the relative positions of the opposing armies along the Russian
front. The Russian apparently have held their lines with success practically
everywhere, except in the Crimea.
Finnish Sector - To date all
Finnish-German attempts to reach the Murmansk-Leningrad Railway in the Murmansk
and Kandalaksha sectors have been frustrated. West of Murmansk the Germans were
again driven back to the Litza River. A renewed Finnish-German thrust is
rumored to have gotten underway, aiming to cut this rail line at, or below,
Kandalaksha. There are, as yet, no definite indications as to the progress of
this effort.
Due to their failures in
northern Finland, the Germans are now reported to have detailed a group of
their army officers to take instructions in winter and forest warfare at the
(Finnish) Linsey Military School.
Except for a limited advance
up along the Murmansk Railway to a point approximately 90 miles north of
Potroznvodsk, operations in Eastern Karelia were practically at a standstill.
Off the western shore of the Karelian Isthmus, the Finns were reported to have
recaptured Koivisto Island fortress and other small islands in the Gulf of
Finland. Hangoe is still under siege.
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North-Central Sector - The siege of Leningrad continues.
Both Russians and Germans claim to have repelled one another's attacks. A
reliable source reports famine conditions inside Leningrad. A move to cut off a
Soviet route of supply to the city (via the Vologda railway to Ladoga, and via
this lake to the city) was undertaken by the Germans. Moving eastward from
their bridgeheads across the Volkhov River, German forces were reported to have
seized the rail junction of Tichvin last week (about 100 miles ESE of
Leningrad. The Soviets partially confirmed this move when they claimed to have
stopped German attacks 25 miles south of Tichvin.
Central Sector - The basic situation
around Moscow appears to have remained unchanged during the past two to three
weeks. After considerable fighting, the front appears to have been stabilized
in the Kalinin area. At Volokolamsk successive Russian counter-attacks are said
(by the Soviets) to have resulted in the encircling of German forces of
considerable size. From Mozhaisk, through Nara-Fominsk, Maloyaroslavets and Scrpuhkov,
to the region about Tula, heavy fighting apparently has failed to make much of
an impression on the Soviet defenses. The Germans denied a report that their
forces had captured Tula.
Southern Sector - Little detailed
information on operations along the front from Orel to Rostov has been
received. While minor territorial gains may have been made by the Germans and
their Allies, no further cities or areas of prime importance are known to have
been lost by the Russians. It is quite possible, however, that the Germans have
been busy preparing another major offensive, designed to carry them to the Don,
or perhaps lower Volga Rivers.
Crimean Sector - Considerably gains were
made by the German forces invading the Crimea. Simferopol, Theodosia and Yalta
have fallen, and the defending Red land forces split and driven back in the
directions of Sevastopol and Kerch. The Red Black Sea Fleet was forced to
abandon its Sevastopol operating base. Severe fighting is now in progress on
the Kerch Peninsula, and on the outskirts of Sevastopol.
South-East - Full load German trucks
have been reported moving into Bulgaria. This may indicate ammunition and
equipment for a possible German Caucasus thrust to be launched from Bulgarian
shores. According to the latest reports, three German division are now reported
stationed in Bulgaria.
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The total mobilized strength
of the Bulgarian Army now is reported to have reached 270,000 men, including
6,000 now in process of mobilization. Two Nazi SS Divisions, hitherto assigned
to the forces of occupation in Yugoslavia, are now reported being relieved by
Bulgarian Army units. It is not known where the two SS Divisions are to be
sent.
South - An unconfirmed report
states that the Germans are organizing four light armored and 10 motorized
divisions for tropical service. Another report claims that 150,000 young German
Army recruits are being trained and acclimated fro tropical service in the
Bordeaux-Hendaye area.
A reliable source reports
the transit of German colonial forces to Italy, estimated at 8 divisions. A
recent unconfirmed report from supposedly reliable sources claims that German
forces in North Africa have been increased from 40,000 to 70,000 men. Light
tank units are also said to have been moved into Greece by way of Yugoslavia,
for eventual transportation by plane to Libya.
2. Naval
Distribution
Name |
Ship |
Date |
Location |
TIRPITZ |
BB |
November
9 |
Kiel |
SCHARNHORST |
BB |
October
27 |
Brest |
GNEISENAU |
BB |
October
27 |
Brest |
SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN |
OBB |
November
9 |
Hamburg |
SCHLESIEN |
OBB |
October
7 |
Central
Baltic |
GRAF
ZEPPELIN |
CV |
October
12 |
Departed
Stettin |
ADMIRAL
SCHEER |
CA |
November
7 |
Swinemunde |
LUETZOW |
CA |
November
9 |
Kiel |
SEYDLITZ |
CA |
October
12 |
Bremen |
PRINZ
EUGEN |
CA |
October
27 |
Brest |
ADMIRAL
HIPPER |
CA |
October
17 |
Off
Sassnitz |
NUERNBERG |
CL |
November
5 |
One
of these two off Sassnitz; location of other unknown. |
LEIPZIG |
CL |
November
5 |
|
KOELN |
CL |
September
29 |
Gdynia |
EMDEN |
CL |
November
9 |
Kiel |
4
Units |
DD |
September
24 |
Northern
Norway |
1
Unit |
DD |
September
24 |
Bergen |
5-7
Units |
DD |
September
24 |
In
the Baltic |
3
Units |
DD |
September
24 |
North
Sea ports |
2
Units |
DD |
October
24 |
Cherbourg |
Remaining
Units |
DD |
- |
Unknown |
150
Units (estimated) |
SS |
- |
Operating
out of German, Norwegian and French Atlantic ports. |
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Operations
Two German submarines are
now reported to be operating in the Aegean. German naval off-shore patrols in
Greek waters are said to be have been increased.
On November 4, some 1,100
German naval seamen were reported stationed at Naples. Hotel Bopcadile on Ponypyazza
Baccadileone, Rome, is now German submarine headquarters, which will control
German submarines now entering the Mediterranean.
3. Air
Strength and Disposition
No further information
regarding German overall plane strength and production has been received since
distribution of the last Fortnightly Summary.
A reliable report just
received put Nazi air strength in the Mediterranean, on October 21, at:
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CONFIDENTIAL
|
Bombers |
Dive
Bombers |
Fighters |
Reconnaissance |
Coastal
Aircraft |
Cyrenaica |
30 |
70 |
80 |
10 |
- |
S.
Greece |
80 |
- |
- |
25 |
- |
Crete |
- |
20 |
10 |
- |
25 |
Sicily |
- |
- |
10 |
- |
- |
The total number of German planes
available in the Mediterranean area is estimated at 380.
Operations
West - No substantial change in
German air operations has been noted since distribution of the last Fortnightly
Summary.
Eastern Front - There is reason to infer that
the Nazis may be getting ready to curtail operations along the Moscow section
of the front during the winter.
A shortage of gasoline at
forward stations of German fighter commands is holding up fighter operations
around Rostov. These forward stations are supplied by air transport.
The strength of German close
support forces has been kept up well. Replacements have been made available to
those units, several of which have gone into action above their normal
strength.
Though Nazi losses in the
war with Russia as regards most equipment and material have not been overly
severe, this done not apply to the loss of German aircraft which has been
serious.
From German sources come the
following claims of air action.
(1) Finns sank Russian troop
ship and hit PT in the Gulf of Finland.
(2) Raids on the Caucasus
area.
(3) During week ending
November 9:
1 warship sunk
17 transports sunk
2 warships
damaged
29 merchantmen damaged
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CONFIDENTIAL
Mediterranean - No information of a
change in the basic air situation has been received since the last Fortnightly
Summary.
Personalities - Germany's No. 1 flyer,
Lieutenant Colonel Moeldors, until recently in Russia, has been sent to Greece
and Crete to assume charge of large scale operations against the Suez Canal,
Alexandria and the British Mediterranean Fleet, according to a recent report.
The Flying Corps of
Lieutenant General Flugbeil is reported taking part in the offensive in the
Crimea.
[16]
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CONFIDENTIAL
F. Italian Military,
Naval and Air Situations
1. Military
Libya
No unusual military
operations have taken place in the Western Desert area. Patrol activities
continue and there are indications that the Axis have increased substantially their
forces in recent weeks.
East Africa
British forces in Abyssinia
have encountered some opposition from native forces who have been harassing
their line of communications along the Sardo-Dessie road. Lately the natives
shifted to the northwest toward Alomato and communications have been
reestablished.
Recently three Italian
battalions were moved out of the Gorgora-Ceiga sector west of Gondar, eastward
of the line Meldiba-Deva.
Russian Front
Four Black Shirt battalions
entrained at Rome on November 3 for the Russian front. These were specially
selected men who have recently undergone a period of special training in Italy
so that their technical-military efficiency is at present considered high. The
force wears the insignia "M" and are known as the "Mussolini
Battalions". The greater part of them are veterans of the Italian
campaigns in East Africa, Spain and Greece.
The many reports of
1,000,000 men, 350,000 men, 25 divisions, etc., being sent to Russia, can be
boiled down to the 4 divisions already at the Front, the above token Black
Shirt force and the 4 divisions earmarked, which may or may not actually leave.
2. Naval
On the night of November
8/9, an Italian convoy, consisting of ten merchant ships and an escort of 2 10,000-ton,
8-inch gun, TRENTO class cruisers and 4 destroyers, was attacked by a British
naval force of
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CONFIDENTIAL
two light cruisers and two
destroyers. In the ensuing action, nine Italian merchant ships were sunk, a
tanker left burning and abandoned, and two Italian destroyers were sunk. On the
following night, a British submarine sank one destroyer and damaged another,
east of Messina.
The badly damaged Italian
battleship CAVOUR is now in the water off the Eastern Drydock Arsenal of Lloyd
Trestino at Trieste. The 10,000-ton cruiser BALZANO, which was damaged
seriously in August, is now undergoing repairs at Genoa. The battleships
LITTORIO and VITTORIO VENETO are still at Naples and the DORIA and DUILIO are
at Taranto. The light cruiser EUGENIO DI SAVOIA is at La Spezia undergoing
overhaul. Of the twenty-three submarines which were basing recently at
Bordeaux, only six are left, the balance having returned to Italy.
3. Air
The latest disposition of the
Italian Air Force is as follows:
Type Libya Aegean Balkans Sardinia Total
Fighters 230 40 110 60 440
Bombers
60 16 25
50 151
Torpedo Bombers
10
10
Bomber
Reconnaissance 50 40
20 110
Dive Bombers
20
20
Reconnaissance
30 80 10 120
Transport
25
25
TOTAL 425 96 215 140 876
**Serviceability 60%
[18]
(FROM: EXHIBITS OF
THE JOINT COMMITTEE, PHA, PT. 15, EXHIBIT NO. 80 PP. 1774-1836 )