English Translation

84 Division IV Strictly confidential! Radio group Only for personal use of radio and light service! To destroy on your own responsibility! /§ 353 cRStGB/. M B e r i c h t e of 14 and 15 December 1940. $.d.d 14.12.1940: .21/12.40. SENDER LONDON /English/: Cairo communiqué: According to official findings, the number of Italian prisoners of war has now risen to 26,oo man. In the western desert, our forces continue the advance march and drive the enemy before them, the Italians tried to organize a resistance at the Libyan border to avoid complete dissolution. The cleaning of the huge battlefield makes further progress.The number of prisoners is constantly increasing. Guns, tanks, etc. were captured. In the rest of the region, our faults are constantly continuing. Yesterday, the Air Force launched an attack on Tobruk, as well as Bardia. A rapporteur from the western desert gives a general overview of the British operations: the plan was carried out without disturbance. The Italians relied on Sidi Barani and the small position Macdillah. Further south on a field fortification. Also on the strong position Sofati. The small fortified position Macdillaj was attacked from the south to beat or capture the Italians there. At Nibeiva infantry attacked with tanks and rubbed there the Maletti column, which has the strength of a division. General Meletti was killed. Then the same Indian regiments attacked Sidi Barani. West Tumar and half East Tumar were occupied in the evening, General Pescatore was captured. Sofati was evacuated, but the troops were intercepted. The fleet supported the Operatiojen and shot down the coast. In Albania the Greeks are making further progress. They are already 25 km north of Santi Quearante along the coast. The Italians have called for reinforcements for Chimara, At Tepelini fierce fights. The Swedish press calls the British Erfo,g as decisive for the war. Italy is very worried about Germany. However, it is not assumed that German troops will be sent to Libya after all. An invasion of German troops in Italy would increase the anti-war mood of the Italians, as the conviction prevails that Italin must now wage war for Germany anyway. A German offensive is expected abroad in the spring. Meanwhile Hitler will make diplomatic Rrxwskx attempts. From Berlin, it leaks that an economic pact with Russia is being considered. This will hardly give the Germans any more courage. In England, they were expected to do so. -2