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ILLUSTRIOUS AND CONVOY MW 5½ HEADING FOR MALTA
The main Mediterranean Fleet sailed from Alexandria before dawn today. The aircraft carrier Illustrious plus two battleships and seven destroyers are heading for Souda Bay to refuel before heading for a rendezvous with eastern convoys heading for Malta.
This afternoon a second convoy consisting of the fast transport ship Breconshire and the freighter Clan Macauley sailed from Alexandria with supplies for Malta, escorted by the anti-aircraft cruiser Calcutta and destroyers Defender and Diamond.
DECOY MAIL TO MISLEAD ENEMY
Malta’s Governor and Commander in Chief has suggested a way to mislead enemy intelligence by setting up correspondence to fictitious military units on the Island. The Governor has been informed that on several occasions telegrams addressed to units by name in Malta have been sent in clear by wireless telegraph, including one addressed to: “1 Independent Tank Unit”.
As the enemy may have intercepted these and learned of the arrival of new units, he has suggested to the War Office that a serious of bogus telegrams addressed to units not in Malta be despatched periodically in order to mislead them and possibly convey the impression that the garrison is larger than it actually is.
TROOPS NEED TO KNOW MAIL ARRIVES SAFELY IN UK
Troops in Malta have expressed concern through their commanding officers about the safe transmission of their letters home. Currently bags of mail despatched from Malta by the Army authorities are numbered and addressed to the General Post Office, London. However, no confirmation of receipt arrives in Malta, leaving troops uncertain as to its safe arrival. The War Office has been asked to arrange for notification of the receipt of mail to be sent by cable from the receiving postal authority.
AIR RAIDS DAWN 7 JANUARY TO DAWN 8 JANUARY 1941
Weather Cold and fine.
1455-1500 hrs Air raid alert for enemy aircraft approaching the Island. Delimara Signal Station reports aircraft approaching at 8 miles east but they turn away before crossing the coast.
OPERATIONS REPORTS TUESDAY 7 JANUARY 1941
LUQA 431 Flight: 2 Marylands reconnaissance Catania and Tripoli prevented by bad weather.
8th Bn MANCHESTER REGIMENT A Bren Carrier course started at Ghain Tuffieha camp.
2nd Bn ROYAL WEST KENT REGIMENT A and D Companies Lyon light training.
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