Enemy Behaviour on 26 Jan 1942

Remnants of 1st Armoured Division, which had been defeated on 25 January at and south of Msus have apparently retreated via the line el Gharruba – el Abiar. In this line cover from 5th Indian Brigade, lying south of Barce. 7th Indian Infantry Brigade, placed south of Benghazi, has pushed mobile combat groups forward into the line Sceleidima – Solluch – Ghemines. According to aerial reconnaissance, reinforcements are being brought into Cyrenaica.

Radio interception reports on 25 January for the first time appearance of 1st Light French Division in the area west of Derna. In the area of Mechili only a weak enemy group has been detected.

According to an intercepted radio communication, an enemy advance from the area of Benghazi in south-easterly direction is intended in case of further German advance into the direction of Mechili. On the other hand there is noticeable strong disagreement amongst British commands due to the recent defeat. Due to this it is not possible to exclude an evacuation of Benghazi in the coming days.