Government Code and Cypher School: Signals Intelligence Passed to the Prime Minister, Messages and Correspondence

A file of signals intelligence reports, messages, and correspondence issued by the Government Code and Cypher School and sent by the head ('C') of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) to the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. This file includes the following reports on North Africa: of Bastico's regrets that he cannot continue to help Rommel with motor transport without jeopardising the withdrawal of the Italian formations on January 24; of the Panzer Army under Rommel's intention to hold the Zuara area until January 27; of Panzer Army rearguards confronting Allied artillery and patrol activity; that the greater part of three Italian divisions was sent to the Mareth position, on January 24; of the Panzer Army's request for a decision on Italian formations for the support of the Mareth position, on January 24; that Rommel requests air reconnaissances; that the Gabes position is considered more suitable than Mareth, as of January 25; that Rommel was informed by Kesselring of Hitler's order to hold the Mareth position in all circumstances, on January 25; of Rommel's order to delay the demolition of Zuara harbour, on January 24; of Rommel's complaint to Kesselring about inadequate air reconnaissances, on January 25; situation reports for Tripolitania and Tunisia for January 25, describing Allied attacks near Azizia and south of Castel Benito being repulsed; an intelligence assessment of an Allied Division advancing from near Ben Ulid; that a further strong attack via Azizia is expected; and an estimation of the Allied forces south east of Tebessa; that the Fliegerfuehrer Africa is to take over the duties of Battle Unit Gabes, on January 28, with a suggestion that the Battle Unit may transfer to Kairouan; on Western Europe: that German Air Force (GAF) units in Norway and Lofoten were alerted to the possible intensification of Allied commando activities, on January 25; on Northern Europe: a GAF report from Lofoten on the reasons for the failure against the recent convoy, with lessons to be learned, and proposals for improvements, on January 26; Naval Headlines of January 25, covering the redeployment of U-boats in the North Atlantic, on January 21-23; and that contact has been lost with a convoy bound for North Russia; that FOIC Libya, Admiral Giartosio's orders for the demolition of Zuara harbour have been postponed following the intervention of Rommel and Bastico; and of defence plans for the Perekop Isthmus; Naval Headlines, covering that the Scharnhorst and Prinz Eugen are to continue their passage in improved weather conditions, on January 25; that Italian convoys are expected in Bizerta, on January 27; and that French submarines arrived in Naples on January 22; this file also includes messages from the Japanese ambassador in Berlin, describing an interview with Hitler, with a discussion on improvement in communications, on January 23; from the Portuguese minister in Washington, forwarding a U.S. official's views on the war in North Africa, and relations among the French; on Swedish reactions to the war; and on the progress of the war in Russia, on January 21; from the Turkish chargé in Kuibyshev, on the extension of the military call-up; and a rumour that German General Staff are retiring from the Caucasus and Don elbow to the Kharkov line with the intention of mustering stiff resistance in Voroshilovgrad, on January 22; and from the Turkish minister in Bucharest, on Bulgarian preparations for a coup d'état, on January 23.