Situation Report

Page 5 of a Special Operations Executive (SOE) wartime report headed “MALAYA (Sitreps 25 July to 6 August),” summarizing Force 136 activities in Malaya in late July and early August 1945. The report refers to appendices detailing personnel and operational locations and acknowledges discrepancies in previously reported figures. Between 24 July and 6 August, 50 of 79 attempted air sorties for Force 136 were successful, including 12 supporting Operation CARPENTER. Poor weather, cloud cover and reduced aircraft availability complicated operations. The report also notes restrictions on bombing support, particularly in the CARPENTER area. It records new instructions directing Force 136 parties to concentrate on gathering intelligence, plans to deploy personnel from Operation CROCODILE to the Riouw and Lingga archipelagoes, and contact with the HEBRIDES/VENUS network in Kelantan.
The document illustrates the logistical difficulties, changing priorities and operational coordination involved in Force 136 missions during the final weeks of the Second World War.