M.T. AND A.F.V.'S IN AREA BOUNDED BY FOLLOWING PINPOINTS EL-ADEM AREA 403407, 403408,… — Operations

Operational Record

Duty: Medium level bombing M.T. and A.F.V.'s in area bounded by following pinpoints El-Adem area 403407, 403408, 420410, 405420, 383480, 383507.
Committed: 9 Glenn Martin Maryland
Airborne: 0525 hrs
Returned: 0750 hrs
From: L.G. 76
Map: Salum - Tobruk 1:250,000
Day / night: Day
Casualties: –
Air defences: Light pom pom from El-Adem buildings.
Results: 72 x 250 lbs. = 18000 lbs. Height 3500 ft.

Nine Marylands of 21 Squadron, followed by nine of 12 Squadron were led by the Commanding Officer of 21 Squadron on a very successful raid on a large concentration of M.T. and A.F.V.'s in the El-Adem area. The target area was a large one, but the weather condition made it necessary to do a wide detour Northwards before approaching the target from the East. Flying along the narrow end of the target - the eight miles of the Trigh Capuzzo East of El-Adem, several bombs were released at groups of M.T. buildings and M.T. At El-Adem from which considerable A.A. fire was in action, then received attention. A tremendous explosion resulted in the extinction of one of the L.G. buildings, and direct hits on other buildings caused a large fire , with black smoke. After flying along the Trigh Capuzzo, the large rectangular target area East of El-Adem was then traversed in a right hand circle, and individual targets were selected. Particularly good ones were seen of 402415 and 405413 - large poorly dispersed groups of M.T. and A.F.V.'s - and almost all bursts were observed to be right amongst them. This area - between the escarpments and all around the bend in the road - contained at least 500 vehicles, not well dispersed - and the 40 bombs dropped in this vicinity must have caused a very great deal of damage. This target was immediately reported by W/T. Observers noted: about 40 tents in wadis at 437410, 150 M.T. in target area East of El-Adem; 10 large tanks heading South at 420405; much gunfire and movement in grid square 4239 and 4339. At the conclusion of what must be considered a particularly successful raid, the performance of the Tomahawk escort planes was most favourably commented on by all crews - and especially with regard to the quick 'cover' given whenever a Maryland detached itself from the main formation.