(SECOND SORTIE) HIGH LEVEL BOMBING ATTACK. LONG AND WIDELY SPACED STICKS ACROSS DUMPS "L"… — Operations

Operational Record

Duty: (Second Sortie) High level bombing attack. Long and widely spaced sticks across Dumps "L" and "M". Alternative target: Dispersed aircraft Gazala No. 2.
Committed: 6 Glenn Martin Maryland
Airborne: 1050 hrs
Returned: 1425 hrs
From: L.G. 021
Map: Target Map 1/415 (Gazala box) Tobruk 1:100,000
Day / night: Day
Casualties: –
Air defences: –

Six aircraft took off at 1250 hours on the second sortie, and S/c for 20 miles South of Fort Madelena and then the inlet at Ain-el-Gazala. The run was made from West to East. Of the first Flight's bombs about seven hit their target "L", the rest being too near the road. No. 2 Flight hit the Northern area of the target "M" with about fifteen bombs, and after an explosion was seen, one fire was started. Ten minutes after leaving the target, two M.E. 109 Fs were seen approaching the formation from the starboard side out of the sun. The one Enemy Fighter opened fire with cannon at about 1000 yards at No. 2 in last formation. Doing an evasive turn, the whole formation swung to starboard and the Fighter then closed on No. 3 in the last Vic, who immediately lost height and dived towards the Coast line near Tobruk, smoke coming from his starboard engine. Two or three cannon shells were seen to hit the Maryland. The M.E stayed on his tail. At this stage the formation was about 30 miles from Tobruk. During this time the 2nd. Enemy Fighter attacked the Leader from the rear. The Leader fired his scatter guns and his top gunner fired about two pans at the enemy aircraft. A rear Gunner in another aircraft then saw black smoke coming from the engine of the Fighter aircraft, which went into a spiral dive, hitting the sea. He saw the splash and white vapour. Both enemy fighters had the following camouflage: Desert colour on tap, bottom dark blue, yellow noses, and yellowish sides with the cross on the fuselage and rudder. The cannon fire was accurate at a great distance. No A/A. About 100 M.T. was seen dispersed at a point 35 miles South West of Fort Madelena. Aircrews saw a fire at Gad-el-Ahear. There appears to be a refuelling depot about 15-20 miles East of the target on the Tobruk road. Missing Aircraft No. 403, Lt. Roulston and crew.