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Operation No. 22

BENGHASI: HIGH LEVEL BOMBING, STORES, HANGARS AND DUMPS, NORTH WEST CORNER BERKA AERODROME

Wednesday, 5 November 1941

Over target: 1210 hrs 6 aircraft 16 aircrew

Operational Record

Duty
Benghasi: High level bombing, stores, hangars and Dumps, North West corner Berka Aerodrome
Committed
6 Glenn Martin Maryland
Airborne
0555 hrs
Returned
1440 hrs
From
L.G. 021
Map
Target Map B./2
Day / night
Day
Casualties
–
Air defences
Very heavy over target area.
After refuelling at L.G. 75, 6 Marylands set out for Benghasi. The route followed was somewhat South of the Harbour. On the approach, owing to a thick cloud cover, it was necessary to come down to 15000 ft. In spite of intense A/A, the presence of Enemy Fighters and iced up windows, a perfect run up was made. Practically every bomb fell in the target area, and the apparent results included two large explosions, and the fires; After studying the photos in relation to the information supplied, there can be little doubt that very great damage must have been inflicted. Immediately on leaving the target, 2 C.R. 42s attacked. These two Fighters flying wide of the formation, had been in attendance since the Marylands first crossed the sea. A running fight ensued for about fifteen miles, enemy being reinforced by another C.R. 42 and three 109s. Various types of attack were delivered, but the favourite was from the beam, and dead astern. The tactics appeared to be, for one, or two 42s to draw fire from the rear Gunners, and then for a 109 to make a quick beam or quarter attack. Repeated attacks were made, over a period of six or seven minutes. The Gunners all gave a very good account of themselves, and all three 42s were seen to be hit repeatedly. One, which presented a non deflection shot, was undoubtedly shot down - last seen spinning near the ground. It is highly probable that another was sent down, but with other attacks developing, continuous observation was impossible. "Scare guns" were used to good effect and all the Pilots got fleeting bursts with their front armament. One gunner reports seeing a blazing aircraft on the ground, when some distance away. During the scrap, one of our Marylands fell away, and was seen to be on fire - port engine and rear gunners cockpit. It went down apparently under control, in an easy glide. Two black objects were seen to leave, but no parachutes were observed. The five Marylands were all hit by A/A, and/or bullets and cannon shells. Four returned to their base, and the fifth more seriously damaged, landed at L.G. 75.

15,000ft.

Aircraft and crews