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Operation No. 72

AIRCRAFT AT ALTERNATIVELY :

Friday, 19 December 1941

Over target: 1155 hrs 3 aircraft 12 aircrew

Operational Record

Duty
High level bombing of aircraft at alternatively : 1) Barce. 2) Benina 3) Derna
Committed
3 Glenn Martin Maryland
Airborne
0810 hrs
Returned
1425 hrs
From
L.G. 76
Map
Benghasi 1:500,000
Day / night
Day
Casualties
(21 Squadron) Two Gunners seriously wounded. (12 Squadron) One crew missing. Two Gunners seriously wounded.
Air defences
Fairly intense heavy calibre, but inaccurate.
Results
24 x 250 lbs. = 6000 lbs.
Three machines of ours, led by six of No. 12 Squadron's set off at 1010 hours, for Barce L.G. Very few aircraft were to be seen on the L.G. and the leader decided to carry on to a better target. Coming on to Benina from the North, a large number of aircraft were in evidence, and a run was made on a bearing of 160 deg., from the Satellite North of the hangars. At each extremity of this run (N.N.W. and S.S.E) a concentration of poorly dispersed aircraft was covered by a large number of bursts, and much damage must have been caused. COMBAT On passing over Barce, three fighters were observed under the formation. Immediately after bombing at Benina, four 109Fs attacked from astern. No. 2 of port vic (12 Squadron) was shot down, three of this crew being seen to bale out. Immediately afterwards No. 3 of rear vic (21 Squadron) was attacked, and both Gunners were put out of action. No. 2 was hit in one engine and elsewhere, and then the 109 turned on to No. 1 attacking out of the sun and closing to 60 yards. Both the rear gunners got in good bursts, and the 109, after flying with one wing down, dived steeply and hit the ground nose-in. During the initial stage of the scrap, the bottom Gunner took oblique photos of the target, and the Pilot was kept well informed of events. Our No. 3 left the formation on the way home, owing to shortage of fuel, and landed at El Adem, where the two wounded Gunners were immediately taken to hospital. Nos. 1 and 2 after landing to report at Sidi Rezegh, returned to L.G. 76.

Aircraft and crews