M.T. BETWEEN POINT 6 MILES EAST OF MARBLE ARCH TO GRID 40 — Operations

Operational Record

Target: M.T. between point 6 miles East of Marble Arch to Grid 40.
Duty: M.T. on road from point 6 miles East of MARBLE ARCH.
Committed: 18 Glenn Martin Baltimore
Time of attack: 1450 hrs (L.T.)
Airborne: 1011 hrs
Returned: 1301 hrs
From: Solluch
Map: 1:250,000 Agheila Sheet 8
Day / night: Day
Casualties: Baltimore AH 151 Category 1. 6 other aircraft holed, two Category 1. F/Sgt. FELTON, L.J. 207191 (W.O.P.) killed by A.A. over MARBLE ARCH (a/c AH 151) Lt. H.C. WHEELER, 206112, Observer, wounded, compound fracture left arm. Result of A.A. (a/c AH 151)
Bombing: Medium level bombing attack from 12600/8000 feet. 102 x 250 (Rods) G.P. 43 Det. (Six bombs hung up and were jettisoned over the sea.)
Air defences: Heavy and accurate A.A. from 4 guns N.W. edge of MARBLE ARCH L.G. 2 guns at S.E. edge. Some heavy fire came from point A6085 as aircraft approached coast.
Results: Total number of M.T. between bombing points not more than 200. Road beyond MARBLE ARCH fairly clear of M.T. A few M.T. in wadis off main road. Three columns of smoke seen at A9170. Major Jandrell pilot of a/c AH 151 left formation and laded at BELANDAH No. 2 to obtain medical aid for the two members of his crew who were wounded.

The formation turned South from the sea and started to bomb in line astern stepped down from point A5687 westwards along the Northern side of the Main Road. The M.T. were numbered about 50 and were fairly well dispersed. The observed results were: Direct hit on small M.T., one large fire giving off heavy black smoke. One fire on or near edge of MARBLE ARCH L.G. (M.E. 109?) 2/3 near misses on M/T.