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Operation No. 9

DUMP 494407

Sunday, 5 October 1941

Over target: 0903 hrs 9 aircraft 12 aircrew

Operational Record

Duty
High level bombing dump 494407
Committed
9 Glenn Martin Maryland
Airborne
0740 hrs
Returned
1030 hrs
From
L.G. 021
Map
Tobruk 1:500,000
Day / night
Day
Casualties
–
Air defences
–
Results
On Target 35 Near misses 13 On and near road 44 Total 72 = 18000 lbs.
9 Marylands took off at 0940 hours, and for the third time set out for the dump at 494407, just North of the Tobruk-Bardia road. Last minute instructions indicated that the South West corner was the important part of the dump, and the Target was approached from West to East, the three Flights attacking at heights of 12000 ft., 12500 ft., and 13000 ft. respectively. The first Flight released a little South of the corner and their sticks fell mainly on, and just South of the road. The other two Flights got about 70% of their bombs in the main dump, with one and possibly two in the Wadi on the Western extremity. Four cameras were used, and the analysis of bombing is based on photos taken. Two gunners reported seeing white smoke on Target from 30 miles. M. T. was reported on the Bardia-Tobruk road, a little West of the Target by one Observer, and another Observer reported 30 dispersed M.T. at 496364. The Landing Grounds at Capuzo North and Satellite, and Sidi Aulex, were reported to have no Aircraft on them, but 9 Fighters were seen to take off from Bir-El-Baheira.

12,000ft.

Aircraft and crews