TANKS A.F.V.'S AND M.T. ON LINE SIDI REZEGH - BELHAMED — Operations

Operational Record

Duty: Bomb Tanks A.F.V.'s and M.T. on line Sidi Rezegh - Belhamed.
Committed: 9 Glenn Martin Maryland
Airborne: 1300 hrs
Returned: 1500 hrs
From: L.G. 76
Map: Salum - Tobruk 1:250,000
Day / night: Day
Casualties: –
Air defences: Moderate inaccurate.
Results: 64 x 250 lbs =. 16000 lbs. (Eight bombs hung up).

Nine Marylands took off after briefing, and after picking up a large escort of Mark 1 Hurricanes, set off for the battle area. Coming in to the Southern pinpoint limit from slightly West of South, to make their first run, various targets were picked by individual observers. These consisted of groups of, and dispersed M.T. (about 300 in all), and groups of tents. Turning to Port, the formation came in again for the second run on 180 deg. from Belhamed, and remaining bombs were dropped on the Target area. Observation was difficult, owing to dust and smoke, but many bombs were seen to burst within small concentrations of M.T.,and also in one group of tents with M.T. around it. Two fires were caused. The whole area appeared to be an active battlefield, and much gunfire was seen. Aircraft were again seen at 440400 (14 in all, all facing North, majority looked like M.E. 109's). M.T. was seen moving N.E. from the area 420404-425403, and some 200 M.T. were seen to be concentrated at 484390.