AIRCRAFT ON DERNA L.G. ALTERNATIVE TARGET MARTUBA L.G — Operations

Operational Record

Duty: High level bombing attack aircraft on Derna L.G. Alternative target Martuba L.G.
Committed: 9 Glenn Martin Maryland
Airborne: 0632 hrs
Returned: 0935 hrs
From: L.G. 76
Map: Target map D./4 and Derna 1:500,000
Day / night: Day
Casualties: –
Air defences: Moderate heavy calibre from Derna. Light and inaccurate pom pom from L.G.
Results: 56 x 250 lbs. = 14500 lbs.

Taking off at 0832 hours, the formation set out again for Derna. Taking the sea route, they crossed the coast again well West of Derna and approached the L.G. from the East. The three Flights attacked separately, on bearing of 100 deg. and 110 deg. No. 1 Flight released on a line between the hangar and the escarpment, where approximately 20 aircraft were seen to be very well dispersed East of the hangar. No. 2 Flight came in from South of the hangar, on 110 deg., and claim direct hits on two aircraft at pinpoint 27. The third Flight attacking on a parallel line across the Southern edge of the L.G., and across the Satellite. One stick was seen to straddle a dispersed group of aircraft in the South East corner. About 60 aircraft were seen on the L.G. and Satellite, and, as might be expected after yesterdays raid, they were well dispersed over a large area. One fire was seen on the L.G. when our aircraft arrived. DERNA HARBOUR The medium sized ship, with three small once alongside, two again seen just off the point of the mole. MARTUBA WEST Twelve aircraft were seen dispersed at North East and close to a wadi. COMBAT At 0952 hours a blue C.R. 42 was seen 25 miles out at sea, and low down. This aircraft followed our formation to the coast and then disappeared. Five fighters, which proved to be M.E. 109s (3) and G. 50s (2), were seen to take off from Martuba West at 1025 hours. These approached from the rear and startboard, and one M.E. attacked the formation leader, pulling away immediately. The G. 50s made several attacks, but only one with any determination - and he was shot down by the leading aircraft's top gunner, after several short bursts. He went down smoking and hit 25 miles South of Martuba. The other G. 50 made several attacks on the rear Vic; all the top Gunners claim to have damaged him. He was last seen diving steeply.