STRONG POSITIONS AT Z 527010 — Operations

Operational Record

Target: Strong positions at Z 527010
Duty: Strong position at Z527010
Committed: 18 Glenn Martin Baltimore
Time of attack: 1620/2 Hours L.T.
Airborne: 1137 hrs
Returned: 1430 hrs
From: Zuara
Map: Gabes 1/500,000 Sheet Ni/32/SE
Day / night: Day
Casualties: All aircraft in the Leader's Box together with the leading aircraft of No. 2 Box, were hit by Ack Ack which caused about 150 holes. All Cat. 1. Lt. van der Meulen was slightly wounded in left foot and Capt. Farrant received a scratch on his hand from Ack Ack splinter.
Bombing: Medium level attack. Height 7000/8000 ft. 102 x 250 lbs. G.P. 43 det. with rods. 6 x 250 Hang up. Hit before bombing run. Bomb doors U/s Jettisoned North of ZUARA.
Air defences: Light A.A. inaccurate below formation. Heavy A.A. intense and very accurate from East of SARAT to beyond target. Pinpoints: H.A.A. 8 guns TZ 5405 H.A.A. 3 guns TZ 5303 H.A.A. 2 guns TZ 5506 H.A.A. 6 guns YE 5595 H.A.A. 16 guns around TZ 27010
Results: The Aircraft of No. 2 Box leader was badly holed over target and starboard engine stopped. Aircraft returned to base on one engine escorted by two fighters, on a bearing of 260 deg from target, three to four miles, levelling of ground was in progress. Trucks were parked near the area. Fair amount of M.T. well dispersed around East and South of MARETH. Dust trails South and South West of MARETH, movement North and North-West. Explosion, blue-white smoke, 150 yds. long seen at QJ 6122 on way to fighter rendezvous.

Formation bombed on leader on course of 250 deg., and all bombs burst on or around dug-in positions, pillar-boxes and Ack Ack gun emplacement in target area. One direct hit and two near misses claimed on three brownish coloured defence boxes, which had the shape of large E.P.I.P. tents. Near misses (15 yds) on five badly dispersed M.T.; One stick of bombs fell across A.A. post of approx. 4 batteries, which were firing. Dust smoke and flashes were seen and the guns ceased firing during the bursting of the bombs. The guns however, went into action again immediately afterwards.