DERNA LANDING GROUND — Operations

Operational Record

Duty: 1) High level bombing Derna Landing Ground. 2) Test of Maryland range under Service and formation conditions.
Committed: 9 Glenn Martin Maryland
Airborne: 0834 hrs
Returned: 1225 hrs
From: L.G. 021
Map: Target Map D./8
Day / night: Day
Casualties: –
Air defences: A few inaccurate bursts were seen well above our aircraft, and a good deal of light A/A was seen to burst many thousands of feet below.
Results: On landing ground 48 Worth of Landing ground 4 Satellite 12 54 = 16000lbs Jettisoned 8 Total 72 = 18000 lbs.

9 Marylands took off at 1034 hours, and after flying on the indicated course towards Derna, turned to attack from the North. The Landing ground was found without difficulty, and the three Flights dropped their sticks in quick succession. The first bursts falling just North of the landing ground, and the last stick off the Landing ground, but on the Satellite. Photos show a direct hit on a large Aircraft East of the hangar, and two bursts right amongst a group of about six aircraft, by other bombs. Approximately sixty aircraft were reported on the Landing ground and Satellite. Most Observers reported a large cloud of dust in the direction of Martuba, but it is uncertain where this was from aircraft taking off, or transport on the road.