M.T. AND TANKS MOVING WEST ON TRIGH CAPUZZO, BETWEEN GRIDS 46 AND 48 — Operations

Operational Record

Duty: Medium level bombing M.T. and Tanks moving West on Trigh Capuzzo, between grids 46 and 48.
Committed: 9 Glenn Martin Maryland
Airborne: 1205 hrs
Returned: 1335 hrs
From: L.G. 76
Map: Salum - Tobruk 1: 250,000
Day / night: Day
Casualties: –
Air defences: –

Nine Marylands set out at short notice to interfere with transport and tanks on the Trigh Capuzzo, limited to grids 46 – 48. No actual escort was provided, but we were informed that there would be friendly fighters in the area. We were preceded by 11 Squadron, and much evidence of their move was visible, several burnt out vehicles and a burning A.F.V. or Tank. Some 50 M.T. about 10 Tanks, and 2 mobile guns were seen on and alongside the road, moving West. They were considerably dispersed, and moving evasively at high speed, presented difficult targets. Many near misses were seen, and two direct hits claimed. Large numbers of M.T. and Tanks were seen in the vicinity of Bir-el-Chaleta, both North of the road (parked) and on the road- approaching those already mentioned. Another dispersed column was approaching Bir-el-Chaleta from the South. These forces were probably our own. On the return journey a large concentration of M.T. at 487372 opened heavy fire with pom-pom and M.T. on our formation, and caused considerable damage to one machine, and lesser damage to six others. It was thought at the time that this force was our own, but it has since been established that it was an enemy ‘pocket’ No casualties to our own personnel.