, DISPERSED AIRCRAFT, LANDING GROUND GAZALA NO. 2 — Operations

Operational Record

Duty: High level bombing attack, dispersed aircraft, Landing Ground Gazala No. 2.
Committed: 9 Glenn Martin Maryland
Airborne: 0445 hrs
Returned: 1430 hrs
From: L.G. 76
Map: Bir-el-Gazala 1:500,000
Day / night: Day
Casualties: –
Air defences: –

Nine Marylands set off for Gazala at 0645 hours, arrived in vicinity at 0915 hours, circled looking for the L.G. until 0915 hours. Formation then attacked by 12 Fighters (G. 50s and 109 Fs.) from starboard, bombs were jettisoned. Formation fought their way into cloud where the Fighters got somewhat separated. On emerging, about 8 fighters concentrated on one Maryland U 396 was seen to go down in flames, with one fighter following. At the same time a 109F was shot down, by a rear Gunner of the 1st. Flight. It was seen to go spinning down with a trail of smoke, and was seen to hit the ground and burst into flames. During the scrap our formation ... and threw off most of the enemy, but two of them stayed for about 10 minutes, continuing repeated attacks, before finally abandoning their targets. Our machines were then under 1000 ft., and one was seen to be in trouble. This one managed to keep going ... well at our side, then turned North and landed safely at L.G. 05 (Sidi Barrani) the remainder landed at L.G. 76. Three of this formation returned to L.G. 21 in the afternoon.