SHIP IN BARDIA HARBOUR — Operations

Operational Record

Duty: High level bombing Ship in Bardia Harbour.
Committed: 9 Glenn Martin Maryland
Airborne: 0934 hrs
Returned: 1220 hrs
From: L.G. 021
Map: Bardia Target "B"/5
Day / night: Day
Casualties: One Observer wounded.
Air defences: Very heavy and accurate. Salvoes burst amongst the formation before bomb release, and continued to follow them around the Harbour and out to sea. More than 250 holes have been counted in our Aircraft. Everyone was hit and considerable damage to four Hydraulic systems, and to a tank. Batteries firing were located at G 25 and H 2728.
Results: Target 3 near misses North West 750 Lbs. 40 North East and South of Target within 400 yards. 10000 Lbs. 29 remainder unobserved 7250 Lbs. 18000 lbs.

9 Marylands again attempted to hit the Bardia Ship. Led by 9 Marylands of 12 Squadron, they approached on a bearing of 250 degrees, flying in V formation of 3 Vs and dropped their bombs from 12000 ft. Intense and very accurate A/A fire greeted them before, during and after the release. After leaving the Target the formation turned West and then North, close to Bardia, and came home on the sea route. Bursts were observed mostly at NG. 2728 and on the promontory close up to the Ship. Photos show 3 bursts int he sea one length North West of Ship. No Enemy Aircraft were seen.