DESTROY ENEMY AND TANK CONCENTRATIONS IN AND AROUND AREA: CROSS ROADS EL - ADEM. BOMB LINE:… — Operations

Operational Record

Duty: Destroy enemy and tank concentrations in and around area: Cross roads El - Adem. Bomb line: Not North of Bomb line 42 Grid and not South of 40 grid.
Committed: 9 Glenn Martin Maryland
Airborne: 0925 hrs
Returned: 1125 hrs
From: L.G. 76
Map: Salum - Tobruk 1: 250,000
Day / night: Day
Casualties: –
Air defences: –

Nine Marylands took off from L.G. 76 at 1130 hours, and set course over Bir - Sheferzen, then Bir - el - Gubi. From here to figure 41 West of El - Adem. When square 4039 was reached, enemy Fighters were seen shadowing the formation. They came in to attack at a point approximately 3 miles South West of El-Adem. Some bombs were jettisoned in this area, and the formation turned to starboard and dived for home.The Formation was flying in a tight formation, when Maryland 1620 was attacked and one wing caught fire. The Maryland and Fighter lost height and both were seen to crash. It appears that one enemy aircraft did not attack. The other two then made numerous attacks on the formation, and their attacks followed the tactics, as sketched on the back hereof. Maryland 1612 and 1659 were hit and crashed. At this stage one more Fighter was shot down and no doubt by the Gunner of Maryland 1647. It was seen to crash. The remaining Fighter attacked Marylands Nos. 1664 and 1649, who were now flying at nought feet. After persistent attacks at close range 1664 was shot down and the Fighter followed 1649. This aircraft received about one hundred hits and the Lower Gunner was wounded through both legs. The enemy fighter sheered off, no doubt due to our own lines being reached, or lack of ammunition. The Maryland is a complete write off. As the bombs were jettisoned, no results were observed.