2 DUMPS NORTH WEST OF BARDIA AT 515399 — Operations

Operational Record

Duty: High level bombing of 2 dumps North West of Bardia at 515399, and Photography.
Committed: 9 Glenn Martin Maryland
Airborne: 0943 hrs
Returned: 1230 hrs
From: L.G. 021
Map: Tobruk 1:500,000
Day / night: Day
Casualties: Own personnel and aircraft "Nil" Enemy personnel "Unobserved"
Air defences: A/A was of medium intensity, fairly accurate direction and of very accurate height. It did not come into action until after the first Flight had left the Target area. At least one battery was observed at 516401, on Coast.
Results: Target straddled 2 sticks of 8 x 250 = 4,000 lbs Near Misses 5 sticks of 8 x 250 = 10,000 lbs Tobruk road 1 stick of 8 x 250 = 2,000 lbs Amongst Buildings Bardia 1 stick = 3,000 lbs Total = 18,000 lbs

9 Marylands took off at 1143 hours L.T. and set off for their Target. After keeping well out to sea, flying 6 Aircraft in box, 3 in "V" at 300 yards to Starboard, they crossed the coast a few miles North of Bardia. At coast the leading flight turned to Port and dived from 20,000 ft. to 18,000 ft., turned to Starboard, then ran in. No. 2 Flight turned to Starboard, diving to 19,000 ft. then turned to port and made their run. No. 3 Flight made a straight run at 20,000. The Target was attacked from 3 directions at 3 different heights. Owing to cloud, the two top Flights had to make a second run. After releasing their bombs, they dived into defensive box formation against Fighters, of which 5 (unidentified type) were seen above and astern at 1000 yards. Evasive action, using clouds, was taken. One M.E. 109 approached at 800 yards, but retired after a short burst had been fired by a rear gunner. The lowest flight No. 1 were approached by 2 M.E. 109s which turned away when fired upon a gunner. With regard to bombing results, clouds made observation very difficult. The analysis is a conservative estimate. Four small ships, possibly wrecks, were seen in Bardia Harbour. A considerable amount (200) of dispersed M.T. was reported South East of Bardia, at 515390 and also in square 5136 South West of Sallum (200).