. LONG STICKS, FROM PIN POINT 21 EXTENDING ALONG EASTERN AREA EDGE OF AERODROME SOUTHWARD — Operations

Operational Record

Duty: High level bombing attack. Long sticks, from pin point 21 extending along Eastern area edge of Aerodrome Southward.
Committed: 6 Glenn Martin Maryland
Airborne: 0403 hrs
Returned: 0925 hrs
From: L.G. 021
Map: Target map B./2 and Benghasi 1:500,000
Day / night: Day
Casualties: –
Air defences: –

Six aircraft left L.G. 76 at 0645 hours. Passed 20 miles South of Madelena and S/c for the coast North of Benghasi. The run up to the target was made at 19000ft. on a course of 190 deg. and the Leader led the formation approximately across Pin Points 43, 11 and to the West of Pin Point 21, to avoid Anti-Aircraft barrage. The total load of bombs were dropped, starting about 250 yards North of Pin Point 21, and extending in a South Westerly direction towards and across Pin Point 37. Observers claim direct hits on Pin Point 21, 37 and the Rail and Road junction North West of Pin Point 21. Smoke was seen over target 40 miles away. A ship 250 ft. long was seen between Central and Outer Mole. Fifty to a hundred M.T. was seen on road Benghasi-Toera moving North and South. About two hundred M.T. was seen stationary at 31 deg. 40 min. North and 22 deg. 37 min E on or near a road near a pan. Appeared to be in a line extending East to West. At Wadi Ese Sainaba(?) (31 deg. 10 min. N 23 deg. 55' E) camouflaged vehicles were seen hidden among the bushes. Three aircraft took off from Benina Aerodrome and three were seen to take off in a Southward run from the extension South of Berca Aerodrome. A/A heavy, good height but late. About ten dispersed aircraft, some appeared to be 3 or 4 engined, were soon outside Western boundary of Berca Aerodrome.