DISPERSED A/C ON SFAX EL MAOU L.G — Operations

Operational Record

Target: Dispersed A/C on SFAX EL MAOU L.G.
Duty: Medium level bombing attack on dispersed Aircraft on SFAX EL MAOU L.G.
Committed: 18 Glenn Martin Baltimore
Time of attack: 0828 1/2 hrs. L.T.
Airborne: 0450 hrs
Returned: 0749 hrs
From: Zuara
Map: TUNISIA 1:500,000 Sheet N1/32/NE SFAX.
Day / night: Day
Casualties: One A/C received a slight hole from A/A shrapnel.
Bombing: Medium level bombing attack, from 8500 to 9000 ft. 98 x 250 lb. GP 43 Det. (Rods) 10 x 250 lb. DA No. 17 Pistol (1 - 18 hrs) Mk. 5
Air defences: HAA intense but inaccurate. Battery of 5 HAA guns at a point immediately SOUTH of the L.G. One HAA gun firing from area SFAX NORTH L.G. Batter of HAA guns at trees NORTH of L.G. Battery of HAA guns at wadi near TU 7828. 1 HAA gun firing from harbour area.
Results: MV (Merchant Vessel) about 300 ft., one funnel, steaming towards SFAX from DQ 1013 at 0832 hrs. at approx. 8 knots. Aircraft dispersal: Three large T/E and 7 S/E A/C in NORTH and WEST corners of L.G. some in blast shelters. Seven S/E and 4 T/E badly dispersed in Southern area. About 200 MT, mostly stationary and facing NORTH, on ROAD SFAX - MAHARES. (Formation attacked in slight climb and dived away in medium diving turn.)

A formation of Bostons (12 and 24 Squadrons, S.A.A.F.) bombed the L.G. as the Baltimores made their run up. One fire was seen. Bombs were seen to burst along the Southern area of the L.G. The Baltimore leader's box bombed the centre of the L.G., bombs bursting from the centre into the trees among the aircraft shelters. No.'s 2 and 3 boxes bombed the EAST and WEST dispersal areas respectively. Three fires were started, one in the Olive grove giving off a big flame and smoke. Bombs fell near an A/A post in the Olive grove NORTH of the L.G. and among 4 badly dispersed A/C. One burst was seen between the A/C fifty yards apart. The target was well covered by bomb bursts. Four too five fires were burning when the formation left.