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Operation No. 69

, AIRCRAFT ON BARCE L.G

Wednesday, 17 December 1941

Over target: 0911 hrs 5 aircraft 20 aircrew

Operational Record

Duty
High level bombing, aircraft on Barce L.G.
Committed
5 Glenn Martin Maryland
Airborne
0727 hrs
Returned
1120 hrs
From
L.G. 76
Map
Target map B./1 (1) and Benghasi 1: 500,000
Day / night
Day
Casualties
–
Air defences
Nil.
Results
40 x 250 lbs. = 10000 lbs.
Our five Marylands, joined by four or 12 Squadron, set off for Barce at 0927 hours, under 21's leadership. The leading vic, which consisted of the aircraft of ours, and one of 12's attached two groups of not very well dispersed aircraft, North of the large Administrative building. Many bursts were observed amongst aircraft, and one was seen to burn. The other two vice, led by ours took a parallel line somewhat West of the above run, along a very staggered line of aircraft, near the Cyrene road. 23 aircraft were counted here, and bursts were observed in the close vicinity of most of these, and a large fire (Acft.) was caused. A conservative estimate of destroyed or badly damaged aircraft, as a result of this raid, is fifteen. Our photography was unfortunately up to standard, but some of the results are bourne out by those taken by 12 Squadron. On returning on of our Marylands turned over, fortunately without injury to crew.

Aircraft and crews