Operational Order No. 20

Monday, 3 November 1941

1941-11-03

112 [handwritten]21 SQUADRON OPERATIONAL ORDER NO. 20 COPY NO.....7(Ref. 261 Wing Operation order No. "A" 201) DATE: 3. 11. 41.MAP REF: Target map B./2LIST OF APPENDICES. "A"INFORMATION. The North West corner of Berka Aerodrome is one mileSouth East of Benghazi Harbour. Primary importanceis attached to the dumps of stores at "33" and to thestores at "37". The hangars at "19", and the Barracksand M.T. at "21", are also important target areas.Considerable quantities of petrol are known to bestored in the vicinity, and also military supplies.Recognition should be assisted by the relative positionsof the Cemetary, and the shape of the Landing Ground,and the hangars. Large transport planes may be seenin this corner of the Landing Ground.Benina Landing Ground is eleven miles away on the mainBarce road. On both the outward and return journeys,crews must endeavour to observe and pinpoint correctly,M.T., camps, etc.Briefing by C.O. and S.I.O.INTENTION. High level bombing stores etc. North West cornerof Benghazi Landing Ground. Alternative target dumpsand hangars at Benina Landing Ground.EXECUTION. (a) List of aircraft and crews see appendix "A"(b) o/c "A" Flight will provide 6 aircrafto/c "B" Flight will provide 3 aircrafto/c "B" Flight will provide 2 spare aircraftto go as far as L.G. 75.(c) Time of starting up 0650 hours.(d) Time of take off 0705 hours.(e) Course out: L.G. 75, 20 miles South of Maddelenaacross desert, cross coast 30 miles South ofBenghazi, turn North, and come in just South ofthe town, to attack target from South West.(f) Flying instructions: Climb to 10000 ft. in rich at2200 r.p.m. 26" boost, then cruise in lean at1725 r.p.m. 26" boost, Squadron vic. When 50 milesfrom target, climb in rich to 2200 ft. and formtight line astern. Observers to check wind speedand direction. Close formation must be kept.(g) Attack: From South West. Each flight leader willaim independently, Nos. 2 and 3 to release ontheir leaders.(h) After release: Formation to turn to starboard,open up and head for home. Leader will ascertainlater by W.T. whether any Pilot needs to refuel atL.G. 75.(i) Photography: 5 cameras.(j) Landing order: Order of take off.ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS.(a) All aircraft must carry full capacity fuel and oil.(b) All magazines and pans to be fully loaded.(c) Each aircraft to carry full bomb load, i.e.8 x 250 lbs. fused N.D.T.(d) All necessary desert equipment.INTER COMMUNICATION. W/T Officer.DISTRIBUTION.

Intelligence A.H.Q.W.D.

Operations do do

S.I.O. 261 Wing 4.5.6.7. War Diary.

File.[handwritten signature] L Saunders Lt.For O.C. 21 Squadron.

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Original page(s): 112

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes") Glossary of Terms * 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.: No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force. In November 1941, the unit was equipped with the Martin Maryland, an American-built twin-engine medium bomber utilized by the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) for high-altitude daylight interdiction. * 261 WING / A.H.Q.W.D.: 261 Wing, Air Headquarters Western Desert. These were the higher tactical commands coordinating Desert Air Force (DAF) operations. * C.O. / S.I.O.: Commanding Officer (Lt. Col. Jan Pretorius) and Squadron Intelligence Officer (Lt. L. Saunders). * L.G. 75: Landing Ground 75. A forward refueling strip utilized to extend the operational radius of the Marylands for deep penetration strikes into Cyrenaica. * M.T.: Motor Transport. * N.D.T.: Nose Delay Tail fuzing. This setting ensured the 250 lb General Purpose (GP) bombs penetrated logistical structures or fuel containers before detonation to maximize blast damage. * O/C "A" FLIGHT / O/C "B" FLIGHT: Officer Commanding "A" Flight (Major Fowler) and "B" Flight (Major Britz). * R.P.M. / BOOST: Engine revolutions per minute and manifold pressure. Specific settings were mandated for fuel conservation during the long transit to Benghazi and for maximum power during the tactical climb to the bombing altitude of 22,000 ft. * VIC / LINE ASTERN: Tactical flying formations. "Vic" (V-shape) provided mutual defensive fire during transit, while "Line Astern" (column) was required for bombing accuracy during the final run. * W/T: Wireless Telegraphy (radio communication). Operational Context Operational Order No. 20, dated 3 November 1941, directs 21 Squadron to execute a high-altitude strike against the logistical pivot point of Benghazi, specifically targeting the Berka Aerodrome and adjacent store dumps. Strategically, Benghazi was the primary Axis port in Eastern Libya; its neutralization was vital to the Allied interdiction campaign intended to starve Rommel's Panzergruppe Afrika of fuel and supplies prior to the launch of Operation Crusader. The focus on store dumps "33" and "37," alongside petrol storage areas, reflects an Allied priority to destroy Axis sustainment capabilities. The identification of Benina Landing Ground as an alternative target demonstrates the tactical flexibility required to suppress Axis air reinforcements (specifically "Large transport planes") that could be utilized to bypass the maritime blockade. Execution Constraints The mission profile highlights the extreme technical and navigational demands placed on Martin Maryland crews in the Western Desert. The unescorted formation was required to perform a deep-penetration flight across the desert, crossing the coast south of Benghazi to achieve tactical surprise by attacking from the southwest. The requirement to climb to 22,000 ft. 50 miles from the target was a defensive measure against modern Axis interceptors and heavy flak concentrations protecting the port. Navigational constraints were significant; crews were ordered to "endeavour to observe and pinpoint" Axis ground movements (M.T. and camps) during the transit, essentially conducting armed reconnaissance alongside the primary bombing mission. The logistical challenge of the long-range strike is underscored by the inclusion of two "spare aircraft" to escort the formation to L.G. 75 and the provision for pilots to refuel at the forward strip upon their return. Furthermore, the use of five cameras for photography confirms the squadron's continued reliance on internal Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) to verify the destruction of Axis logistical assets. The order, signed by Lt. L. Saunders, represents a high-stakes effort by the MAAF to degrade the Axis supply pivot in Libya. 125 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 3. 11. 41.