Operational Order No. 15

Friday, 24 October 1941

1941-10-24

S E C R E T. 21 SQUADRON OPERATIONAL ORDER NO. 15. COPY NO...5.... (Ref: 261 Wing Operation order Nos. "A" 157 and "A" 161. DATE: 24.10.41. MAP REF: Tebruk 1:500000 and Target Map G./8 LIST OF APPENDICES: "A" INFORMATION: There are two Landing Grounds at Gazala, and the Gulf and Island provide useful landmarks. Todays target is the Southern Landing Ground, which lies just South of the main road ( Tobruk — Derna). The "Kink" in the road at the North East corner should be looked for. It is believed that most aircraft will be dispersed along the Southern boundary, and in the South West corner. Bays of various shapes are used and are generally netted. Briefing by C. O. and S. I. O. Target map G./8 explained. INTENTION: High level bombing Gazala South Landing Ground. Alternative target Gazala North Landing Ground. EXECUTION. (a) Route: Sea route, as briefed. (b) List of Aircraft and Crews see appendix "A" (c) o/c "A" Flight will provide 5 aircraft o/c "B" Flight will provide 4 aircraft (d) Time of starting up 1100 hours. (e) Time of take off 1112 hours. (f) Formation: Squadron Vic (g) Approach: When 60 miles from target climb in rich to 19000 ft., and Flights form Squadron line astern. (h) Attack: When 10 - 15 miles away, No. 1 Flight will dive to 16000 ft. No. 2 Flight will turn slightly right, and dive to 16500 ft. No. 3 Flight will dive to 17000 ft., and follow No. 2 Flight. [strike-through] XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX [/strike-through] if Fighters are seen, stay in formation and bomb. (i) After release: Nos. 2 and 3 Flights will dive into position as soon as possible, and will return as ordered, depending on cloud. (j) Photography: 5 cameras. (k) 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 will carry full bomb load i.e. 8 X 250 lbs. Fuse 43. (d) Empty beer bottles to be taken. (e) Mickey Mouse 366 ft. INTER COMMUNICATION. W/T Officer. [handwritten signature] L Saunders. Lt. For O. C. 21 SQUADRON.

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Original page(s): 90

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes") Glossary of Terms * 21 SQUADRON SAAF: No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force. During the Western Desert Campaign in late 1941, this unit operated the Martin Maryland, a twin-engine medium bomber utilized for high-altitude horizontal bombing. * 261 WING: The higher tactical command (Royal Air Force Wing) overseeing 21 Squadron's operations. * C. O. / S. I. O.: Commanding Officer and Squadron Intelligence Officer. * EMPTY BEER BOTTLES: A psychological warfare tactic; when dropped from altitude, the air whistling through the bottle necks created a shrieking sound intended to harass Axis ground personnel. * FUSE 43: A standard British/Commonwealth tail fuse used for General Purpose (GP) bombs, typically associated with 250 lb and 500 lb munitions. * G./8 (TARGET MAP): A specific 1:500000 tactical map of the Gazala sector used for identifying dispersed aircraft pens and auxiliary landing grounds. * MICKEY MOUSE: Technical slang for the intervalometer or bomb-release timing mechanism; the setting of 366 ft refers to the calculated ground distance between individual bomb impacts in a "stick". * RICH: A carburetor setting providing a high fuel-to-air ratio, used during high-power maneuvers such as the climb to combat altitude (19,000 ft) to ensure engine cooling and performance. * VIC / LINE ASTERN: "Vic" is a standard three-aircraft "V" formation; "Line Astern" is a tactical formation where aircraft follow in a vertical or horizontal column to facilitate individual flight bombing runs. * W/T: Wireless Telegraphy (radio communication) managed by the squadron's W/T Officer. Operational Context Operational Order No. 15, dated 24 October 1941, tasks 21 Squadron with a high-level strike against Gazala South Landing Ground. Strategically, the Gazala airfield complex was a critical forward node for the Regia Aeronautica and the Luftwaffe. Its location just south of the main Tobruk–Derna road made it a primary base for Axis fighters and dive-bombers harassing the besieged Allied garrison at Tobruk and interdicting coastal supply lines. The intent of the raid was the destruction of Axis airframes dispersed along the southern boundary and southwest corner of the landing ground. Allied intelligence noted the use of camouflaged ("netted") bays of various shapes to protect these assets from aerial observation. This mission was part of the broader Desert Air Force campaign to achieve air superiority and degrade Axis tactical air support prior to the launch of Operation Crusader in November 1941. Execution Constraints The mission profile dictated a sea-masking approach to minimize early detection. The 9 Marylands were ordered to climb to 19,000 ft while 60 miles from the target before transitioning from a Squadron Vic to a line astern formation for the attack. The bombing run involved a staggered tactical dive: No. 1 Flight to 16,000 ft, No. 2 Flight to 16,500 ft, and No. 3 Flight to 17,000 ft. This staggered altitude approach was designed to saturate the airfield while dividing the attention of Axis anti-aircraft (A/A) gunners. A significant tactical constraint was the standing order to prioritize formation integrity over individual evasion if intercepted by fighters; a strike-through in the text reinforces that the squadron must "stay in formation and bomb" even under duress. Technical requirements included the use of 5 cameras for Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) and the specific load-out of 8 x 250 lb bombs. The inclusion of empty beer bottles alongside standard ordnance underscores the psychological component of these unescorted daylight raids. The return leg was contingent on cloud cover, reflecting the constant meteorological variables of the North African theater. 92 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 24.10.41.