Operational Order No. 32

Tuesday, 11 November 1941

1941-11-11

21 SQUADRON OPERATIONAL ORDER NO. 32 COPY NO. 6 [handwritten] (Ref 261 Wing Operation Order No. "A" 263. Nos. "A" 249 & 254 refer). DATE: 11.11.41. MAP REF: Target Map B./2. Benghasi 1:500000. LIST OF APPENDICES "A" INFORMATION. (1) Sheds and stores at L.20 (2) Alternative target Benina Aerodrome, Hangars and Dumps. INTENTION. (1) Bombing attack from 20000 ft. Close stick across shed area, and along Railway line, East to West. (2) Bombing attack at Leader's discretion. EXECUTION. (a) List of aircraft and crews see appendix "A" (b) o/c "A" Flight will provide 1 aircraft to go as far as L.G. 76. o/c "B" Flight will provide 6 aircraft. (c) Time of starting up 0530 hours (d) Time of take off 0550 hours (e) Proceed to L.G. 76 and refuel. (f) Time over target. 1115 hours. (g) Route: Direct from L.G. 76 to 80 miles from target, at 10000 ft. at 1725 r.p.m. and 26" boost. then climb to 22000 ft. (h) Attack: When 10 - 15 miles from target dive to 20000 ft. in close box, and Observers to aim independently. (i) Mickey Mouse to be set at 146 ft. (j) Method of attacking alternative target, left to leader. Mickey mouse 300 ft. (k) Photography: 4 cameras. Oblique cameras to be used to good effect. (l) 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 * S.I.O. 261 Wing * War Diary * do * do * do * File [handwritten signature] J Britz Maj/Lt. For O.C. 21 Squadron.

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Original page(s): 134

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes") Glossary of Terms * 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.: No. 21 Squadron of the South African Air Force. During this period of the North African campaign, the unit was equipped with the Martin Maryland, a twin-engine medium bomber utilized for high-altitude daylight interdiction and reconnaissance. * 261 WING / A.H.Q.W.D.: 261 Wing, Air Headquarters Western Desert. These tactical command echelons coordinated the Desert Air Force (DAF) activities under the broader Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) framework. * L.G. 76: Landing Ground 76. A forward refueling and staging strip located in the Western Desert, essential for extending the operational radius of the Marylands into Cyrenaica. * MICKEY MOUSE: The bomb intervalometer used by the observer to set the ground distance (146 ft. for the primary target, 300 ft. for the alternative) between individual bombs in a released stick. * N.D.T.: Nose Delay Tail fuzing. This fuzing configuration ensured that 250 lb General Purpose (GP) bombs would penetrate logistical structures or railway infrastructure before detonating to maximize kinetic damage. * R.P.M. / BOOST: Engine revolutions per minute and manifold pressure. The mandated settings (1725 r.p.m. and 26" boost) were optimized for fuel economy during the long transit over the desert. * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * W/T: Wireless Telegraphy (radio communication). Operational Context Operational Order No. 32, dated 11 November 1941, tasks 21 Squadron with a precision strike against the Benghazi Railway sheds and stores (Target L.20). Strategically, Benghazi served as the primary port of entry and logistical hub for Rommel's Panzergruppe Afrika. Neutralizing the railway line and adjacent store sheds was a vital component of the Allied interdiction campaign intended to starve Axis forces of supplies prior to the commencement of Operation Crusader (18 November 1941). The identification of Benina Aerodrome as an alternative target emphasizes the dual priority of degrading both Axis ground logistics and air reinforcement capabilities. The requirement for observers to aim "independently" rather than dropping on the leader suggests a tactical shift toward ensuring a more comprehensive "stick" coverage across the dispersed shed area and railway tracks. Execution Constraints The mission profile highlights the technical and tactical friction inherent in deep-penetration sorties in the Western Desert. * Vertical Performance: The formation was ordered to climb to 22,000 ft. 80 miles from the target to evade early Axis detection and heavy anti-aircraft concentrations, followed by a tactical dive to 20,000 ft. for the final visual approach. * Formation Discipline: The attack was to be carried out in a "close box" formation. This was a defensive configuration designed to concentrate the Marylands' machine gun fire against expected fighter interception. * Staging and Endurance: The necessity of refueling at L.G. 76 underscores the extreme range of the Benghazi targets. The provision for a seventh aircraft from "A" Flight to escort the six primary "B" Flight machines as far as the forward strip indicates the logistical strain of maintaining a full six-aircraft strike force. * Tactical Reconnaissance: The requirement to use oblique cameras in addition to the standard four-camera vertical array demonstrates an increased Allied demand for high-fidelity Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) to verify the neutralization of specific railway assets. The order is signed by Major J. Britz, acting for the Commanding Officer, and represents the final planning phase for what would become a contested and ultimately abandoned mission due to overwhelming fighter opposition. 148 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: There is no specific 'Date' column on this document. However, the file serves as APPENDIX "A" (Crews and Machines) to Operational Report No. 32, which is dated 11.11.41 on the primary report page.