Operational Order No. 33

Thursday, 13 November 1941

1941-11-13

SHEET NO... 7 .. 21 SQUADRON OPERATIONAL ORDER NO. 33 (Ref. 261 Wing Operation order No. "A" 195). DATE. 13.11.41. MAP REF: Target map B./2 and Benghazi 1:500000. LIST OF APPENDICES. "A" INFORMATION. Berka Aerodrome and Aircraft area from pinpoint 21 extending along Eastern edge of Aerodrome. Alternative target Benina dispersed aircraft and hangars. INTENTION. Bombing attack from 19000 ft. Long sticks across target area. North to South. Alternative target at Leader's discretion. EXECUTION. (a) List of aircraft and crews see appendix "A" (b) o/c "A" Flight will provide 6 aircraft. o/c "B" Flight will provide 1 aircraft to go as far as L. G. 76 (c) Time of starting up 1530 hours (d) Time of take off 1600 hours, and proceed to L.G. 76, refuel and night stop. (e) Take off from L. G. 76 at 0630 hours. (f) Time over target 0850 hours. (g) Route. Climb to 10000 ft. in rich at 2200 r.p.m. at 28" boost, and cruise at 1725 r.p.m. at 26" boost in lean to 80 miles from target, when climb to 22000 ft. in rich. (h) Approach and Attack: When 10 - 15 miles from target dive to 19000 ft. and attack. (i) Pilots to keep in steady formation and Observers to do individual aiming. (j) Mickey mouse at 732 ft. (k) Photography: 4 cameras. (l) Alternative target: attack and method of approach left to the Leader. (m) After attack, dive loosing height at 400 ft. per second, and cruise at 10,000 ft. in lean at 1725 r.p.m. and 26" boost. (n) If short of fuel land at L.G. 75. (o) Landing order: Order of take off. ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS. (a) All aircraft must carry full capacity of fuel & 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 43. (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 [Signature] 2/Lt. For O.C. 21 Squadron.

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Original page(s): 138

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes") Glossary of Terms: * Ref. 261 Wing: Reference to the 261 Wing of the Royal Air Force, under which 21 Squadron SAAF operated. * Berka Aerodrome: A primary Axis airfield located near Benghazi, Libya. * Benina: An alternative Axis landing ground and dispersal area near Benghazi. * ft.: Feet, indicating altitude. * o/c: Officer Commanding. * L.G. 76 / L.G. 75: Landing Ground 76 and Landing Ground 75, forward Allied airstrips in the Western Desert. * r.p.m.: Revolutions Per Minute, referring to engine speed. * Boost: Manifold pressure measured in inches of mercury ("), indicating engine power output. * Rich/Lean: Fuel-to-air mixture settings for the aircraft engines. * Mickey mouse: RAF slang for the bomb-release intervalometer or selector switch. * 8 X 250 lbs. Fused 43: The bomb load consisting of eight 250-pound bombs equipped with Type 43 fuses. * W/T Officer: Wireless Telegraphy Officer, responsible for radio communications. * A.H.Q.W.D.: Air Headquarters Western Desert. * S.I.O.: Senior Intelligence Officer. * O.C.: Officer Commanding. Operational Context: Dated November 13, 1941, this Operational Order was issued just five days prior to the commencement of Operation Crusader (November 18, 1941). The strategic objective was the neutralization of Axis air power at Berka and Benina to secure air superiority before the Allied Eighth Army launched its offensive to relieve the Siege of Tobruk. The use of "long sticks" (bombs released in a timed sequence to cover a linear area) aimed to maximize damage to dispersed aircraft and hangars. The instruction to "night stop" at L.G. 76 and take off at 0630 hours indicates a staged operation, allowing the Marylands to reach Benghazi early in the morning, likely to catch Axis aircraft on the ground before they could scramble. The precise engine settings (r.p.m. and boost) and mixture controls (rich/lean) were critical for managing the limited range of the Maryland Mk.II while operating at high altitudes (up to 22,000 ft) to avoid flak and interception. The signature by a 2/Lt (Second Lieutenant) on behalf of the O.C. suggests the administrative urgency of disseminating orders during the final preparation phase for the winter campaign. 152 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: The exact date found in the 'DATE' column of the image is 14. 11. 41.