Operational Order No. 24

Friday, 7 November 1941

1941-11-07

124 [handwritten] 5 [handwritten] 21 SQUADRON OPERATIONAL ORDER NO. 24 COPY NO..... (Ref. 261 Wing Operation order No. "A" 232). DATE: 7. 11. 41 MAP REF: Target Map D./4 LIST OF APPENDICES. "A" INFORMATION. Derna is 70 miles West of the Northern point of the Gulf of Bomba. It has a small harbour, protected by a mole, near the point of which a sunken wreck is lying, on the harbour side. Small ships use this harbour, [strike-through: and excellent targets are provided by the] [strike-through: dock yard area]. Today's target consists of repair shops and a Military garage, with probable stocks of petrol in vicinity. These targets are comparatively small, but recognition should be made by close study of the roads. It will be seen that the Western promontory, the two target areas, and the stone bridge over the Wadi, are all in line. Briefing by C. O. and S. I. O. INTENTION. High level bombing target areas Derna. EXECUTION. (a) List of aircraft and crews see appendix "A" (b) o/c "B" Flight will provide 6 aircraft o/c "A" Flight will provide 1 aircraft to go as far as L. G. 75. (c) Time of starting up 0845 hours (d) Time of take off 0900 hours (e) Course: sea route (f) Flying instructions: As briefed by C. O. (g) Approach and Attack: Dive to 16000 ft. when 10 to 15 miles out. Approach on a course of 180 deg. across the eastern point on coast due North of the town, aiming to line up stone bridge. (h) Photography: 3 cameras (i) 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 43 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] L Saunders Lt. For O. C. 21 Squadron.

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Original page(s): 124

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. At this stage of the North African campaign, the squadron operated 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 higher tactical command echelons within the Desert Air Force (DAF). * C. O. / S. I. O.: Commanding Officer (Lt. Col. Jan Pretorius) and Squadron Intelligence Officer (Lt. L. Saunders). * FUSED 43 N. D. T.: Nose Delay Tail fuzing with a No. 43 detonator. This setting ensured the 250 lb General Purpose (GP) bombs penetrated logistical structures or fuel containers before detonation to maximize blast damage. * L. G. 75: Landing Ground 75. A forward refueling strip essential for extending the operational radius of the Marylands for strikes into Cyrenaica. * O/C "A" FLIGHT / O/C "B" FLIGHT: Officer Commanding "A" Flight (Major Fowler) and "B" Flight (Major Britz). * WADI: A dry riverbed. The stone bridge over the local wadi served as a primary navigational fix for the bombing run. * W/T: Wireless Telegraphy (radio communication). Operational Context Operational Order No. 24, dated 7 November 1941, tasks 21 Squadron with a precision daylight strike against Axis logistical infrastructure in Derna, Cyrenaica. Strategically, Derna was a vital logistical terminal and forward air hub for the Afrikakorps. This raid occurred during the intensive interdiction phase preceding Operation Crusader (commencing 18 November 1941), with the MAAF aiming to paralyze Axis repair capabilities and fuel sustainment. The primary objectives were repair shops and a military garage, suspected to hold stocks of petrol. The deliberate strike-through of "shipping and docks" suggests a refinement of intelligence, shifting the priority from maritime offloading to the land-based maintenance infrastructure required to keep Axis motor transport operational. Execution Constraints The mission profile highlights the tactical and navigational friction inherent in unescorted medium bomber sorties. * Navigational Precision: Because the targets were "comparatively small," the order emphasizes a strict visual alignment procedure. Observers were required to line up the Western promontory, the target areas, and the stone bridge over the Wadi to ensure a successful release. * Tactical Dive: To achieve the necessary airspeed and reduce vulnerability to Axis anti-aircraft (A/A) fire, the formation was ordered to dive to 16,000 ft. while still 10 to 15 miles out from the target. The final approach on a 180-degree course required crossing the coast due North of the town. * Logistical Support: The requirement for an additional aircraft from "A" Flight to escort the formation as far as L. G. 75 underscores the dependency on forward refueling for sorties originating from Egypt. * Sea Route: The choice of a "sea route" was a tactical measure to minimize exposure to Axis ground-based detection and avoid the fighter concentrations dispersed along the desert road. The order, signed by Lt. L. Saunders, represents a high-stakes effort by the MAAF to degrade the Axis maintenance pivot point in Eastern Libya despite the technical difficulty of identifying small, camouflaged logistical targets. 138 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 7.11.41.