Operational Order No. 18

Thursday, 30 October 1941

1941-10-30

S E C R E T. 21 SQUADRON OPERATIONAL ORDER NO. 18. COPY NO...4.... (Ref. 261 Wing Operation Order No. "A" ) DATE: 30. 10. 41 MAP REF: Target Map B./2 and Benghazi 1:500000. LIST OF APPENDICES. "A" INFORMATION. Benghazi Harbour Shipping, to be bombed in area bounded by Giuliana Mole and Central Mole. Central Mole to be straddled. Attack to be from South to North. Alternative Target: Cathedral Mole. INTENTION. Bombing attack at 20000 ft. EXECUTION. (a) List of aircraft and crews see appendix "A" (b) o/c "A" Flight will provide 3 aircraft. o/c "B" Flight will provide 6 aircraft. o/c "A" Flight will provide 1 spare aircraft to go as far as L. G. 075. (c) Time of start up 0640 hours. (d) Time of take off 0705 hours. (e) Land at L. G. 075, refuel and await further instructions from Intelligence Officer. (f) Formation: Flights in Squadron Vic. (g) Time over Target: 1230 hours. (h) Route: L. G. 075 20 miles South Fort Madelena, Marshes, Benghazi. Return on reciprocal course to base. (i) ATTACK: 90 miles from target climb to 21000 ft., form line astern and approach target in one formation. Flights will bomb independently, by sliding in or out but not far. Nos. 2 and 3 Flights to bomb on Flight leaders. (j) After release: Formation to turn sharp right and form tight Squadron Vic and loose height. (k) Alternative Target: Method of attack left to the discretion of Squadron Leader, but run to be from West to East. (l) Mickey Mouse: Observers to set Mickey Mouse at 300 ft. (m) Fighter Patrol likely, and sharp lookout to be kept at all times. (n) Photography: 5 cameras (o) 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. Western Desert. Operations do do 261 Wing 5. 6. 7. War Diary File [handwritten signature] L Saunders 2/Lt. For O. C. 21 Squadron.

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Original page(s): 97

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 the date of this order, the unit was a medium bomber squadron operating the Martin Maryland as part of the Desert Air Force (DAF). * 261 WING / A. H. Q. WESTERN DESERT: The higher tactical and operational commands (Wing and Air Headquarters) responsible for the coordination of S.A.A.F. medium bomber sorties in the North African theater. * B./2 (TARGET MAP): The 1:500000 scale tactical reference map for Benghazi, utilized for the precise identification of harbor infrastructure and shipping berths. * FUSED N. D. T.: This likely refers to Nose Delay Tail fuzing. Setting the General Purpose (GP) bombs with a slight delay was intended to allow the ordnance to penetrate the decks of shipping or harbor structures before detonating, maximizing internal blast damage. * GIULIANA MOLE / CENTRAL MOLE / CATHEDRAL MOLE: The primary man-made breakwaters of Benghazi Harbour. These structures provided the deep-water berths essential for offloading heavy Axis military materiel. * L. G. 075: Landing Ground 075 (Libya). This forward strip served as a vital staging point for refueling, allowing the Maryland aircraft to reach Benghazi from their more distant permanent bases. * MICKEY MOUSE: Standard technical slang for the bomb-release intervalometer. The setting of 300 ft. dictated the physical distance between each bomb in the eight-bomb "stick" to ensure a "straddle" of the target area. * R.P.M. / BOOST: Engine power settings. The order specifies a fuel-efficient "lean" mixture (1750 r.p.m. at 25" boost) for the transit to the target area. * VIC / LINE ASTERN: Tactical flying formations. "Vic" is a standard "V" shape for transit; "Line Astern" is a single-file column used during the final bomb run to allow independent aiming and prevent aircraft from flying into the fragmentation of leading sticks. * W/T: Wireless Telegraphy. The W/T Officer managed the Morse code radio communications between the formation and ground stations. Operational Context Operational Order No. 18, issued on 30 October 1941, tasks 21 Squadron with a daylight high-altitude strike against Axis shipping in Benghazi Harbour. Strategically, Benghazi was the principal port of entry for German and Italian logistical reinforcements sustaining the Panzer Group Africa. This operation was part of the final, intensive interdiction phase conducted by the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) to deplete Axis fuel and ammunition reserves prior to the imminent launch of Operation Crusader. By specifically ordering a "straddle" of the Central Mole, the command sought to damage both the vessels moored there and the heavy cranes and railway infrastructure necessary for offloading cargo. The tactical transition from a South-to-North attack for the primary target to a West-to-East run for the Cathedral Mole (alternative target) reflects a sophisticated attempt to disrupt Axis anti-aircraft (A/A) ranging and provide observers with optimal visibility based on the sun's position. Execution Constraints The mission profile highlights significant technical and defensive constraints. The requirement to climb to 21,000 ft. while still 90 miles from the target was a defensive measure to avoid early detection by Axis radar and out-climb the effective ceiling of standard Italian A/A batteries. However, operating at this altitude placed considerable strain on the Maryland's Pratt & Whitney engines and required strict fuel management, hence the mandatory "lean" cruise settings and the provision of a spare aircraft to L. G. 075. Tactically, the order explicitly warns that a Fighter Patrol is likely, mandating a "sharp lookout" and the immediate reform of a "tight Squadron Vic" following bomb release to maximize the mutual defensive fire of the Marylands' dorsal and ventral machine guns. Furthermore, the instructions for Flights to "slide in or out" during the bomb run indicate a need for flexibility to avoid predictable flight paths in the face of the "formidable" Benghazi ground defenses. The order, signed by 2/Lt. L. Saunders, represents a high-risk, high-reward mission designed to cripple the enemy's maritime supply line at its most critical junction. 100 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 30th. October 1941.