Operational Order No. 39
21 SQUADRON S. A. A. F. OPERATIONAL ORDER NO. 39. COPY NO...5... (No. 3 Wing (S. A.) Operation Order No. "A" 311 refers.) DATE: 17. 11. 41. MAP REF: Target Map G.8 & G.9 (1) Ain - El - Gazala 1:100000. LIST OF APPENDICES. "A" INFORMATION. Gazala L. G. No. 2 (South) Dispersed aircraft Southern Area and Western Area. Alternative Target: Tmimi L. G. dispersed aircraft. INTENTION. To, destroy dispersed aircraft, and damage L. G. by high level bombing attack. EXECUTION. (a) List of aircraft and crews see appendix "A" (b) o/c "A" Flight will provide three aircraft. o/c "B" Flight will provide six aircraft. (c) Time of starting up 1320 hours. (d) Time of take off 1330 hours. In order of Flights. (e) Route: From base to Fuka Point, then S/C 30 miles North of Ras - Azzaz and to a point 36 miles North of coast above target. Formation will fly in Squadron Vic at 10000 ft. in lean at 1725 r.p.m. 26" boost. When 80 miles from turning point, climb to 22000 ft. line astern. Fifteen miles from coast dive to 19000 ft. (f) Attack: No. 1 Flight will drop their sticks approximately North to South, along Eastern boundary of L. G. No. 2 and No. 3 Flights will space themselves and drop some bombs on the North Eastern dispersal area the rest across the Southern area. (g) Observers to aim individually, and set Mickey Mouse at 366 ft. (h) After release: Dive slightly to port and S/C 20 miles South and West of Maddalena, across L. G. 76, to base. If cloud cover is available over target and sea, the route will be sharp to port and return on approximately a reciprocal course. Cruise at 10000 ft. in lean at 26" boost and 1725 r.p.m. (i) Air Gunners to keep sharp look out, especially from the sun. (j) Photography: 5 Cameras, Verticals and Obliques. (k) Landing Order: To be signalled by Leaders. ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS. (a) All aircraft must carry full capacity fuel & oil. (b) All magazines and pans to be fully loaded. (c) Each machine to carry full bomb load i. e. 8 X 250 lbs. 43 fuse. (d) All necessary desert equipment. W/T and AIR CONTACT. Signals Officer. DISTRIBUTION. * Intelligence A. H. Q. W. D. * Operations do * . . . . 3 Wing (S. A.) * . . . . 7. War Diary * File (Signed) JS Be . . . 2/Lt. For O. C. 21 SQUADRON.