Operational Order No. 5

Sunday, 28 September 1941

1941-09-28

S E C R E T. 21 SQUADRON OPERATIONAL ORDER NO. 5 COPY NO..9.... ( Ref. Medium Bomber Wing OP. Order No. "A" 43. ) DATE 28. 9. 41. MAP REF: Bardia Target B/5 LIST OF APPENDICES: "B" * INFORMATION. A Ship of about 10000 [handwritten '6' over the first '0'] tons has been located in Bardia Harbour, lying close to the point at H25. Five Squadrons of Fighters will act as escort and protection, and No. 12 Squadron will accompany us. Briefing by O.C. and S. I. O. at 0830 hours. * INTENTION. High level bombing Ship in Bardia Harbour. * EXECUTION. (a) List of Aircraft and Crews see appendix "B" (b) o/c "A" Flight will provide 6 Aircraft. o/c "B" do do do 6 do (c) Time of starting up 1115 hours. (d) Time of take off 1130 hours. (e) Rendezvous with No. 12 Squadron over 12 Squadron aerodrome. (f) Formation: Squadron Flights in "V" (g) O. C. 12 Squadron will lead and leader No 21 Squadron will fly Squadron Flights in "V" in Box on No. 12 Squadron. (h) Route: Sea, as led by 12 Squadron. (i) Photography: 2 Cameras. (j) Landing order: As per take off. ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS. (a) All Aircraft must carry full capacity fuel & oil. (b) All magazines and pans must be fully loaded. (c) Each Aircraft will carry full bomb load i. e. 8 X 250 lbs. Fuse......... (d) All necessary desert equipment. INTER COMMUNICATION. W/T Officer. ACKNOWLEDGE. DISTRIBUTION LIST. * H. Q. RAF. ME. S. I. O. * 204 Intelligence. * 204 Ops. * Medium Bomber Wing S. I. O. * S. A. Liaison Officer H. Q. RAF. ME. * * * * War Diary. * File. [handwritten signature] L Saunders. Lt. for Officer Commanding 21 Squadron.

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Original page(s): 49

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 Western Desert campaign, the unit operated as a light/medium bomber squadron within the Desert Air Force (DAF). * BA-BH (MARTIN BALTIMORE): The telegraphic and operational code for the Martin Baltimore medium bomber. While 21 Squadron became the primary operator of the Baltimore in 1942, during the September 1941 operations, they utilized the Martin Maryland, the Baltimore's direct technical and tactical predecessor. * MC/GP (MEDIUM CAPACITY / GENERAL PURPOSE): The standard Allied ordnance designation for high-explosive demolition bombs. The order specifies a full load of 8 x 250 lbs munitions per aircraft. * MET: Meteorological data. Precise MET conditions were essential for the planned high-level bombing of maritime targets in the constricted Bardia Harbour. * NO. 12 SQUADRON: No. 12 Squadron, SAAF. This unit also operated Martin Maryland aircraft and was to lead the combined formation for this specific sortie. * O.C. / S.I.O.: Officer Commanding and Squadron Intelligence Officer. * W/T: Wireless Telegraphy (Morse code radio communications). Operational Context Operational Order No. 5, dated 28th September 1941, details a coordinated heavy strike against Axis shipping in Bardia Harbour. The target—a large vessel of approximately 6,000 tons (corrected from 10,000)—was moored at coordinate H25. The strategic importance of Bardia was critical; it served as a primary logistical bottleneck and fortified port of entry for German and Italian supplies destined for the frontier defensive line. Following the significant engagement on the previous day (27 September), which resulted in the loss of one SAAF Maryland, this raid reflects the Allied commitment to maintaining continuous pressure on Axis maritime supply lines prior to Operation Crusader. Execution Constraints The mission profile highlights a massive concentration of force. No. 21 Squadron was tasked to provide 12 aircraft (6 from "A" Flight, 6 from "B" Flight) to fly in "V" formation boxes alongside No. 12 Squadron, SAAF. To counter the heavy Luftwaffe interception encountered the day prior, the escort was significantly bolstered to five squadrons of fighters. Technical discipline remained a priority, with strict requirements for full fuel, oil, and a 100% magazine/bomb load. The route was designated as "Sea," likely to avoid land-based anti-aircraft batteries until the target run. The handwritten correction to the ship's tonnage (from 10,000 to 6,000) demonstrates the archival record's update following refined intelligence assessments, ensuring the aircrews had the most accurate data for their briefing at 08:30 hours. This order, signed by Lt. L. Saunders for the O.C., illustrates the transition toward larger, heavily protected formations to ensure survival against increasing Axis air superiority in the sector. 50 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 28. 9. 41..