Operational Order No. 23

Thursday, 6 November 1941

1941-11-06

122 [handwritten] 21 SQUADRON OPERATIONAL ORDER NO. 23. (Coefia Dump) (Ref. 261 Wing Operation order No. "A" 227) COPY NO.....5 DATE: 6. 11. 41. MAP REF: Benghazi 1:100000 and Target map E1 - Coefia. LIST OF APPENDICES. "A" INFORMATION. Dump "B" is situated close to and on the Eastern side of the Benghazi - Tocra road, and is 4 1/2 miles from Benghazi. It consists mainly of petrol supplies, the portion nearest the road consisting of buried canisters of petrol. An ammunition dump is just across the road. The Salt Lakes should provide recognition, as well as the well defined cultivated areas. Briefing by C. O. and S. I. O. INTENTION. High level bombing Dump "B" between Coefia and Benghazi. Alternative target: Benina hangars. 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. 75. (c) Time of starting up 0640 hours. (d) Time of take off 0650 hours. (e) Route: 20 miles South of Madalena, then via a point South of El - Abia coast, and then along road. (f) Flying instructions: As briefed by C. O. Usual fuel economy tips. (g) Approach and Attack: From N. N. East, coming in slightly across road on a bearing of 200 deg. (h) After release: Turn to port, and avoid Benghazi. Leader will ascertain later by W/T whether any Pilot needs to refuel at L. G. 75. (i) Photography: 4 cameras. (j) Mickey mouse: 592 ft. (k) 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 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 File [handwritten signature] L Saunders Lt. For C. O. 21 Squadron.

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Original page(s): 122

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. During this phase of the North African campaign, the unit operated the Martin Maryland, a twin-engine medium bomber utilized by the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) for unescorted daylight interdiction. * 261 WING / A. H. Q. W. D.: 261 Wing, Air Headquarters Western Desert. These were the 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). * L. G. 75: Landing Ground 75. A forward refueling strip essential for extending the operational radius of the Marylands for deep strikes into Libya. * MICKEY MOUSE: The bomb intervalometer used by the observer to set the physical distance (592 ft.) between bombs in a "stick". * N. D. T.: Nose Delay Tail fuzing. This setting ensured the 250 lb General Purpose (GP) bombs penetrated logistical structures or fuel canisters before detonation to maximize blast damage. * W/T: Wireless Telegraphy (radio communication). Operational Context Operational Order No. 23, dated 6 November 1941, tasks 21 Squadron with a precision daylight strike against Axis fuel and ammunition infrastructure in the Benghazi sector. Strategically, Benghazi was the primary port for Rommel's Panzergruppe Afrika; its neutralization was a paramount Allied objective during the interdiction phase preceding Operation Crusader (launched 18 November 1941). Targeting Dump "B" near Coefia specifically aimed to degrade Axis sustainment along the coastal supply route. The intelligence provided identifies a concentration of buried petrol canisters and a nearby ammunition dump, highlighting the Allied priority to destroy Rommel's mobility and firepower assets. The alternative target of Benina hangars confirms the MAAF's secondary goal of suppressing Axis air reinforcement capabilities in Cyrenaica. Execution Constraints The mission profile emphasizes the tactical friction of unescorted medium bomber sorties. * Navigational Challenges: The formation followed a complex route south of Madalena to achieve tactical surprise by attacking from the North-North-East on a bearing of 200 degrees. Recognition was reliant on specific geographic markers, including Salt Lakes and cultivated areas. * Meteorological and Mechanical Friction: The corresponding operational report (No. 23) notes that 8/10 cloud cover and variable winds made the approach difficult. These factors compromised accuracy, with the majority of bombs falling 200 yards west of the primary target area. * Logistical Support: The requirement for an additional aircraft from "B" Flight to escort the formation to L. G. 75 underscores the dependency on forward refueling for deep penetration into Libya. * Defensive Maneuvering: Following release, the formation was ordered to "avoid Benghazi," a high-threat area protected by intense anti-aircraft batteries. The order, signed by Lt. L. Saunders, represents the systematic Allied effort to apply pressure on the German and Italian logistical pivot points despite significant environmental and navigational constraints. As a Lead Archival Historian, I can provide the corresponding aircrew manifest (Appendix "A") or tactical maps for this sector if required. 136 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: No specific 'Date' column is present on this document. However, the file serves as APPENDIX "A" (Crews and Machines) to Operational Report No. 23, which is dated 6. 11. 41. on the preceding report page.