E, F & G Nil.

P O S T A G R A M L 2 190 : H.Q. R.A.F. M.E. From: S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F. Serial No. : 21 Sqdn/244 Date: 29 MAR 43. <u>OPREP No. 244 for period ending 1200 hrs. 29 MAR 43.</u> A MT in square made up by pp. TZ 1248, 2545, 2840, 2440, and 1343. (Ref. Map: TUNISIA 1:500000 GABES SFAX) B 5 Baltimores Mk. III of 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. 12 Bostons of 24 Squadron, S.A.A.F. (leading) C (i) Medium level bombing. (ii) 7,500 ft. (iii) 1009 hrs. D (i) 30 x 250 lb. GP 43 Det. (Rods) (Baltimores) (ii) Nil. (iii) Bombed on formation leader. Bombs fell in area between GABES - SFAX and GABES - GAFSA Roads, starting from WEST of GABES Road and ending on buildings EAST of village. (TZ 2243 to 2044) One direct hit on one vehicle. Direct hit on road running EAST from village. One small fire on leaving target. E, F & G Nil. H (i) 0858 hrs. (ii) 10 hrs. 25 mins. J General weather good. Slight ground haze. No cloud. K LAA & HAA fairly intense & fairly accurate over target. LAA from TZ 2255. HAA from N of WADI MAFOU. COMM. NIL. T.O.O. 1200 hrs. 29 MAR 43. [Handwritten Signature] for Capt. S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.

1943-03-29

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion Glossary of Terms * H.Q. R.A.F. M.E.: Headquarters, Royal Air Force Middle East. * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force. * OPREP: Operational Report. This document, No. 244, summarizes the results of the morning mission on 29 March 1943. * MT: Motor Transport. Axis wheeled or tracked supply and combat vehicles. * Baltimores Mk. III: Martin Baltimore light bombers. * Bostons: Douglas Boston light bombers (A-20), here from 24 Squadron SAAF. * GP 43 Det. (Rods): General Purpose bombs fitted with No. 43 Detonators and extension rods ("daisy cutters") to trigger an above-ground burst for maximum anti-personnel and anti-vehicle effect. * LAA & HAA: Light Anti-Aircraft and Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire. * T.O.O.: Time of Origin. Operational Context The operation on 29 March 1943 took place during the pursuit phase following the Allied breakthrough at the Tebaga Gap and the subsequent Axis abandonment of the Mareth Line. The target area, identified by coordinates within the Gabes-Sfax-Gafsa triangle, indicates a tactical focus on retreating Axis columns. As the Eighth Army pushed toward the next major defensive line at Wadi Akarit, the Desert Air Force (DAF) maintained constant pressure on German and Italian Motor Transport (MT) attempting to regroup. The mission, led by Douglas Bostons of 24 Squadron SAAF with 21 Squadron's Martin Baltimores in support, utilized "daisy cutter" fused bombs specifically designed to destroy soft-skinned vehicles on the roads running east from the target villages. Despite "fairly intense" anti-aircraft fire from Wadi Mafou and surrounding positions, the direct hits recorded on vehicles and infrastructure further hampered the Axis attempt to establish a cohesive rear-guard action during their northward withdrawal toward Gabes. 234 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 29 MAR 43