123456789101112

Operation No. 20

STORES AND DUMPS NEAR BERCA L.G

Monday, 3 November 1941

Over target: 1010 hrs Time: 07:05 hrs

Operational Report (Form 541)

Date
3. 11. 41
Aircraft
9 Marylands
Duty
Benghazi: High level bombing stores and dumps near Berka L.G
Map reference
Target map B./2
8 [handwritten]21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F. OPERATIONAL REPORT NO. 20 COPY NO.....(Ref. Nos. 261 Wing Operation order No. "A" 201 and Squadron operationorder No. 20.) DATE: 3. 11. 41.MAP REF: Target map B./2.DATE OF OPERATION. 3rd. November 1941.NUMBER AND TYPE OF AIRCRAFT: 9 Marylands.DUTY. Benghazi: High level bombing stores and dumps near Berka L.G.NARRATIVE. Owing to minor accidents in landing for refuelling at L.G. 75,only six aircraft set out for Benghazi. The routefollowed was, across the desert to a point on the coast40 miles South of the town. From here the coast wasfollowed, due North, with the intention of crossing thecoast at lat. 32 deg. and coming in from the sea to theTarget. Unfortunately the cloud density increased to10/10 as Benghazi was approached and the correct targetrun was impossible, The Leader decided to release when heestimated that he was over the target area. Afterturning for home, a gap in the clouds showed Benina L.G.and approximately 50 aircraft were noted.WEATHER. 10/10 cloud at target.TIMES. Airborne 0705 hours.Landed L. G. 075 0850 hours.Airborne 0955 hours.Time over target 1210 hours.Landed L. G. 021 1440 hours.Total hours flown 32 hours 12 minutes.DISTRIBUTION.
S. I. O. H.Q. R.A.F. M.E.
Intelligence A.H.Q.W.D.
Operations do
261 Wing S. I. O.
War Diary
do
do
do
File[handwritten signature] L Saunders Lt.Squadron Intelligence Officer.

Transcriber's Notes

21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F
No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force. During this period of the North African campaign, the squadron operated the Martin Maryland, an American-built twin-engine medium bomber utilized for high-altitude daylight interdiction.
L.G. 75
Landing Ground 75. A forward refueling strip used to extend the operational range of the Marylands for deep-penetration strikes into Libya.
L. G. 021
Landing Ground 21 (Fuka, Egypt), the primary base of operations for the squadron.

S. I. O. H.Q. R.A.F. M.E.: Squadron Intelligence Officer, Headquarters, Royal Air Force Middle East. Operational Context Operational Report No. 20, dated 3 November 1941, documents a high-altitude strike against the logistical center of Benghazi. Strategically, Benghazi was the most vital Axis port in Eastern Libya; its suppression was a core Allied objective during the interdiction phase preceding Operation Crusader (commencing November 18, 1941). The mission specifically targeted store dumps at Berka L.G. to degrade Rommel’s sustainment capabilities. Although the primary bombing run was thwarted by total cloud cover, the sighting of 50 aircraft at Benina L.G. through a gap in the clouds provided critical intelligence regarding Axis air reinforcement levels. This sighting confirmed Benina's role as a major staging point for Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica assets intended to oppose the upcoming Allied offensive. Execution Constraints The mission profile highlights the significant technical and environmental friction of desert air operations.