Operational Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 24th. Sept
- Aircraft
- 9 Marylands
- Duty
- High level bombing of 2 dumps North West of Bardia at 515309, and Photography
- Took off
- 1143 hrs
- Map reference
- Tobruk 1:500000
OPERATIONAL REPORT NO. 2O. O. Nos. COPY NO..7....DATE: 24th. Sept.MAP REF: Tobruk 1:500000DATE OF OP. 24th. September 1941NUMBER AND TYPE OF AIRCRAFT: 9 MarylandsDUTY. High level bombing of 2 dumps North West of Bardia at 515309,and Photography.NARRATIVE. 9 Marylands took off at 1143 hours L.T. and set off fortheir Target. After keeping well out to sea, flying 6Aircraft in box, 3 in "V" at 300 yards to starboard, theycrossed the coast a few miles North of Bardia. At coastthe leading Flight turned to Port and dived from 20,000 ft.to 18,000 ft., turned to starboard, then ran in.No. 2 Flight turned to starboard, diving to 19,000 ft. thenturned to port and made their run.No. 3 Flight made a straight run at 20,000.The Target was attacked from 3 directions at 3 differentheights. Owing to cloud, the two top Flights had to makea second run. After releasing their bombs, they dived intodefensive box formation against Fighters, of which 5(unidentified type) were seen above and astern at 1000 yards.Evasive action, using clouds, was taken. One ME. 109approached to 800 yards, but retired after a short burst hadbeen fired by a rear gunner.The lowest Flight No. 1 were approached by 2 ME. 109s, whichturned away when fired upon by a gunner.With regard to bombing results, clouds made observationvery difficult. The analysis (Appendix "B") is aconservative estimate.Four small ships, possibly wrecks, were seen in BardiaHarbour. A considerable amount (200) of dispersed M.T.was reported South East of Bardia, at 545305 and also inSquare 5136 South West of Sallum (200).WEATHER. Good, with 4/10 cloud.PHOTOGRAPHY. 3 cameras, of which one was for oblique shots. One of theverticals jammed after 3 exposures, and many of the otherexposures were unsuccessful, owing to cloud.A.A. A/A was of medium intensity, fairly accurate direction andof very accurate height. It did not come into action untilafter the first Flight had left the Target area.at least one Battery was observed at 518401, on Coast.TIMES. Airborne 1143 hours L.T.Attack 1308 " "Landed 1430 " "Total hours flown 22 hours 40 min.CASUALTIES. Own Personnel and Aircraft "NIL"APPENDIX "A" Enemy Personnel "UNOBSERVED".Target Straddled 2 sticks of 8 X 250 = 4000 lbs.Near Misses 5 " " = 10000 "Tobruk Road 1 " " = 2000 "Amongst Buildings Bardia 1 stick " = 2000 "----------18000 lbs.Appendix "B" / 2.
Transcriber's Notes
- L.T
- Local Time.
- ME. 109
- Messerschmitt Bf 109, the primary German single-engine fighter encountered during the mission.
- M.T
- Motor Transport.
- A.A
- Anti-Aircraft fire (Flak).
MC/GP (Medium Capacity / General Purpose): Standard Allied high-explosive ordnance. The aircraft in this mission carried 250 lb bombs, with a total expenditure of 18,000 lbs across the 9 Marylands.