Diving from 20000 ft. they approached the Target

21 SQUADRON S. A. A. F. OPERATIONAL REPORT NO. 7. ( O. O. Nos. "A" 54 and Squadron O. O. No. 7 attached hereto.) COPY NO...6.... DATE: 2. 10. 41. MAP REF: Tobruk 1 : 500000 DATE OF OP. 2nd. October 1941. NUMBER AND TYPE OF AIRCRAFT. 9 Marylands. DUTY. High level bombing of a dump at 496407. NARRATIVE. 9 Marylands took off at 1142 hours, flying in Squadron Flight, line astern. After crossing the Coast at Fuka Point, they flew on a bearing of 292 degrees, and turning 90 degrees crossed just East of towards Ras - El - Aora, and flew Southwards the Target. Diving from 20000 ft. they approached the Target at 15000 ft., 15500 ft., and 16000 ft. in 3 Flights, from the North, North West, and West respectively. The second Flight overshot without releasing, and came round to make a second run from the North East. The third Flight reported all their sticks bursting on Target, and the other two Flights reported 19 hits, with the majority of bursts East and South of Target. The whole area in the vicinity of the Target appears to be used as a scattered dump. On the way back a dump was reported some 18 miles South of the Target, but it was not pinpointed. A landing ground was reported at 492404, and some 20 M.T. were seen at 493382. ENEMY AIRCRAFT. 3 Aircraft were seen on Capuzzo North, and 3 taking off from Menastir. As the last Flight left the Target area, 7 Fighters were seen below, apparently climbing to attack; no action resulted. WEATHER. Fine, slight haze. A/A. "NIL" TIMES. Airborne 1142 hours Attack 1305 hours Landed 1432 hours Total hours flown 24 hours 26 min. APPENDIX "A" ANALYSIS OF BOMBING. On Target 34 [strike-through] = 8500 lbs. East of Target 16 [strike-through] = 4000 lbs. South of do 8 [strike-through] = 2000 lbs. North of do 6 [strike-through] = 1500 lbs. TOTAL. 64 [strike-through] = 16000 lbs. Hung up 8 = 2000 lbs. APPENDIX "B" / 5