Operational Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 2. 10. 41
- Aircraft
- 9 Marylands
- Duty
- High level bombing of a dump at 496407
- Took off
- 1142 hrs
- Map reference
- Tobruk 1 : 500000
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 : 500000DATE 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 inSquadron Flight, line astern. After crossing the Coastat Fuka Point, they flew on a bearing of 292 degrees,and turning 90 degrees crossed just East of towardsRas - El - Aora, and flew Southwards the Target.Diving from 20000 ft. they approached the Targetat 15000 ft., 15500 ft., and 16000 ft. in 3 Flights,from the North, North West, and West respectively.The second Flight overshot without releasing, andcame round to make a second run from the North East.The third Flight reported all their sticks burstingon Target, and the other two Flights reported19 hits, with the majority of bursts East and Southof Target. The whole area in the vicinity of theTarget appears to be used as a scattered dump.On the way back a dump was reported some 18 miles Southof the Target, but it was not pinpointed.A landing ground was reported at 492404, and some20 M.T. were seen at 493382.ENEMY AIRCRAFT.3 Aircraft were seen on Capuzzo North, and 3 takingoff from Menastir. As the last Flight left the Targetarea, 7 Fighters were seen below, apparentlyclimbing to attack; no action resulted.WEATHER. Fine, slight haze.A/A. "NIL"TIMES. Airborne 1142 hoursAttack 1305 hoursLanded 1432 hoursTotal 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
Transcriber's Notes
- M.T
- Motor Transport.
MC/GP (MEDIUM CAPACITY / GENERAL PURPOSE): Standard Allied munitions; the 250 lb GP bombs utilized in this raid were fuzed for instantaneous detonation to maximize surface damage to unarmored transport and fuel stores.