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Operation No. 2

DUMP "A" 5 MILES NORTH WEST OF BARDIA

Over target: 1301 hrs Aircraft: L Pilot: CAPT. THACKWRAY Altitude: 20,000 ft Time: 13:01 hrs

Bombing Report (Form 541)

Target
DUMP "A" 5 MILES NORTH WEST OF BARDIA
Place
BARDIA
Date
24 / 9 / 41
Time over target
1301 hrs
Height
20000 ft
Bombs dropped
8 X 250 G.P.
Observed effects
RUN 270° ACROSS DUMP FIRST EXPLOSION ACROSS CENTRE — LAST TWO BOMBS ACROSS ROAD
Details of photographs taken
NIL
Casualties to own aircraft and personnel
NIL
Casualties to enemy aircraft and personnel
NIL
Enemy A.A. ground defences encountered (a) location of defences (b) type (c) strength
MEDIUM A/A ENCOUNTERED AFTER BOMBING LOCATION NOT SEEN. BLACK PUFFS. LIGHT.
Hostile patrols encountered (a) position (b) type and number of aircraft (c) if engagement resulted
UNIDENTIFIED FIGHTERS ASTERN TO PORT ABOUT 3 - 4000' ABOVE.
Special comments
NIL
SECRET "L" BOMBING REPORT 12 14Pilot : CAPT. THACKWRAY Observer : 2/Lt. A. E. KILEY 21 SQUADRONREFERENCE / A/Sgts. Phelan and C.E. JONES Squadron : S.A.A.F.BR Details of Target :DUMP "A" 5 MILES NORTH WEST OF BARDIA Place : BARDIADate : 24 / 9 / 41Time : 1301 hrs.Weather :FAIR CLOUD 4/10 OVER TARGET Height : 20000 feet.(1) Bombs dropped : (2) Failures :8 X 250 G.P. NIL(3) Observed effects :RUN 270° ACROSS DUMPFIRST EXPLOSION ACROSS CENTRE — LAST TWO BOMBS ACROSS ROAD(4) Details of photographs taken :NIL(5) Casualties to own aircraft and personnel :NIL(6) Casualties to enemy aircraft and personnel :NIL(7) Enemy A.A. ground defences encountered (a) location of defences (b) type (c) strength :MEDIUM A/A ENCOUNTERED AFTER BOMBING LOCATION NOT SEEN.BLACK PUFFS. LIGHT.(8) Hostile patrols encountered (a) position (b) type and number of aircraft (c) if engagement resulted :UNIDENTIFIED FIGHTERS ASTERN TO PORT ABOUT 3 - 4000' ABOVE.(9) Special comments :NIL SIGNED 2/LT. A. E. KILEY.NOTE — (1) For intelligence purposes RECONNAISSANCE REPORT (A. M. FORM 401) must always accompany a BOMBING REPORT.(2) COMBAT (BOMBER) REPORT also to be completed if engagement with enemy aircraft occurred during flight.

Transcriber's Notes

BARDIA
A strategic coastal fortress and supply hub in Libya, located near the Egyptian frontier, which served as a primary defensive anchor for Axis forces.
G.P
General Purpose high-explosive demolition bombs.

MC/GP (MEDIUM CAPACITY / GENERAL PURPOSE): Standard Allied demolition munitions, including the 8 x 250 G.P. load carried by Maryland "L" during this sortie.

Crew

Pilot CAPT. THACKWRAY Observer
Observer 2/Lt. A. E. KILEY