After a wide sweep all bombs were released at some buildings on a coastal road, probably in the vicinity of Ras - el - H

21 SQUADRON OPERATIONAL REPORTS NOS. 37 & 38. COPY NO. 8.. SHEET NO... 12... (Ref. 3 Wing (S.A.) Operating order No. "A" 304 and DATE: 16.11.41. Squadron Operation order No. 37). MAP REF: Target map B./10. DATE OF OPERATION. 16th. November 1941 NUMBER AND TYPE OF AIRCRAFT. Six Marylands OBJECTIVE. High level bombing Martuba West, dispersal aircraft. NARRATIVE 1st. Operation. Six Marylands left 021 at 0635 hours, and to the sea route towards Derna. After 50 minutes flying one machine had to turn back, with propeller switch and electrical trouble. The remainder carried on, but weather conditions made it quite impossible to locate even the vicinity of the target. After a wide sweep all bombs were released at some buildings on a coastal road, probably in the vicinity of Ras - el - Helal, a few miles West of Derna. 2nd. Operation. The same crews took off again at 1240 hours, for Martuba West. Conditions were even worse at sea, than in the morning, and the outward course was flown at 1800 - 2000ft. Wishing on approaching the coast, a momentary view was obtained of Derna from 12000 ft. The cloudbank ahead (Southwards) appeared so impenetrable that the Leader, on sighting many aircraft on Derna L. G., decided quickly on bombing a certain target, as against the big risk of being unable to locate Martuba West. All Observers report seeing 40 to 50 aircraft on Derna L. G., and although the shifting low clouds made observation of bursts impossible, it appears certain that all the sticks fell South and East of the hangar, and amongst dispersed aircraft. Returning South, a glimpse was had of Martuba, and a few aircraft seen. Visibility decreased and the return trip was made overland mostly at 1000 ft. A/A: Fairly heavy at Derna, height good, but direction not accurate. WEATHER. 1st. Operation: 4/10 - 8/10 cloud over sea, thickening to 9/10 - 10/10 inland from the coast, as far West and South as could be seen. Cloudbase 3500 ft. 2nd. Operation. 10/10 cloud at sea, and West of target area. 8/10 Derna area, base 500 - 1000 ft. Almost entirely spoilt by clouds. TIMES. 1st Operation. 2nd. Operation. Airborne 0635 hours 1240 hours Time over target 0830 hours 1440 hours Landed base 1105 hours 1715 hours Total hours flown 53 hours 30 minutes. DISTRIBUTION. * S.I.O. H.Q. R.A.F. M.E. * Intelligence A.H.Q.W.D. * Operations do * 3 Wing (S.A.) S.I.O. * * * War Diary * File (Signed) L Lounds. ........................Lt. SQUADRON INTELLIGENCE OFFICER.

1941-11-16

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

[AUTO-CLASSIFIED — VERIFY CATEGORY] Phase 2: Technical Expansion Glossary of Terms: * 3 Wing (S.A.): 3 Wing (South African) of the South African Air Force (SAAF), the administrative and tactical wing overseeing 21 Squadron. * Marylands: The Martin Maryland (Model 167), an American-built twin-engine light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft used by the SAAF. * Martuba West: An Axis landing ground located in Cyrenaica, specifically designated as a high-priority target for disabling enemy air dispersal. * 021: Refers to Landing Ground 21 (L.G. 21), the squadron's operational base during this period. * L. G.: Landing Ground; specifically refers to Derna Landing Ground in the context of the second operation. * ft.: Feet, the standard unit for recording flight altitude and cloud base. * A/A: Anti-Aircraft fire; specifically heavy flak encountered over Derna. * S.I.O. H.Q. R.A.F. M.E.: Senior Intelligence Officer, Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East. * A.H.Q.W.D.: Air Headquarters Western Desert. Operational Context: The operations on 16 November 1941 occurred during the final 48 hours preceding the launch of Operation Crusader, the Allied offensive intended to relieve the Siege of Tobruk. The strategic focus on Martuba West and Derna reflects the "Air Phase" of the campaign, where the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) sought to neutralize the Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica on the ground to ensure Allied air superiority for the Eighth Army's advance. The narrative highlights the extreme difficulties of desert air operations during the winter months. Meteorological conditions—specifically 10/10 cloud cover—severely inhibited high-level bombing, forcing crews to abandon primary targets like Martuba West in favor of targets of opportunity like Derna. The observation of 40 to 50 aircraft at Derna L.G. confirmed a significant concentration of Axis air strength that threatened the upcoming Allied offensive. The failure of one aircraft due to "propeller switch and electrical trouble" underscores the constant battle against mechanical wear and the abrasive desert environment. Despite the cloud cover, the mission provided critical intelligence regarding Axis troop and aircraft dispersal along the Cyrenaican coast. 163 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: The specific page provided (Sheet 149) does not contain a 'Date' column. However, as the designated Appendix "A" for the operations detailed in the preceding report (Sheet 148), the date is 16.11.41.