Operation

21 SQUADRON S. A. A. F. OPERATIONAL REPORT NO. 5. ( O. O. Nos. "A" 43 and Squadron O. O. No. 5.) COPY NO...7.... DATE. 28. 9. 41. MAP REF: Bardia Target "B"/5 DATE OF OP. 28th. September 1941 NUMBER AND TYPE OF AIRCRAFT. 9 Marylands DUTY. High level bombing Ship in Bardia Harbour. NARRATIVE. 9 Marylands again attempted to hit the Bardia ship. Led by 9 Marylands of 12 Squadron, they approached on a bearing of 290 degrees, flying in V formation of 3 Vs and dropped their bombs from 12000 ft. Intense and very accurate A/A fire greeted them before, during and after the release. After leaving the Target the formation turned West and then North, close to Bardia, and came home on the sea route. Bursts were observed mostly at HG. 2728 and on the promontory close up to the Ship. Photos show 3 bursts in the sea one length North East of Ship. No Enemy Aircraft were seen. WEATHER. Fine PHOTOGRAPHY. 3 Cameras were used, and the Target was well shown during the bombing. A/A Very heavy and accurate. Salvoes burst amongst the formation before bomb release, and continued to follow them around the Harbour and out to sea. More than 200 holes have been counted in our Aircraft. Everyone was hit and considerable damage to four Hydraulic systems, and to a tank. Batteries firing were located at G 25 and HG 2728. TIMES. Airborne 1134 hours Target 1310 " Landed 1420 " Total hours flown 24 hours 10 min. CASUALTIES OWN PERSONNEL AND AIRCRAFT. One Observer wounded. APPENDIX "A" ANALYSIS OF BOMBING. Target 3 near misses North West 750 lbs. 40 North East and South of Target within 400 yards. 10000 lbs. 29 remainder unobserved 7250 lbs. 82 [strike-through] 18000 lbs. APPENDIX "B" /2