Operational Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 27. 10. 41
- Aircraft
- 9 Marylands
- Duty
- High level bombing from Pin Point 6 to Pin Point 12
- Map reference
- Target Map B./2
21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F. OPERATIONAL REPORT NO. 17 COPY NO. 5....( O.O. Nos: 261 Wing Op. Order No. "A" 168 and Squadron Op. order No. 17).DATE: 27. 10. 41MAP REF: Target Map B./2DATE OF OPERATION. 27th. October 1941.NUMBER AND TYPE OF AIRCRAFT. 9 Marylands.DUTY. High level bombing from Pin Point 6 to Pin Point 12.NARRATIVE. Aircraft took off from 21 Landing Ground at 0445 hours,refuelling at 75 Landing Ground, taking off at 0745 hours.The Harbour was approached from a point 25 miles South-West,and the Target attacked on a course of approximately310 deg. at a height of 18500 ft. The run over the Targetwas made at an increased speed and heavy calibre A/Abarrage, burst accurate for height but behind, and on leftof formation. White puffs were observed to be above theblack ones. (Aircraft on the extreme left of the formationwas afterwards found to be slightly damaged by shrapnel.)After release of bombs formation swung sharply East.A M/V was seen stationary at square E 2. Length approximately400 ft.WEATHER. Hazy over desert. Fine over target.TIMES. Airborne 0445 hours G.M.T.Landed 075 L.G. 0537 do doAirborne 0745 do doAttack 1005 do doLanded base 1240 do doTotal hours flown 49 hours. [handwritten]PHOTOGRAPHY 5 cameras were used and photographs show bomb burstsas claimed.DISTRIBUTION.
S. I. O. Hq. RAF. ME.
Intelligence A. H. Q. Western Desert
Operations do do
261 Wing
*
* War Diary
File[handwritten signature] J Saunders 2/Lt.For Squadron Intelligence Officer.
Transcriber's Notes
- 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F
- No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force. During October 1941, the unit was equipped with the Martin Maryland, a twin-engine medium bomber utilized for high-altitude daylight interdiction.
- A/A
- Anti-Aircraft artillery fire. The report notes a "heavy calibre" barrage over Benghazi, which utilized both black and white bursts, indicating different battery types or fuse settings.
- M/V
- Merchant Vessel. The crew observed a 400-foot stationary ship at square E 2 in Benghazi Harbour during the attack.
- G.M.T
- Greenwich Mean Time.