K. Heavy, accurate and intense. P O S T A G R A M . 68
To : H.Q., R.A.F., M.E.
From : Senior Intelligence Officer, 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.,
Serial No/ : 21 Sqdn/104 dated 24 Oct 42.
OPREP No;104 for period ending 16;00 hrs. on
24 Oct 42.
A. Dispersed aircraft on L.G.104.
B. 6 Baltimores and 12 Bostons of 24 Squadron.
C. (i) Medium level bombing.
(ii) 10,000 ft.
(iii) 1214 hrs.
D. (1) 30 x 250lb. G.P.43 detonator with extension rods.
(ii) Nil.
(iii) Several near misses, on A.A. posts.
E. Nil.
F. Nil.
G. Nil.
H.(i) 11.21. hrs.
(ii) 9 hrs. 30 mins.
J. Clear over target.
K. Heavy, accurate and intense.
COMM. 55 mins. (1 aircraft)
T.O.O. 16.30 hrs. C.
(Handwritten Signature: [Illegible])
SENIOR INTELLIGENCE OFFICER,
21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.
P O S T A G R A M . 68
To : H.Q., R.A.F., M.E.
From : Senior Intelligence Officer, 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.,
Serial No/ : 21 Sqdn/104 dated 24 Oct 42.
OPREP No;104 for period ending 16;00 hrs. on
24 Oct 42.
A. Dispersed aircraft on L.G.104.
B. 6 Baltimores and 12 Bostons of 24 Squadron.
…
__o_O_o__
Form 541 Transcriber's Notes Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes")
Glossary of Terms:
* P O S T A G R A M: A formal military message sent via signal or courier, typically used for non-urgent but essential operational reporting.
* H.Q., R.A.F., M.E.: Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East.
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
* OPREP No;104: Operational Report number 104, a sequential record of combat missions.
* L.G.104: Landing Ground 104, a primary Axis forward airfield located in the El Daba sector of Egypt.
* Baltimores / Bostons: Refers to the Martin Baltimore and Douglas Boston light bombers. For this mission, No. 21 Squadron provided six Baltimores while No. 24 Squadron S.A.A.F. provided twelve Bostons.
* ft.: Feet, the unit of measurement for the release altitude of 10,000 feet.
* 250lb. G.P.43 detonator with extension rods: 250-pound General Purpose high-explosive bombs fitted with No. 43 tail pistols and nose extension rods (often called "daisy cutters"). These rods were designed to trigger the bomb slightly above the desert surface to maximize lateral fragmentation blast against "Dispersed aircraft" and unarmored personnel.
* A.A. posts: Anti-Aircraft artillery positions.
* T.O.O.: Time of Origin, recorded as 16:30 hours.
Operational Context:
OPREP No. 104 documents the "Fourth Show" executed on 24 October 1942, the first full day of daylight operations following the start of the Second Battle of El Alamein. Strategically, the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) were engaged in a maximum-effort campaign to achieve air supremacy by neutralizing the Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica on the ground.
The target, Landing Ground 104, was a vital Axis airfield hub. The tactical profile involved six Martin Baltimores of No. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F. operating in conjunction with twelve Douglas Bostons of No. 24 Squadron S.A.A.F.. The delivery of thirty 250lb G.P. bombs with extension rods confirms the intent to maximize shrapnel damage to airframes and ground crews.
Unlike previous missions on this date that were hampered by weather, the conditions over L.G. 104 were "Clear," allowing for the observation of "Several near misses, on A.A. posts". However, the lack of specific airframe kills and the report of "Heavy, accurate and intense" anti-aircraft fire highlight the substantial ground defenses protecting the El Daba airfields during this definitive Allied breakthrough. This document, archived as Folio 68, provides a primary record of the Desert Air Force's (DAF) sustained pressure on Axis forward air capabilities in the hours following the launch of the Alamein offensive.
89
Phase 1: Verification & Extraction
Identity Check: 24/10/42.
