K HAA moderate and inaccurate except for height.

P O S T A G R A M N 2 194 : H.Q. R.A.F. M.E. From: S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F. Serial No. : 21 Sqdn/246 Date: 30 MAR 43 <u>OPREP No. 246 for period ending 1800 hrs. 30 MAR 43</u> A Dispersed A/C on SFAX EL MAOU L.G. B 12 Baltimores Mk. lll of 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. 6 Bostons of 12 Squadron, S.A.A.F. C (1) Medium level bombing. (11) 10300 ft. (111) 1701 hrs. D (1) 72 x 250 lb. GP 43 Det. (Rods) (11) Nil. (111) Formation crossed coast at TU 8328 and pattern- bombed on leader on ETA 4 to 5 mls. inland on course of 293 deg. It is estimated that bombs fell past the L.G. from the SW to the NW corner. E Nil. F Nil. G Nil. H (1) 1525 hrs. (11) 31 hrs. 00 mins. J Fair. Visibility hazy. 9/10 to 10/10 Cumulus over Target. K HAA moderate and inaccurate except for height. Accurate bursts were seen to follow A/C in centre of formation as left hand turn off target was made. COMM. Nil. T.O.O. 1800 hrs. 30 MAR 43. [Handwritten Signature] for Capt. S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.

1943-03-30

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion Glossary of Terms * H.Q. R.A.F. M.E.: Headquarters Royal Air Force Middle East. * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force. * OPREP: Operational Report. This daily summary (No. 246) details mission results for the period ending 1800 hours. * A/C: Aircraft. In field 'A', this refers to dispersed enemy aircraft on the ground; in field 'K', it refers to the squadron's own aircraft under fire. * SFAX EL MAOU L.G.: Landing Ground at El Maou, Sfax. This was a primary Axis airfield in eastern Tunisia. * Baltimores Mk. lll: Martin Baltimore light bombers. * Bostons: Douglas Boston light bombers (A-20). * GP 43 Det. (Rods): General Purpose bombs (250 lb) fitted with No. 43 Detonators and extension rods (anti-personnel "daisy cutters"). The rods ensure detonation above ground level to maximize horizontal blast effect against aircraft and personnel. * ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival. Here used in a navigational context to describe the position relative to the coast where bombing commenced. * HAA: Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire. * T.O.O.: Time of Origin. Operational Context The mission on 30 March 1943 represents a renewed attempt to strike the Sfax-El Maou Landing Ground after the previous day's secondary operation was aborted due to cloud cover. Following the Allied breakthrough at the Tebaga Gap, Axis forces were consolidating their retreat toward northern Tunisia, making the neutralization of airfields like El Maou—which supported the Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica—strategically vital to protect the British Eighth Army's pursuit columns. The strike force consisted of 12 Martin Baltimores from 21 Squadron SAAF and 6 Douglas Bostons from 12 Squadron SAAF. Bombing from 10,300 feet, the formation utilized 250 lb. GP bombs with extension rods, a choice specifically intended to shred the thin skins of "dispersed aircraft" noted in the target description. While the "9/10 to 10/10 Cumulus" cloud cover remained a significant obstacle to visual accuracy, the formation successfully "pattern-bombed" based on the leader's position. Despite "moderate" heavy anti-aircraft fire that tracked the center of the formation during its withdrawal, no losses were reported, maintaining the Desert Air Force's (DAF) continuous pressure on Axis aviation infrastructure during the final stages of the North African campaign. 240 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 30 MAR 43