Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Duty
- Medium level bombing attack on dispersed A/C on SFAX EL MAOU L.G. | Time. | Height. | Place. |
R.A.F. Form 441 A.SORTIE REPORT(Part A.)P 2 201SECOND OPERATION OF DAY. Abortive.Flight No. 1 Oprep. Ref. No. 248 Date. 31 MAR 43 Squadron. 21 SAAF.Type of Aircraft.17 Baltimores Mk. lll1 Boston lll (12 Sqdn.)(See attached list.(Reverse side.Formation Leader:Captain Capt. MoutonCrew. Lt. Simon.(See attached list.(Reverse side.Aircraft No.Aircraft Letter.Time Up. 1300 hrs.Time Down. 1335 hrs.Total Time. 00 hrs. 35 mins. x 17Aerodrome or L.G. ZUARA.Type of Cloud. ---Amount of Cloud. Nil.Base of Cloud. ---Visibility. 20 miles.General Weather. Good.Map or Chart Reference.TUNISIA1:500,000SFAX.Task or Duty. Medium level bombing attack on dispersed A/C on SFAX EL MAOU L.G.| Time. | Height. | Place. | Narrative. ||---|---|---|---|| 1300 | | ZUARA | Airborne. || 1315 | 500 | " | S/C for PISIDA. || 1335 | 500 | | Formation recalled. (Raid cancelled) || | | Landed. | |PART B (on reverse) to be completed according to relevant pro-forma in H.Q. R.A.F. M.E. Instruction 34./PMEJ - 200,000 - 3/42 P.T.O.'P 2' 201PART "B"FORMATION HAD JUST SET COURSE FROMPISIDA FOR A BOMBING ATTACK ON SFAX ELMAOU L.G. WHEN FORMATION WAS RECALLED BYW/T AS RAID WAS CANCELLED.[Handwritten Signature] for Capt.S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
Transcriber's Notes
- 21 SAAF
- No. 21 Squadron of the South African Air Force.
- L.G. ZUARA
- Landing Ground at Zuara, Libya, the forward operating base for the squadron during the final stages of the Tunisian campaign.
- S/C
- Set Course.
- PISIDA
- A coastal location in western Libya/eastern Tunisia used as a navigational waypoint.
- PISIDA
- A coastal locality in western Libya near the Tunisian border, utilized as a navigational waypoint and assembly point for aircraft staged from forward landing grounds.
- H.Q. R.A.F. M.E
- Headquarters Royal Air Force Middle East. Operational Context The mission on the afternoon of 31 March 1943 was intended as a follow-up strike to the successful morning "blitz" (OPREP 247) against the Sfax El Maou Landing Ground. Strategically, the neutralization of Axis airfields near Sfax was a high priority for the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) to prevent German and Italian air units from harassing the British Eighth Army as it pursued retreating Axis columns toward the Wadi Akarit line. Despite "Good" weather and visibility, this "Second Operation of Day" was designated as Abortive. The formation, led by Capt. Mouton and consisting of 17 Martin Baltimores and one Douglas Boston, was airborne for only 35 minutes before being recalled and the raid cancelled at 1335 hours. While the report does not specify the reason for the recall, such cancellations during the fluid pursuit phase of the Tunisian campaign often occurred due to rapid changes in the tactical ground situation, which could render a planned target obsolete or create a risk of friendly fire as Allied ground forces advanced toward the Sfax region. The cancellation ensured the preservation of aircrews and ordnance for the next phase of the offensive against the collapsing Axis presence in Southern Tunisia. 249 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 31 MAR 43 Phase 2: Technical Expansion
- W/T
- Wireless Telegraphy. Refers to the radio communication system used by ground controllers to transmit the recall order to the formation leader.
R.A.F. Form 441 A.: Royal Air Force official Sortie Report template used to record mission specifics.
Oprep. Ref. No. 248: Operational Report reference number, cataloging this specific mission within the squadron's historical records.
Baltimores Mk. lll: Martin Baltimore light bombers, a type specialized for tactical desert operations.
Boston lll (12 Sqdn.): A Douglas Boston light bomber (A-20) from No. 12 Squadron SAAF, integrated into this 21 Squadron formation.
Dispersed A/C on SFAX EL MAOU L.G.: Enemy aircraft (Luftwaffe or Regia Aeronautica) positioned in protective shelters or open dispersals at the El Maou Landing Ground near Sfax.
SFAX EL MAOU L.G.: Sfax El Maou Landing Ground. A major Axis aviation facility near the Tunisian port of Sfax, serving as a primary base for Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica tactical operations.