Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Duty
- Medium level bombing attack on dispersed A/C on PANTELLERIA L.G. Time. Height. Place
R.A.F. Form 441 A.SORTIE REPORT "H" 91(Part A.)Sheet No. 1Oprep. Ref. No. 289Date. 8 MAY 43Squadron 21 SAAF.Type of Aircraft. 18 Baltimores.Aircraft No. See attached list.Aircraft Letter. "Leader of Formation:Captain Maj. Barnby D.F.C.Crew. Lt. Evans (Observer)See attached list.Time Up. 0930 hrs. 1st. A/C.Time Down. 1240 hrs. Last A/C.Total Time. 52 hrs. 30 mins.Aerodrome or L.G. EL DJEM MAIN.Type of Cloud. Cu.Amount of Cloud. Scattered.Base of Cloud. 4000 ft.Visibility. Fair.General Weather. Hazy.Map or Chart Reference. TUNISIA 1:500,000 Sheet NJ.32.SE. TUNIS Target Maps P/6 & P/7.Task or Duty. Medium level bombing attack on dispersed A/C on PANTELLERIA L.G.Time. Height. Place. Narrative.0930 EL DJEM Airborne.500 " S/C MAHARES.500 " Circuiting KERKENNA ISLAND.500 " S/C SOUSSE 001 deg.500 MSAKEN Circuit.500 1 ml. E SOUSSE S/C PANTELLERIA 050 deg. Picked up fighter escort 239 wing.10000 PANTELL.8500 PAN. LG Bombed 050 deg. IAS 210 mph.7000 " S/C 232 deg. for base.EL DJEM Last A/C 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.PART "B"BA Dispersed A/C on PANTELLERIA L.G.BB 1134 hrs. L.T.BC Medium level bombing attack from 8500/9300 ft.108 x 250 lb. GP 43 Det. (Rods)BD Fire burning at Square N23 on arrival over target. Leadersboxbombed from underground buildings towards N23. No. 2 Box bombedfrom the Southern underground hangar along the Eastern edge of theL.G. No. 3 Box bombed from pp. 8 towards Northern boundary of L.G.Bombs burst among 12 S/E and 3-engined A/C parked in front ofunderground entrances. Other bursts were close to A/C dispersedon the boundaries of the L.G.BE Two curtains of A/A, fairly intense but too late. Between 8000 &11000 ft.BF A/C 181 & 903 were holed by enemy fighters. Both Cat. 1.A/C 982 crashed in landing at MONASTIR L.G. after being damaged inan attack by an enemy fighter. Cat. 2.F/Sgts. A.J. van Coller & M. Koff both seriously wounded by firefrom enemy fighter.BG Verticals and Obliques taken of the bomb bursts.BH Nil.BOMBER COMBATBN 18 Baltimores in three boxes of six in squadron Vic stepped down.BJ Spitfires of 239 Wing.BK Five enemy fighters flying in line astern. Three Macchi 202'sidentified with what was considered to be a FW 190, and one ME 109 F.When first seen fighters were below own formation.BL Enemy attack was made from above and astern, not more than threeattacking at a time. The whole engagement lasted less than fiveminutes.BM Own tactics: Maintained close formation for concentrated firepower and opened fire on any E/A which came within range.Enemy tactics: E/A attacked from almost dead astern and slightlyabove.BN A/C & personnel casualties: See BF above.BO Enemy casualties: One Mc 202 claimed destroyed. 2 E/A damaged.300 rounds .52000 rounds .303[Handwritten Signature]........................Capt.S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
Transcriber's Notes
- Oprep. Ref. No
- Operational Report Reference Number.
- SAAF
- South African Air Force.
- Baltimores
- Martin Baltimore light bombers, the primary aircraft type utilized by 21 Squadron during the Mediterranean campaign.
- D.F.C
- Distinguished Flying Cross.
- A/C
- Aircraft.
- L.G
- Landing Ground.
- L.G
- Landing Ground.
- Cu
- Cumulus (cloud type).
- S/C
- Set Course.
- IAS
- Indicated Air Speed.
R.A.F. Form 441 A.: Standard Royal Air Force form used for recording the narrative and technical details of a combat sortie.
deg.: Degrees.
239 wing: No. 239 Wing RAF, a fighter wing typically equipped with P-40 Kittyhawks, providing escort for medium bombers.
mph: Miles per hour.
GP 43 Det. (Rods): General Purpose 250 lb bombs utilizing 1943 Rod-type detonators. These fuzes ensured instantaneous surface detonation to maximize fragmentation against soft targets such as parked aircraft.
pp. 8: Pinpoint 8 (a specific map reference or target coordinate).
Vic stepped down: A tactical formation where "V" shaped flights are tiered at different altitudes to provide mutual defensive fire coverage.