EL DJEM MAIN.

R.A.F. Form 441 A. SORTIE REPORT "H" 91 (Part A.) Sheet No. 1 Oprep. Ref. No. 289 Date. 8 MAY 43 Squadron 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. Leadersbox bombed from underground buildings towards N23. No. 2 Box bombed from the Southern underground hangar along the Eastern edge of the L.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 of underground entrances. Other bursts were close to A/C dispersed on 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 in an attack by an enemy fighter. Cat. 2. F/Sgts. A.J. van Coller & M. Koff both seriously wounded by fire from enemy fighter. BG Verticals and Obliques taken of the bomb bursts. BH Nil. BOMBER COMBAT BN 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's identified 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 three attacking at a time. The whole engagement lasted less than five minutes. BM Own tactics: Maintained close formation for concentrated fire power and opened fire on any E/A which came within range. Enemy tactics: E/A attacked from almost dead astern and slightly above. BN A/C & personnel casualties: See BF above. BO Enemy casualties: One Mc 202 claimed destroyed. 2 E/A damaged. 300 rounds .5 2000 rounds .303 [Handwritten Signature] ........................Capt. S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.