BARDIA

SECRET BOMBING REPORT 22 30 REFERENCE Pilot : Maj. Britz Observer : 2/Lt. Wolhuter Squadron : 21 S. A. A. F. BR Details of Target : Sgts. Earnshaw & Petterson Dump A. 5 miles North West of Bardia Town. Place : BARDIA Date : 27 / 9 / 41 Weather : Time : 0743 hrs. Good Clear over Target Height : 20000 feet. (1) Bombs dropped : (2) Failures : 8 X 250 lbs. NIL (3) Observed effects : Bombs overshot Target. Last 3 bombs fell in gully 5 miles West of Bardia between dugouts and tents. 50 to 100 yards off road ( North ) (4) Details of photographs taken : NIL (5) Casualties to own aircraft and personnel : NIL (6) Casualties to enemy aircraft and personnel : NIL (7) Enemy A.A. ground defences encountered (a) location of defences (b) type (c) strength : A/A bursts at 20000 ft. Flashes noted on Coast at Bardia. (8) Hostile patrols encountered (a) position (b) type and number of aircraft (c) if engagement resulted : NIL (9) Special comments : SIGNED. R. F. Wolhuter 2/Lt. NOTE — (1) For intelligence purposes RECONNAISSANCE REPORT (A. M. FORM 401) must always accompany a BOMBING REPORT. (2) COMBAT (BOMBER) REPORT also to be completed if engagement with enemy aircraft occurred during flight.

1941-09-27 BARDIA

__o_O_o__

Form 541

20,000ft.

MAP

Baltimore

2/Lt. Wolhuter Squadron Observer

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes") Glossary of Terms * 21 S. A. A. F.: No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force. In September 1941, the unit operated within the Desert Air Force (DAF) as a light/medium bomber squadron, conducting high-level horizontal bombing against Axis logistical infrastructure in Libya. * A/A (Enemy A.A.): Anti-Aircraft fire (Flak). The report specifically identifies accurate height-finding with bursts reaching the 20,000 ft flight level. * BA-BH (MARTIN BALTIMORE): A twin-engine medium bomber manufactured by Glenn L. Martin. While the squadron converted to this type in 1942, during the 1941 campaign they were equipped with the Martin Maryland (e.g., Serial No. 1659 "X"), the technical and operational predecessor to the Baltimore in SAAF service. * MC/GP (MEDIUM CAPACITY / GENERAL PURPOSE): The classification for standard Allied high-explosive demolition bombs. The 8 x 250 lbs munitions released by this aircraft were designed for use against soft-skinned logistical targets and encampments. * MET: Meteorological data or section. Weather conditions (MET) for this sortie were recorded as "Good" and "Clear over Target," providing optimal visibility for high-altitude visual bombing. Operational Context Target File 272_30 is the individual Bombing Report for Martin Maryland "X" (1659), piloted by Maj. Britz, during the high-level horizontal strike against Axis logistical caches on 27th September 1941. The strategic importance of Dump "A" (located 5 miles northwest of Bardia Town) centered on its role as a primary reserve node for fuel and ammunition supporting Rommel's Panzergruppe Afrika. Neutralizing these caches was a core Allied objective designed to degrade Axis mobile reserves prior to the launch of Operation Crusader. The mission was executed as part of a 9-aircraft formation at an altitude of 20,000 feet at 07:43 hours. Technical data from Maryland "X" documents a successful ordnance release of the full complement of 8 x 250 lbs bombs with no mechanical failures. Execution was constrained by effective Axis anti-aircraft opposition. The observer, 2/Lt. Wolhuter, noted visible flashes from coastal batteries at Bardia, with Flak bursts accurately reaching the formation's 20,000 ft altitude. This opposition likely contributed to the bombing error; the stick overshot the primary dump. The final three bombs impacted in a gully 5 miles west of Bardia, striking between Axis dugouts and tents approximately 50 to 100 yards north of the road. Despite the overshoot, this strike contributed to the broader squadron effort that day, which claimed 20 hits on the target area and the destruction of ammunition evidenced by "bright flashes and flame". The aircrew sustained no casualties and encountered no hostile aerial patrols, returning to base to submit this report authenticated by 2/Lt. Wolhuter. 31 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 27 / 9 / 41.