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SHIP IN BARDIA HARBOUR

Sunday, 28 September 1941

Over target: 1310 hrs Pilot: Maj. Stewart Altitude: 12,000 ft Time: 13:10 hrs

Bombing Report (Form 541)

Place
Bardia Harb
Date
28 / 9 / 41
Time over target
1310 hrs
Height
12000 ft
Bombs dropped : (2) Failures
8 X 250 lbs. in one stick NIL
Observed effects
Our bombs fell on bluff East South East of ship. Our No. 2 delayed 3 bombs and they dropped 250 yards North North East of ship.
Details of photographs taken
NIL
Casualties to own aircraft and personnel
NIL
Casualties to enemy aircraft and personnel
NIL
Enemy A.A. ground defences encountered (a) location of defences (b) type (c) strength
About 4 seen firing together approximately G 27 of Map B/5. Heavy black smoke bursts all around us and between the Aircraft in the formation. Several bursts heard and felt.
Hostile patrols encountered (a) position (b) type and number of aircraft (c) if engagement resulted
No enemy aircraft seen
Special comments
I got the Southern portion of ship into sights and consider undershoot caused by not allowing quite enough for the slow speed about 160 indicated. I set 170 and did not have time to change.
SECRET BOMBING REPORT 37 53 [handwritten "54" over 53]REFERENCE Pilot : Maj. Stewart Observer : 2/Lt. Duffus Squadron : 21BR Details of Target : Sgts. Viljoen & GoldmanVessel Lying in Bardia Harbour Place : Bardia Harb.Date : 28 / 9 / 41Weather : Time : 1310 hrs.Clear and fine. Visibility good Height : 12000 feet.(1) Bombs dropped : (2) Failures :8 X 250 lbs. in one stick NIL(3) Observed effects :Our bombs fell on bluff East South East of ship. Our No. 2delayed 3 bombs and they dropped 250 yards North North East ofship.(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 :About 4 seen firing together approximately G 27 of Map B/5.Heavy black smoke bursts all around us and between theAircraft in the formation. Several bursts heard and felt.(8) Hostile patrols encountered (a) position (b) type and number of aircraft (c) if engagement resulted :No enemy aircraft seen(9) Special comments :I got the Southern portion of ship into sights and considerundershoot caused by not allowing quite enough for the slow speedabout 160 indicated. I set 170 and did not have time to change.Signed D. Duffus 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.

Transcriber's Notes

MC/GP (MEDIUM CAPACITY / GENERAL PURPOSE): The standard Allied ordnance designation for high-explosive demolition bombs. The aircraft (Machine "A") carried a load of 8 x 250 lbs General Purpose munitions.

Crew

Pilot Maj. Stewart Observer
Observer 2/Lt. Duffus Squadron