Bombing Report (Form 541)
- Place
- Bardia
- Date
- 28 / 9 / 41
- Time over target
- 1312 hrs
- Height
- 12000 ft
- Bombs dropped : (2) Failures
- 1 stick 8 X 250 lbs. Nil
- Observed effects
- Own bomb bursts not observed. No. 12 Squadron’s bombs seen bursting on either side of ship, distant approximately 150 yards.
- Details of photographs taken
- 6 Obliques taken by lower Air Gunner M. E. Jones. No 6 damaged through magazine coming loose in cockpit.
- Casualties to own aircraft and personnel
- Aircraft 1641. Hydraulic system put out of action by A/A holes through fuselage behind Pilot, large hole port main plane. shrapnel through starboard engine. Personnel unhurt.
- Casualties to enemy aircraft and personnel
- Nil
- Enemy A.A. ground defences encountered (a) location of defences (b) type (c) strength
- (a) Numerous posts south East of Bay " " " near buildings on West side of bay " " " in area round small bay North of harbour
- Hostile patrols encountered (a) position (b) type and number of aircraft (c) if engagement resulted
- Nil
- Special comments
- Approached on a constant course, at constant it [sic] and A/S for 20 miles. Over Target 12000' constant.
"R" BOMBING REPORT 43 59 [handwritten "60" over 59]REFERENCE Pilot : Lt. van Heerden Observer : 2/Lt. Colenbrander Squadron : 21BR Details of Target : Sgts. M. E. Jones & KingwellShip Bardia Harbour Place : BardiaDate : 28 / 9 / 41Weather : Time : 1312 hrs.Fine. Vis. good Height : 12000 feet.(1) Bombs dropped : (2) Failures :1 stick 8 X 250 lbs. Nil(3) Observed effects :Own bomb bursts not observed.No. 12 Squadron’s bombs seen bursting on either side ofship, distant approximately 150 yards.(4) Details of photographs taken :6 Obliques taken by lower Air Gunner M. E. Jones. No 6damaged through magazine coming loose in cockpit.(5) Casualties to own aircraft and personnel :Aircraft 1641. Hydraulic system put out of action by A/Aholes through fuselage behind Pilot, large hole port main plane.shrapnel through starboard engine. Personnel unhurt.(6) Casualties to enemy aircraft and personnel :Nil(7) Enemy A.A. ground defences encountered (a) location of defences (b) type (c) strength :(a) Numerous posts south East of Bay" " " near buildings on West side of bay" " " in area round small bay North of harbour(b) Heavy(c) Intense(8) Hostile patrols encountered (a) position (b) type and number of aircraft (c) if engagement resulted :Nil(9) Special comments :Approached on a constant course, at constant it [sic] and A/S for20 miles. Over Target 12000' constant.signed. 2/Lt. ColenbranderNOTE — (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
- A/A
- Anti-Aircraft artillery fire (Flak). Ground defenses during this mission were reported as "Intense" and "Heavy," originating from three primary clusters around Bardia Bay.
- A/S
- Air Speed. The aircraft maintained a constant course and airspeed for 20 miles to ensure bombing accuracy.
MC/GP (MEDIUM CAPACITY / GENERAL PURPOSE): The standard Allied ordnance designations for demolition bombs. The aircraft carried a full load of 8 x 250 lbs munitions (GP).
Crew
Pilot Lt. van Heerden Observer
Observer 2/Lt. Colenbrander Squadron