A report was made of a tarred road leading 5 miles South

6 [handwritten] 21 SQUADRON S. A. A. F. OPERATIONAL REPORT NO. 23. COPY NO.... (O. O. Orders: 261 Wing Operation order No. "A" 227 and Squadron Operation order No. 23) DATE: 6. 11. 41. MAP REF: Benghazi 1:100000 DATE OF OPERATION: NUMBER AND TYPE OF AIRCRAFT: 6 Marylands DUTY. Benghazi: High level bombing Dump "B" on Benghazi - Tocra road - near Coefia. NARRATIVE. After the usual refuelling at L. G. 75, the six Marylands set off for the vicinity of Benghazi. The route on this occasion was from South of Madalena to the Coast 25 miles North of Benghazi. The correct approach was difficult, owing to 8/10 cloud, and variable wind currents, and the attack, made on a bearing of 210 deg. was not particu- larly accurate; The majority of the bombs fell just West of the target, between the road and the edge of the dump, about 200 yards West of the most important target area. Three bombs appeared from the photographs, to have entered the target. A report was made of a tarred road leading 5 miles South East of El Abia, and terminating in a series of tracks, leading to what appeared to be a new dump area. Approximately 50 aircraft were seen on Benina L. G. A/A (Heavy calibre) was moderate and inaccurate. TIMES. Airborne 0650 hours. Landed L. G. 75 0735 hours. Airborne 0905 hours. Time over target 1145 hours. Landed base. 1400 hours. Total hours flown 35 hours 12 min. DISTRIBUTION. * S.I.O. H. Q. R.A.F. M.E. * Intelligence A.H.Q.W.D. * Operations do * S.I.O. 261 Wing * War Diary * do * do * do * File [handwritten signature] L Saunders Lt. SQUADRON INTELLIGENCE OFFICER.

1941-11-06

__o_O_o__

Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes") Glossary of Terms * 21 SQUADRON S. A. A. F.: No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force. During this phase of the North African campaign, the squadron operated the Martin Maryland, an American-built twin-engine medium bomber utilized by the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) for high-altitude daylight interdiction. * 261 WING / A.H.Q.W.D.: 261 Wing, Air Headquarters Western Desert. These were higher tactical command echelons within the Desert Air Force (DAF). * A/A: Anti-Aircraft fire. * BENINA L. G.: Benina Landing Ground. A primary Axis airbase complex in Cyrenaica. * L. G. 75: Landing Ground 75. A forward refueling strip essential for extending the operational radius of the Marylands for deep strikes into Libya. * S.I.O. H. Q. R.A.F. M.E.: Squadron Intelligence Officer, Headquarters, Royal Air Force Middle East. Operational Context Operational Report No. 23, dated 6 November 1941, records a deep-penetration daylight strike against Axis logistical infrastructure in the Benghazi sector. Strategically, Benghazi was the primary port for Rommel's Panzergruppe Afrika; its neutralization was a paramount Allied objective during the interdiction phase preceding Operation Crusader (launched 18 November 1941). Targeting Dump "B" near Coefia on the Benghazi-Tocra road specifically aimed to degrade Axis sustainment and storage capabilities along the vital coastal supply route. The sighting of 50 aircraft at Benina L. G. provided critical intelligence regarding Axis air force dispersal and reinforcement levels intended to oppose the upcoming Allied winter offensive. Execution Constraints The mission profile illustrates the tactical and navigational friction inherent in unescorted medium bomber sorties over the Western Desert. * Meteorological Interference: Extensive cloud cover (8/10 density) and variable wind currents significantly compromised bombing accuracy. The high-altitude approach at 11:45 hours forced the formation to release ordnance through intermittent gaps, resulting in the majority of the sticks straddling the road rather than hitting the primary dump area. * Navigational Difficulty: The report notes that achieving the "correct approach" was difficult under these conditions. Despite this, photographs confirmed that three bombs successfully "entered the target". * Armed Reconnaissance: Beyond the primary duty, the crews conducted detailed ground observations, identifying new Axis logistical developments such as the "tarred road" and potential dump areas southeast of El Abia. * Logistical Requirements: The cumulative flight time of 35 hours 12 minutes for the formation of six aircraft highlights the necessity of forward refueling at L. G. 75 to maintain operational presence over central Cyrenaica. The mission summary, signed by Lt. L. Saunders, documents a persistent Allied effort to apply pressure on the German and Italian supply pivot despite significant environmental constraints. 135 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 6. 11. 41.