Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 26 APR 43
P O S T A G R A M "H1"To : H.Q. R.A.F. M.E.From : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.Serial No. : 21 Sqdn/277Date : 26 APR 43.OPREP No. 277 for period ending 1800 hrs. 26 APR 43A Gun positions and MT at BOU FICHA Village.B 18 Baltimores.C (i) Medium level bombing attack.(ii) 8500 ft.(iii) 1524 hrs.D (i) 108 x 250 lb. GP 43 Det. (Rods).(ii) Nil.(iii) The road SOUTH of BOU FICHA Village, the village itself,and the road to REYVILLE were bombed. Two large buildingsin the NE corner of the village were hit, and two MT parkednearby were covered in bomb bursts. Direct hits were scoredon the road.E Two A/C slightly holed by A/A. Minor damage.F Nil.G Nil.H (i) 1420 hrs.(ii) 28 hrs. 30 mins.J General weather fair. Visibility hazy. No cloud.K Moderate HAA, fairly accurate, started on crossing the bombline, and increased in intensity near BOU FICHA and afterthe formation had turned out to sea.4 HAA positions at K 38032 HAA " at K 38043 HAA " at K 37033 HAA " at K 299050 (at solitary white house.)Comm. Nil.T.O.O. 1800 hrs. 26 APR 43.[Handwritten Signature]........................ Capt.S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
Transcriber's Notes
- H.Q. R.A.F. M.E
- Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East.
- S.I.O
- Squadron Intelligence Officer.
- S.A.A.F
- South African Air Force.
- OPREP
- Operational Report.
- MT
- Motor Transport (enemy vehicles).
- Baltimores
- Martin Baltimore twin-engine light bombers.
- GP
- General Purpose (bombs).
- A/C
- Aircraft.
- A/A
- Anti-Aircraft fire.
- HAA
- Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire.
Det. (Rods): Detonators, specifically rod fuzes extending from the nose to ensure instantaneous burst upon surface contact for maximum fragmentation.