Operation

21 SQUADRON S. A. A. F. OPERATIONAL REPORT NO 9. COPY NO...7.... ( O. O. Nos. "A" 65 and Squadron O. O. Order No. 9 attached). DATE: 5.10.41. MAP REF: Tobruk 1 : 500000 DATE OF OP: 5th. October 1941 NUMBER AND TYPE OF AIRCRAFT. 9 Marylands DUTY. High level bombing dump 494407 NARRATIVE. 9 Marylands took off at 0940 hours, and for the third time set out for the dump at 494407, just North of the Tobruk - Bardia road. Last minute instructions indicated that the South West corner was the important part of the dump, and the Target was approached from West to East, the three Flights attacking at heights of 12000 ft., 12500 ft. and 13000 ft. respectively. The first Flight released a little South of the corner and their sticks fell mainly on, and just South of the road. The other two Flights got about 70% of their bombs in the main dump, with one and possibly two in the Wadi on the Western extremity. Four cameras were used, and the analysis of the bombing is based on photos taken. Two Gunners reported seeing white smoke on Target from 30 miles. M. T. was reported on the Bardia - Tobruk road, a little West of Target by one Observer, and another Observer reported 30 dispersed M. T. at 496384. The Landing Grounds at Capuzzo North and Sattelite, and Sidi Aziz, were reported to have no Aircraft on them, but 9 Fighters were seen to take off from Bir - El - Baheira. WEATHER. Fine A/A NIL TIMES. Airborne 0940 hours. Attack 1103 do Landed 1230 do Total hours flown. 23 Hours. APPENDIX "A" ANALYSIS OF BOMBING On Target 35 Near misses 24 On and near road 13 72 = 18000 lbs. APPENDIX "B" /2

1941-10-05

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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 the Western Desert Campaign in late 1941, this unit operated as a light/medium bomber squadron within the Desert Air Force (DAF). * A/A: Anti-Aircraft artillery fire. No ground fire was encountered during this sortie. * BA-BH (MARTIN BALTIMORE): The telegraphic and operational code for the Martin Baltimore medium bomber. While 21 Squadron became the primary operator of the Baltimore in 1942, in October 1941 they were equipped with the Martin Maryland, the direct technical and tactical predecessor to the Baltimore. * BIR - EL - BAHEIRA: An Axis landing ground located in the frontier sector; observed as the point of origin for hostile fighter activity during this mission. * M. T.: Motor Transport. Observers reported dispersed concentrations of 30 vehicles at grid 496384 and active transport on the Bardia-Tobruk road. * MC/GP (MEDIUM CAPACITY / GENERAL PURPOSE): Standard Allied munitions designations for high-explosive demolition bombs. The formation dropped 72 x 250 lb bombs, totaling 18,000 lbs of ordnance. * MET: Meteorological data. Weather (MET) for this mission was recorded as "Fine," facilitating visual Battle Damage Assessment (BDA). * O. O.: Operational Order. * WADI: A dry riverbed or ravine. The western extremity of the target dump utilized a Wadi for natural concealment of logistics. Operational Context Operational Report No. 9, dated 5 October 1941, details the third consecutive strike against the Axis logistical concentration at grid 494407. The strategic importance of this "scattered dump" near the Bardia-Tobruk road was its function as a primary receiving point for fuel and supplies recently offloaded from maritime vessels. Interdicting these mobile reserves was critical to Allied efforts to degrade Rommel’s frontier logistical sustainment prior to the launch of the winter offensive, Operation Crusader. Intelligence derived from the previous raids on 2 and 4 October led to "last minute instructions" prioritizing the Southwest corner and adjacent Wadi. The visibility of white smoke from 30 miles post-attack indicates the successful strike of fuel or ammunition stores. Execution Constraints The formation of 9 Marylands utilized a West-to-East approach, attacking from staggered altitudes of 12,000 ft, 12,500 ft, and 13,000 ft. While the first Flight released slightly South, impacting the road, the remaining Flights achieved a 70% concentration in the main dump area. A significant tactical constraint was the presence of hostile air activity; although Sidi Aziz, Capuzzo North, and Sattelite landing grounds appeared empty, nine Axis fighters were observed taking off from Bir - El - Baheira. This increased aerial threat necessitated a disciplined egress after the 23-hour (cumulative) mission. The use of four cameras provided definitive photographic evidence for the Analysis of Bombing, confirming 35 direct hits on the target and 13 on the road, aiding the Desert Air Force in confirming the neutralization of this logistical bottleneck. 75 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: There is no 'Date' column on this specific page. However, the document serves as Appendix "B" to Operational Report No. 9, which is dated 5.10.41.