Operation P O S T A G R A M P 2 200
: H.Q. R.A.F. M.E.
From: S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
Serial No. : 21 Sqdn/248
Date: 31 MAR 43
<u>OPREP No. 248 dated 31 MAR 43 for period ending 1800 hrs.</u>
A Dispersed A/C on SFAX EL MAOU L.G.
B 17 Baltimores Mk. III
1 Boston III (12 Sqdn.)
C Nil.
D Nil.
E Nil.
F Nil.
G Nil.
H (1) 1300 hrs.
(11) 9 hrs. 55 mins.
J General Weather Good. Visibility good. No cloud.
K Nil.
Comm Nil.
T.O.O. 1800 hrs. 31 MAR 43.
[Handwritten Signature] for Capt.
S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
P O S T A G R A M P 2 200
: H.Q. R.A.F. M.E.
From: S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
Serial No. : 21 Sqdn/248
Date: 31 MAR 43
<u>OPREP No. 248 dated 31 MAR 43 for period ending 1800 hrs.</u>
A Dispersed A/C on SFAX EL MAOU L.G.
B 17 Baltimores Mk. III
1 Boston III (12 Sqdn.)
C Nil.
D Nil.
E Nil.
F Nil.
G Nil.
H (1) 1300 hrs.
(11) 9 hrs. 55 mins.
J General Weather Good. Visibility good. No cloud.
K…
__o_O_o__
Form 541 Transcriber's Notes Phase 2: Technical Expansion
Glossary of Terms
* H.Q. R.A.F. M.E.: Headquarters Royal Air Force Middle East. The overarching strategic command for air operations in the Mediterranean, North African, and Middle Eastern theatres.
* S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer. The officer responsible for the synthesis of mission results and the certification of operational reports for the squadron.
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
* OPREP: Operational Report. Standardized daily report (No. 248) detailing mission results for the period ending 1800 hours.
* Dispersed A/C: Dispersed Aircraft. Refers to enemy (Luftwaffe or Regia Aeronautica) aircraft positioned in protective shelters or spread across an airfield to minimize damage from air raids.
* SFAX EL MAOU L.G.: Sfax El Maou Landing Ground. A major Axis aviation facility near Sfax, Tunisia, which served as a primary target for the Desert Air Force (DAF) during the final stages of the North African campaign.
* Baltimores Mk. III: Martin Baltimore light bombers, specifically the Mark III variant featuring a dorsal turret, which were the primary aircraft operated by 21 Squadron SAAF at this time.
* Boston III (12 Sqdn.): A Douglas Boston light bomber (A-20) from No. 12 Squadron SAAF, integrated into the 21 Squadron formation for this specific operation.
* T.O.O.: Time of Origin.
Operational Context
The mission detailed in OPREP No. 248 on 31 March 1943 represents a second operation of the day targeting the Sfax El Maou Landing Ground. Following the intensive morning "blitz" (OPREP 247) which utilized 18 Baltimores to strike aircraft shelters and dispersal areas, this afternoon sortie involved a formation of 17 Martin Baltimores and one Douglas Boston from 12 Squadron.
Strategically, these continuous strikes were essential to maintain the momentum of the British Eighth Army's pursuit following the breakthrough at the Tebaga Gap. As Axis forces retreated toward the Wadi Akarit line, airfields like El Maou provided the only staging grounds for German and Italian aircraft to harass Allied ground columns. While fields C through G and K are marked "Nil"—indicating no bombing was carried out during this specific 1300-hour flight—the mission served as a persistent reconnaissance and presence effort. The lack of bombing results in this OPREP suggests that either the primary target was not successfully acquired for a second strike or the formation acted in a secondary capacity to verify the damage inflicted by the morning's heavy bombardment, which had already ignited several large fires and impacted shelters. This operational tempo underscores the Desert Air Force’s commitment to achieving absolute air superiority before the final Allied drive into northern Tunisia.
248
Phase 1: Verification & Extraction
Identity Check: 31 MAR 43
