Bardia

1645 "J" BOMBING REPORT 40 56 [handwritten "57" over 56] REFERENCE Pilot : 2/Lt. Long-Innes Observer : 2/Lt. Cheeseman Squadron : 21 BR Details of Target : Sgts. Cockin & Hattingh Ship in Bardia Harbour Place : Bardia Date : 28 / 9 / 41 Weather : Time : 1312 hrs. Height : 12000 feet. (1) Bombs dropped : (2) Failures : 8 X 250 GP Nil (3) Observed effects : Own bombs unobserved. Saw numerous bursts on the land South of Target ship (4) Details of photographs taken : Nil (5) Casualties to own aircraft and personnel : Number of shrapnel holes in tail, fuselage and wings. (6) Casualties to enemy aircraft and personnel : Nil (7) Enemy A.A. ground defences encountered (a) location of defences (b) type (c) strength : Intense A/A heavy. Height very accurate (8) Hostile patrols encountered (a) position (b) type and number of aircraft (c) if engagement resulted : Nil (9) Special comments : Nil Signed H. W. Cheeseman 2/Lt. NOTE — (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.

1941-09-28 Bardia

__o_O_o__

Form 541

12,000ft.

MAP

Baltimore

2/Lt. Long Pilot

2/Lt. Cheeseman Squadron Observer

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 September 1941, the unit operated within the Desert Air Force (DAF) as a light/medium bomber force, primarily utilizing Martin Maryland aircraft for tactical interdiction of Axis supply nodes along the Libyan coast. * A/A (Enemy A.A.): Anti-Aircraft artillery fire (Flak). The report characterizes the ground defenses as "Intense" and "heavy," specifically noting that the Axis height-finding was "very accurate" at the formation's flight level. * BA-BH (MARTIN BALTIMORE): The R.A.F./SAAF operational code and designator for the Martin Baltimore medium bomber. While 21 Squadron became the primary operator of the Baltimore (BA-BH) in mid-1942, during the missions of late 1941, they utilized the Martin Maryland (e.g., Serial No. 1645 "J"), the direct technical and tactical predecessor to the Baltimore in SAAF service. * GP (GENERAL PURPOSE): A classification for high-explosive demolition bombs designed for blast and fragmentation effects against unarmored targets, shore installations, and maritime vessels. * MC/GP (MEDIUM CAPACITY / GENERAL PURPOSE): Standard Allied ordnance designations for demolition bombs. The aircraft carried a full load of 8 x 250 GP munitions. * MET: Meteorological data or section. Although specific weather codes are not detailed on this sheet, the visibility was sufficient for the observer to note land-based bursts south of the target. Operational Context Target File 272_57 is the individual Bombing Report for Martin Maryland "J" (1645), piloted by 2/Lt. Long-Innes, during a coordinated 18-aircraft strike against Axis shipping in Bardia Harbour on 28th September 1941. The strategic importance of Bardia was centered on its function as a fortified logistical hub for the German-Italian Panzergruppe Afrika. Interdicting Axis shipping within the harbor was a core component of the Allied strategy to degrade Rommel’s frontier logistical sustainment prior to the launch of Operation Crusader. The mission was executed as a high-level horizontal bombing run from 12,000 feet at 13:12 hours. Technical analysis indicates that Maryland "J" successfully released its full complement of 8 x 250 GP bombs. The observer, 2/Lt. H. W. Cheeseman, was unable to distinguish the aircraft's own stick but documented numerous bursts impacting the land south of the target ship, reflecting the high volume of ordnance—totaling 18,000 lbs—delivered by the combined No. 12 and No. 21 Squadron formation. Execution Constraints The operation was severely hindered by the lethal precision of Axis ground defenses. The report identifies "Intense A/A heavy" fire that was characterized by highly accurate height-timing. The technical toll on Maryland "J" was significant; the airframe sustained a "number of shrapnel holes" distributed across the tail, fuselage, and wings. Across the wider squadron flight, every aircraft was struck by fragments, with more than 200 holes counted across the nine 21 Squadron airframes. Despite the accurate ground fire, no hostile aerial patrols were encountered by this specific crew during the target run, and the aircraft returned to base without personnel casualties. This report, signed by 2/Lt. Cheeseman, provides primary archival evidence of the intense attrition environment faced by SAAF aircrews during the 1941 interdiction campaign against the Bardia fortress. 58 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 28 / 9 / 41.