Operation

P O S T A G R A M M 2 192 : H.Q. R.A.F. M.E. From: S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F. Serial No. : 21 Sqdn/245 Date: 29 MAR 43. <u>OPREP No. 245 for period ending 1800 hrs. 29 MAR 43.</u> A L.G. at U 7630. B 6 Baltimores Mk. lll of 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. led by 12 Bostons of 12 Squadron, S.A.A.F. C Nil. D Nil. E Nil. F Nil. G Nil. H (i) 1450 hrs. (ii) 11 hrs. 30 mins. J General weather good. Visibility good except on approaching target, when 10/10 Cu. Nimb. encountered. (Formation returned to base with bombs.) K Nil. COMM. Nil. T.O.O. 1800 hrs. 29 MAR 43. [Handwritten Signature] for Capt. S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.

1943-03-29

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion Glossary of Terms * 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. This specific entry, No. 245, covers the second reporting period on 29 March 1943. * L.G.: Landing Ground. The target for this aborted mission was an Axis landing ground located at grid U 7630. * Baltimores Mk. lll: Martin Baltimore light bombers. * Bostons: Douglas Boston light bombers (A-20), here from 12 Squadron SAAF. * 10/10 Cu. Nimb.: Ten-tenths Cumulonimbus clouds. This indicates total cloud cover, creating a complete visual obstruction of the target. * T.O.O.: Time of Origin. Operational Context The mission detailed in OPREP No. 245 occurred during the late afternoon of 29 March 1943. While the morning's mission (OPREP 244) successfully targeted retreating Motor Transport (MT) near Gabes, this second sortie illustrates the atmospheric constraints often faced by the Desert Air Force (DAF) during the Tunisian spring. The target, an Axis Landing Ground (L.G.) at grid U 7630, was part of the remaining Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica infrastructure supporting the German retreat toward the Wadi Akarit line. The formation, consisting of 6 Martin Baltimores from 21 Squadron and 12 Douglas Bostons from 12 Squadron SAAF, was forced to abort the strike due to the sudden encounter with "10/10 Cu. Nimb.". This heavy cumulonimbus buildup is characteristic of the unstable weather patterns in the Mediterranean theatre, which could rapidly render precision medium-level bombing impossible. Following standard procedure for failed visual identification of a tactical target, the formation "returned to base with bombs" to avoid indiscriminate jettisoning and to preserve ordnance for future operations as the Allied pursuit of Axis forces toward the northern Tunisian coast intensified. 237 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 29 MAR 43