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DUMPS "A" & "B" BARDIA AREA

Over target: 1620 hrs Pilot: Maj. Stewart Altitude: 16,000 ft Time: 16:20 hrs

Bombing Report (Form 541)

Place
Bardia Harb
Date
27 / 9 / 41
Time over target
1620 hrs
Height
16000 ft
Bombs dropped : (2) Failures
8 X 250 lbs. in a stick Nil
Observed effects
Observed stick undershot in a straight line towards Target. Others in formation were left, right, (about 4) overshot.
Details of photographs taken
Obliques taken of harbour with loud bursts.
Casualties to own aircraft and personnel
nil
Casualties to enemy aircraft and personnel
nil
Enemy A.A. ground defences encountered (a) location of defences (b) type (c) strength
A/A guns along ridges both sides of harbour.
Hostile patrols encountered (a) position (b) type and number of aircraft (c) if engagement resulted
I saw 13 ME 110's having taken off from direction Sollum travelling North East at about 1000'
SECRET BOMBING REPORT 30 41REFERENCE Leading Aircraft in v Pilot : Maj. Stewart Observer : 2/Lt. D. Duffus Squadron : 21BR Details of Target : Sgts. Viljoen & HattinghMerchant Ship in Bardia Harbour Place : Bardia Harb.Date : 27 / 9 / 41Weather : Time : 1620 hrs.Fine. Clouds "Nil" Height : 16000 feet.(1) Bombs dropped : (2) Failures :8 X 250 lbs. in a stick Nil(3) Observed effects :Observed stick undershot in a straight line towards Target. Othersin formation were left, right, (about 4) overshot.(4) Details of photographs taken :Obliques taken of harbour with loud bursts.(5) Casualties to own aircraft and personnel :nil(6) Casualties to enemy aircraft and personnel :nil(7) Enemy A.A. ground defences encountered (a) location of defences (b) type (c) strength :A/A guns along ridges both sides of harbour.(8) Hostile patrols encountered (a) position (b) type and number of aircraft (c) if engagement resulted :I saw 13 ME 110's having taken off from direction Sollum travellingNorth East at about 1000'(9) Special comments :Signed D. Duffus 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.

Transcriber's Notes

A/A
Anti-Aircraft artillery fire (Flak). Batteries were identified on the ridges surrounding both sides of Bardia Harbour.
ME 110
Messerschmitt Bf 110, a twin-engine heavy fighter/destroyer (Zerstörer) utilized by the Luftwaffe for escort and interception.

MC/GP (MEDIUM CAPACITY / GENERAL PURPOSE): The standard Allied ordnance designations for demolition and blast bombs. The aircraft carried a load of 8 x 250 lbs munitions.

Crew

Pilot Maj. Stewart Observer
Observer 2/Lt. D. Duffus Squadron