TIMES. Airborne 0850 hours

6 [handwritten] 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F. OPERATIONAL REPORT NO. 24 COPY NO..... (O. O. orders Nos. 261 Wing Operation order No. "A" 232 and Squadron Operation order No. 24). DATE: 7.11.41 MAP REF: Target Map D./4 DATE OF OPERATION: 7th. November 1941 NUMBER AND TYPE OF AIRCRAFT. 6 Marylands DUTY. High level bombing Derna repair shops. NARRATIVE. 6 Marylands left L. G. 21 at 0855 hours, taking the sea route to Derna. The town was approached from the North, and the run in was made on a bearing of 200 deg. at 13000 ft. Although the comparatively small targets were well recognised, fleeting cloud and an unexpectedly strong wind made diving difficult. Observation was difficult, but an analysis of the photos show that 3 sticks started in the target — F (M.T. garage) and finished up in the native quarter; 2 sticks were East of the targets, starting in sea and continuing through buildings to just South of the M. T. garage at 8. One stick hung up and were jettisoned on the turn away. Bombs dropped 40 x 250 = 10000 lbs. Immediately after the release, both Flights which were somewhat separated, were attacked by 3 M. E. 109s (?). One of these tackled the first Flight, and 2 the 2nd. Flight. Both Gunners of the first Flight's Leader got in good long bursts, as their 109 attacked from the stern and port quarter, and the spare guns were also used. This 109 peeled over, went down in a very steep dive and was seen by both Gunners to hit the deck, and apparently dissolve in flame and smoke, about 3 miles East of Derna, near the coast line. The 2nd. formation were not so fortunate. Two 109s attacked repeatedly, and after some minutes, Capt. Parson's machine was seen to be in trouble. It fell away, with some white smoke xxxxxxx being emitted. Both Gunners continued to fire at the one 109 which continued to attack, and which was driven off. The Maryland was last seen low down 20 — 30 miles North East of Derna. The other two machines were picked on at intervals and many bursts were fired by the gunners, and with the spare guns. One 109 was certainly hit repeatedly. WEATHER. Cloudy. Clear over target. TIMES. Airborne 0850 hours Time over target 1115 hours Landed base 1330 hours. Total hours flown 20 hours 17 min. DISTRIBUTION. * S. I. O. H. Q. R.A.F. M.E. * Intelligence A.H.Q.W.D. * Operations do * S. I. O. 261 Wing * War Diary * do * do * do * File [handwritten signature] L Saunders Lt. SQUADRON INTELLIGENCE OFFICER.