Operational Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 7.11.41
- Aircraft
- 6 Marylands
- Duty
- High level bombing Derna repair shops
- Map reference
- Target Map D./4
6 [handwritten]21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F. OPERATIONAL REPORT NO. 24 COPY NO.....(O. O. orders Nos. 261 Wing Operation order No. "A" 232and Squadron Operation order No. 24). DATE: 7.11.41MAP REF: Target Map D./4DATE OF OPERATION: 7th. November 1941NUMBER AND TYPE OF AIRCRAFT. 6 MarylandsDUTY. High level bombing Derna repair shops.NARRATIVE. 6 Marylands left L. G. 21 at 0855 hours, taking thesea route to Derna. The town was approached from theNorth, and the run in was made on a bearing of 200 deg.at 13000 ft. Although the comparatively small targetswere well recognised, fleeting cloud and anunexpectedly strong wind made diving difficult.Observation was difficult, but an analysis of the photosshow that 3 sticks started in the target — F (M.T. garage)and finished up in the native quarter; 2 sticks wereEast of the targets, starting in sea and continuingthrough 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 weresomewhat 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 Leadergot in good long bursts, as their 109 attacked fromthe stern and port quarter, and the spare guns werealso used. This 109 peeled over, went down in a verysteep dive and was seen by both Gunners to hit the deck,and apparently dissolve in flame and smoke, about 3miles East of Derna, near the coast line.The 2nd. formation were not so fortunate. Two 109sattacked repeatedly, and after some minutes, Capt. Parson's machine was seen to be in trouble. It fell away, withsome white smoke xxxxxxx being emitted. Both Gunnerscontinued to fire at the one 109 which continued toattack, and which was driven off. The Maryland waslast seen low down 20 — 30 miles North East of Derna.The other two machines were picked on at intervals andmany bursts were fired by the gunners, and with thespare guns. One 109 was certainly hit repeatedly.WEATHER. Cloudy. Clear over target.TIMES. Airborne 0850 hoursTime over target 1115 hoursLanded 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
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File[handwritten signature] L Saunders Lt.SQUADRON INTELLIGENCE OFFICER.
Transcriber's Notes
- 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F
- No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force. During November 1941, the unit operated Martin Maryland medium bombers as a critical component of the Desert Air Force (DAF).
- L. G. 21
- Landing Ground 21 (Fuka, Egypt), the squadron's primary operational base.
S. I. O. H. Q. R.A.F. M.E.: Squadron Intelligence Officer, Headquarters, Royal Air Force Middle East.