Sortie Report (Form 541)
P O S T A G R A M "K1" -----------------
To : H.Q. R.A.F. M.E.From : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.Serial No. : 21 Sqdn/234Date : 22 MAR 43. OPREP No. 234 for period ending 1800 hrs. 22 MAR 43. ----------------------------------------------------
A Concentrations of MT and tanks SW and WEST of ZARAT.B 12 Baltimores Mk. 111 (21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.)6 Bostons (24 Squadron, S.A.A.F.)C (i) Medium level bombing attack.(ii) 8000 ft.(iii) 1605 hrs.D (i) 71 x 250 lb. GP 43 Det. (Rods) (1 hang-up)(ii) Nil.(iii) Formation bombed on leader. Bombs of the leader's boxfell from SW edge of ZARAT Village in a long stick dueWEST. The bombs of No. 2 box fell on and to the WESTof the village. Bombs were seen to drop among approx.12 guns firing in the area WEST of ZARAT. Two mediumfires started. (No MT or tanks seen in the target area).E Two A/C slightly holed by Ack/Ack.F Nil.G Nil.H (i) 1450 hrs.(ii) 24 hrs. 30 mins.J General weather fair. Visibility good. No cloud overtarget.K Heavy, fairly intense, but not too accurate.H.A.A. over target area. (To port and behind formation)6 H.A.A. guns at Z 51102 " " at Z 53145 H.A.A. guns at a point 1/2 mile NW of ZARAT.Approx. 12 guns WEST of ZARAT (in the area bombed ).COMM. : Nil. T.O.O. 1800 hrs.
(Handwritten Signature: [Illegible]) for Capt. S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
Transcriber's Notes
- H.Q. R.A.F. M.E
- Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East.
- OPREP No. 234
- Operational Report Number 234, the standardized daily summary of combat activity for the 24-hour period.
- MT
- Mechanical Transport, referring to Axis motorized logistics and supply vehicles.
- ZARAT
- A village located near the Wadi Zigzaou, serving as a tactical anchor for the Axis Mareth Line defenses.
- Baltimores Mk. 111
- The Martin Baltimore Mark III, a twin-engine light bomber.
- Bostons
- The Douglas Boston (A-20), a light bomber utilized here by No. 24 Squadron S.A.A.F. in a composite formation.
- A/C
- Aircraft.
[AUTO-CLASSIFIED — VERIFY CATEGORY]
S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.: Senior Intelligence Officer of No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force.
GP 43 Det. (Rods): General Purpose bombs fitted with No. 43 Detonators and extended nose fuzes ("rods" or "daisy cutters") designed to detonate at the surface to maximize lateral fragmentation.
hang-up: A mechanical failure where a bomb remains fixed to the release shackles.