Operation

21 SQUADRON S. A. A. F. OPERATIONAL REPORT NO. 6 ( O. O. Nos. ... "A" 49. ) Copy No. 7... Date. 29.9.41 DATE OF OP. 29th. September 1941 NUMBER AND TYPE OF AIRCRAFT: One Maryland. DUTY. Photographic Recce of ship in Bardia Harbour. NARRATIVE. One Maryland recced Bardia Harbour at a height of 21000'. There was a good deal of cloud, but a useful gap allowed a good look at the ship. This had moved about 200 yards Southwards, and changed its fore and aft direction to 340 degrees and 160 degrees. A clear message was immediately sent back by the Wireless Operator Gunner. Photos were taken. The Aircraft returned to base, with a call at Group Headquarters en route, without incident. WEATHER. Hazy 4/10ths. cloud. A/A. Fairly intense, but behind and above. ENEMY AIRCRAFT. "NIL" TIMES. Airborne 0824 hours. Over ship 0944 hours Landed Hq. 1042 hours Landed base 1201 hours Flying Time 3 hrs. 30 min. APPENDIX "B" Crew and Machine. Machine No. L. 1668. Pilot. Capt. Thackwray. Observer. 2/Lt. Kiley. Air Gunners. Sgts. Earnshaw and M. E. Jones. DISTRIBUTION. * Hq. RAF. ME. S. I. O. * 204 Intelligence * 204 Operations. * Medium Bomber Wing S. I. O. * S. A. Liaison Officer Hq. RAF. ME. * * * * War Diary * File.

1941-09-29

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes") Glossary of Terms * 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.: No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force. During this stage of the Western Desert Campaign, the squadron functioned as a light/medium bomber unit within the Desert Air Force (DAF). * A/A: Anti-Aircraft artillery fire (Flak). Ground defenses encountered during this reconnaissance mission were described as "fairly intense," though technical positioning of the aircraft rendered the bursts ineffective ("behind and above"). * BA-BH (MARTIN BALTIMORE): The R.A.F./SAAF operational code and designator for the Martin Baltimore medium bomber. While 21 Squadron became the primary operator of the Baltimore (BA-BH) in 1942, during the missions of late September 1941, they utilized the Martin Maryland (e.g., Serial No. 1668 "L"), the direct technical and tactical precursor to the Baltimore in SAAF service. * MC/GP (MEDIUM CAPACITY / GENERAL PURPOSE): The standard Allied ordnance designations for high-explosive demolition bombs. While this specific mission was a non-bombing photographic reconnaissance (Recce) flight, the aircraft maintained a defensive posture with fully loaded machine gun magazines. * MET: Meteorological data or section. Weather (MET) for this sortie was recorded as "Hazy" with 4/10ths cloud cover, though a gap over the target allowed for successful photography. * RECCE: Reconnaissance. Operational Context Operational Report No. 6, dated 29th September 1941, details a critical lone-aircraft photographic reconnaissance mission over Bardia Harbour. The strategic importance of Bardia centered on its role as a fortified port for Axis fuel and ammunition, sustaining Rommel’s Panzergruppe Afrika. This flight followed two days of heavy squadron-level strikes on 27 and 28 September aimed at a large merchant vessel within the harbor. The primary objective for Capt. Thackwray and his crew was to assess the damage from the preceding 18,000 lbs of ordnance dropped and to determine if the target ship remained operational. Intelligence derived from this mission confirmed the vessel had shifted approximately 200 yards South and altered its orientation to 340/160 degrees, indicating it was likely still mobile or being shifted by salvage tugs. This data was vital for MAAF planning to evaluate the necessity of further interdiction strikes ahead of Operation Crusader. Execution Constraints The mission was executed at an extreme altitude of 21,000 feet to minimize the risk of interception and to maximize the field of view for the aerial cameras. Technical reliability of the Maryland's wireless equipment allowed for an immediate tactical report from the Wireless Operator Gunner upon sighting the target. While "fairly intense" anti-aircraft fire was encountered, the aircraft's high altitude placed it above the effective range or accurate tracking of the Axis batteries, with bursts appearing behind and above the machine. No enemy aircraft (such as the Me 109s that inflicted losses on the squadron two days prior) were sighted. The crew returned via Group Headquarters to deliver the time-sensitive photographic plates, completing a 3-hour and 30-minute sortie that provided the essential intelligence required to confirm the results of the Bardia interdiction campaign. 64 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 29.9.41.