Operation

P O S T A G R A M "E 2" -----------------

To : H.Q. R.A.F. M.E. From : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F. Serial No. : 21 Sqdn/240 Date : NIGHT 25.26 MAR 43. OPREP No. 240 for period ending 0600 hrs. 26 MAR 43. ----------------------------------------------------

A Enemy strong position in Square TY 91. In support of NEW ZEALAND DIVISION. (Ref. Map : TUNISIA 1:500,000 GABES) B 15 Baltimores Mk. 111. C (1) Individual Medium level bombing. (11) 6000 - 11000 ft. (111) 0310 to 0348 hrs. D (1) 90 x 250 lb. GP 43 Det. (Rods). (11) Nil. (111) A/C were over the target at three-minute intervals, and bombed on courses from 340 deg. to 040 deg. All bombs dropped in the target area, in wadi's and on either side of the Main Road running NE to EL HAMMA. Three small fires were seen at one time in the target area. E Nil. F Nil. G Nil. H (1) 0205 hrs. (11) 33 hrs. 45 mins. J Weather and visibility poor. 2/10 Cirrus cloud at base approx. 15000 ft. K Very slight, spasmodic L.A.A. and H.A.A. over the target area. H.A.A. opened up from SOUTH of GABES on one A/C off course. 15 Flashes seen. COMM. Nil. T.O.O. 0600 hrs. 26 MAR 43.

(Handwritten Signature: [Illegible]) Capt. S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.

1943-03-26

P O S T A G R A M "E 2" ----------------- To : H.Q. R.A.F. M.E. From : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F. Serial No. : 21 Sqdn/240 Date : NIGHT 25.26 MAR 43. OPREP No. 240 for period ending 0600 hrs. 26 MAR 43. ---------------------------------------------------- A Enemy strong positi…

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

[AUTO-CLASSIFIED — VERIFY CATEGORY] Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes") Glossary of Terms: * H.Q. R.A.F. M.E.: Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East. * S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.: Senior Intelligence Officer of No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force. * OPREP No. 240: Operational Report Number 240, the standardized daily summary of mission results for the period ending 0600 hours on 26 March 1943. * NEW ZEALAND DIVISION: The 2nd New Zealand Division, executing the "left hook" outflanking maneuver around the Mareth Line. * Baltimores Mk. 111: The Martin Baltimore Mark III, an American-built twin-engine light attack bomber. * GP 43 Det. (Rods): General Purpose bombs fitted with No. 43 Detonators and extended nose fuzes ("rods" or "daisy cutters"). These were utilized to trigger detonation upon surface contact to maximize lateral fragmentation against unarmored targets like personnel and soft-skinned vehicles in the desert. * A/C: Aircraft. * EL HAMMA: A strategic Tunisian oasis town serving as the primary objective for the Allied outflanking movement. * L.A.A. / H.A.A.: Light Anti-Aircraft fire and Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire, respectively. * T.O.O. 0600 hrs: Time of Origin, denoting the official filing time of the report. Operational Context: OPREP No. 240 documents a sustained night-bombing effort by 15 Martin Baltimores of No. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F. during the night of 25–26 March 1943. Strategically, this mission occurred during the final preparatory hours before the launch of the main assault of Operation Supercharge II—the Allied outflanking maneuver designed to bypass the static defenses of the Mareth Line. The Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) directed the Desert Air Force (D.A.F.) to maintain 24-hour tactical pressure on Axis strongpoints in Square TY 91 to support the 2nd New Zealand Division as it prepared to force the Tebaga Gap and advance toward El Hamma. Operating under poor visibility and 2/10 cirrus cloud at 15,000 feet, the aircraft arrived over the target at staggered three-minute intervals to maximize the duration of the harassment. The formation delivered 90 General Purpose bombs across the main road and adjacent wadis, igniting three fires in the target zone. The intensity of the Allied air umbrella is reflected in the cumulative flight time of 33 hours and 45 minutes recorded for this single mission wave. Axis defenses were noted as "very slight" and "spasmodic" over the target, though one Baltimore strayed off course toward Gabes and drew Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire (H.A.A.), with the crew observing 15 muzzle flashes. This archival entry, recorded as Folio 179, provides primary evidence of the unit's exhaustion of Axis tactical reserves through persistent night interdiction immediately prior to the decisive Allied breakthrough into central Tunisia. 220 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 25.26/3/43. (Note: This refers to the night operation of 25–26 March 1943).