Sortie Report (Form 541)
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/240Date : 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 ofNEW ZEALAND DIVISION. (Ref. Map : TUNISIA 1:500,000GABES)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. Allbombs dropped in the target area, in wadi's and oneither side of the Main Road running NE to EL HAMMA.Three small fires were seen at one time in the targetarea.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 baseapprox. 15000 ft.K Very slight, spasmodic L.A.A. and H.A.A. over the targetarea. H.A.A. opened up from SOUTH of GABES on one A/Coff 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.
Transcriber's Notes
- H.Q. R.A.F. M.E
- Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East.
- 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.
- A/C
- Aircraft.
- EL HAMMA
- A strategic Tunisian oasis town serving as the primary objective for the Allied outflanking movement.
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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"). 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.