Operational Report (Form 541)
- Aircraft
- 2 Marylands
- Duty
- Search over sea for possible survivors from two Allied Vessels, reported sunk North of Bardia
- Map reference
- Tobruk 1:500000
21 SQUADRON S. A. A. F. OPERATIONAL REPORT NO. 11 COPY NO...6....( Op. Order: Telephonic orders from 261 Wing and Lt. Col. Pretorius)MAP REF: Tobruk 1:500000DATE OF OPERATION. 13th. October 1941NUMBER AND TYPE OF AIRCRAFT. 2 MarylandsDUTY. Search over sea for possible survivors from two AlliedVessels, reported sunk North of Bardia.NARRATIVE. The two Marylands took off as soon as possible afterreceipt of the orders, and proceeded to the firstindicated spot ( 32 10' N 25 25' E )It had been intended that both Aircraft should searcheach locality, but as a dust haze made visibilityalmost nil, one of the aircraft left at once for theother spot ( 32 15' N 24 45' E ). Conditionshere were the same. Both aircraft carried out"Square searches" at a low altitude, for an hour and ahalf, and an hour respectively, without any success.Visibility range varied from one mile down to 0.WEATHER. Thick hazeTIMES. Airborne 1152 hoursOver indicatedco-ordinates. 1250 - 1425 hours.Landed 1450 and 1545 hours.Total hours flown. 6 hours 50 minutes.CREWS AND MACHINES.MACHINE NO. "Q" 1649 "B" 1672PILOT. Lt. McDonald Lt. ReidOBSERVER. 2/Lt. Reynecke 2/Lt. BeddyOP. GUNNER. Sgt. Russell Sgt. PapenfusGUNNER. Sgt. du Pre Sgt. ConnDISTRIBUTION LIST.204 Intelligence204 Operations261 WingWar DiarydododoFile[handwritten signature] L Saunders. Lt.SQUADRON INTELLIGENCE OFFICER.
Transcriber's Notes
- OP. GUNNER
- Operator Gunner. This aircrew member was responsible for wireless telegraphy (Morse code radio) communication and aerial photography in addition to manning defensive machine guns.