Sortie Report (Form 541)
"S"
P O S T A G R A M . 65To : H.Q., R.A.F., M.E.,From : Senior Intelligence Officer, 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.,Serial No. : 21 Sqdn/103 dated 24 Oct 42. OPREP No.103 for period ending 14.30 hrs. on 24 Oct 42.
A. 15th Panzer Div. at 860295.
B. 12 Baltimores and 6 Bostons of 12 Squadron.
C. (i) Medium level bombing. (ii) 9,300 ft. (iii) 1142 hrs.
D. (i) 66 x 250lb. G.P.43 detonator with extension rods. ( 863 Z. had 6 x 250 hang-up owing to electrical failure) (ii) Nil. (iii) One near miss - one fire over target area when a/c left.
E. One aircraft damaged in engine, and landed at L.G.172. ( a/c No.870 F.)
F. Lt.J.Johnson - wounded (a/c No. 870 F.)
G. Nil observed.
H. (i) 1050 hrs. (ii) 29 hrs. 24 mins. [Note: apparent clerical error for 2 hrs. 24 mins.]
J. Good.
K. Slight L.A.A. over target area.
COMM. Nil.
T.O.O.14.30 hrs. C. (Handwritten Signature: [Illegible]) SENIOR INTELLIGENCE OFFICER, 21 Squadron S.A.A.F.
Transcriber's Notes
- H.Q., R.A.F., M.E
- Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East.
- S.A.A.F
- South African Air Force.
- OPREP No.103
- Operational Report number 103, part of the squadron's sequential mission logging.
- 15th Panzer Div
- The 15. Panzer-Division, a major German armored formation of the Afrika Korps.
- L.G.172
- Landing Ground 172, a forward Allied airstrip used for emergency landings or refitting.
- L.A.A
- Light Anti-Aircraft fire.
[AUTO-CLASSIFIED — VERIFY CATEGORY]
P O S T A G R A M: A formal military communication method for transmitting non-urgent operational reports via courier or signal service.
ft.: Feet, the unit of measurement for the release altitude of 9,300 feet.
250lb. G.P.43 detonator with extension rods: 250-pound General Purpose high-explosive bombs fitted with No. 43 tail pistols and nose extension rods. These "daisy cutter" rods were designed to trigger detonation above ground level to maximize lateral fragmentation against unarmored targets and personnel.
a/c: Aircraft.