Operation

"S"

P O S T A G R A M . 65 To : 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.

1942-10-24

"S" P O S T A G R A M . 65 To : 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. …

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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: * 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. * 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. * Baltimores / Bostons: Refers to the Martin Baltimore and Douglas Boston light bombers. For this mission, No. 21 Squadron provided twelve Baltimores while No. 12 Squadron S.A.A.F. provided six Bostons. * 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. * L.G.172: Landing Ground 172, a forward Allied airstrip used for emergency landings or refitting. * L.A.A.: Light Anti-Aircraft fire. * T.O.O.: Time of Origin. Operational Context: OPREP No. 103 documents the "Third Show" of 24 October 1942, occurring on the first full day of daylight operations during the Second Battle of El Alamein. Strategically, the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) were engaged in intense tactical interdiction to support the Eighth Army's breakthrough efforts. The specific target was the 15th Panzer Division, located at map coordinate 860295 in the El Daba sector. The mission profile involved a joint formation of twelve Martin Baltimores (No. 21 Squadron) and six Douglas Bostons (No. 12 Squadron). The use of sixty-six 250lb G.P. bombs with extension rods confirms the tactical intent to inflict maximum casualties and damage on armored and motorized concentrations through air-burst fragmentation. The report notes a "fire over target area" upon egress, indicating successful strikes despite an "electrical failure" in aircraft 863 "Z" which caused six bombs to "hang-up". The cost of the engagement included one Baltimore (serial No. 870 "F") sustaining engine damage and being forced to make an emergency landing at L.G. 172. The crew of this aircraft suffered a casualty, with Lieutenant J. Johnson reported as "wounded". Despite the "Slight L.A.A." encountered, these localized ground defenses remained a persistent threat during medium-level strikes. This document, archived as Folio 65, provides a primary record of the Desert Air Force’s (DAF) direct pressure on German armor during the definitive phase of the North African campaign. 85 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 24/10/42.