98

"N" 53 SORTIE REPORT R A.F. Form 441 A. (Part A.) Flight No. 1 Oprep. Ref. No. 98 Date. 21/10/42 Squadron 21 SAAF. Type of Aircraft. 6 Bostons of 24 Sqdn. Captain Lt. J.A. Mouton Aircraft No. and 12 Baltimores of Crew. Aircraft Letter. 21 Squadron. Time Up. 1305 Time Down. 1440 Aerodrome or L.G. 98 Total Time. 1 hr. 35 mins. Type of Cloud. Cumulus Map or Chart Amount of Cloud. 4/10 to 10/10 Reference. Base of Cloud. 7000 ft. Daba 1:250000 Visibility. Good. Sheet 14. General Weather. Good. Task or Duty. Medium level bombing attack on L.G. 104. Time. Height. Place. Narrative. LG 98 12 Baltimores of 21 Squadron airborne with six Bostons of 24 Squadron leading. Fighter escort (233 Wing) picked up. 1330 6000 LG 98 Formation set course for target. 1404 9800 Target Formation bombed on course of 107° at 220 M.P.H. Target:dispersed A/C on L.G. 104. LG 98 All A/C returned. Lt. L.C. Weir (Pilot) and Lt. W.J. Magid (observer) A/C 840 T, were slightly wounded by Ack/Ack shrapnel. Neither of the two is in hospital. (Handwritten Signature: [Illegible]) PART B (on reverse) to be completed according to relevant pro-forma in H.Q. R.A.F. M.E Instruction 34. PMEJ - 200.000 - 3/42 P.T.O. Part "B" BA Approximately 20 dispersed A/C on LG 104. BB 1404 hrs. BC Medium level bombing attack from 9800 ft. 72 x 250lb. G.P. 43 detonator with extension rods. BD All bombs fell in the target area. Number of near misses on A/C. Whole aerodrome covered by bursts. One fairly large fire observed. Very little smoke. Fire in NW corner of target. BE Heavy, accurate and intense Ack/Ack. Encountered shortly after leaving target. Over target Ack/Ack not so intense or accurate. No enemy A/C observed until over target when three fighters were seen taking off from LG 104. Top cover seen in combat scoring hits on one Macchi 202. One Macchi 202 attacked our formation without success. BF Six of our A/C holed. Lt. L.C. Weir (Pilot) and Lt. W.J. Magid (Observer) in A/C 840 T were slightly wounded. BG 30 Vertical and 11 Oblique photos taken. Speed: 220 M.P.H. Course: 120° Height: 9400 to 10400 ft. BH Four single engined A/C observed on Southern edge of LG 104 and Six more in the North-East corner. (Handwritten Signature: [Illegible]) 54 Aircrews. A/C 870 E. A/C 879 K A/C 877 J

Lt. Mouton Lt. Chisholm Lt. Gardiner Lt. Venter 2/Lt. Campbell Lt. Kerr A/Sgt. Rowe A/Sgt. Hodgkinson A/Sgt. Lane A/Sgt. Smith A/Sgt. de Villiers A/Sgt. Brown oooooooooooooooooooooooo

A/C 141 M A/C 942 G A/C 933 L

Capt. Rhodes Lt. Carlisle Lt. Meredith Lt. Hudson 2/Lt. Simon 2/Lt. Baillie A/Sgt. Stringer A/Sgt. Waldek A/Sgt. Smith A/Sgt. H.-Barber A/Sgt. Schumann A/Sgt. O’Regan oooooooooooooooooooooooo

A/C 940 V A/C 958 W A/0 915 S

Maj. Coppen Lt. Metcalfe Lt. Chiddy Lt. Farrant Lt. Smythe Lt. Simler A/Sgt. Bradfield A/Sgt. Forrest A/Sgt. Stevens Lt. Noakes. A/Sgt. Herbst A/Sgt. Forrest oooooooooooooooooooooooo

A/C 840 T A/C 935 Y A/C 873 N

Lt. Weir Lt. Liddiard Lt. Smith Lt. Magid Lt. Pickerill 2/Lt. Christie A/Sgt. Stopforth A/Sgt. Perkins A/Sgt. Moore A/Sgt. Carberns A/Sgt. Kruger A/Sgt. Viljoen oooooooooooooooooooooooo

(Handwritten Signature: [Illegible]) 54 Aircrews. A/C 870 E. A/C 879 K A/C 877 J

Lt. Mouton Lt. Chisholm Lt. Gardiner Lt. Venter 2/Lt. Campbell Lt. Kerr A/Sgt. Rowe A/Sgt. Hodgkinson A/Sgt. Lane A/Sgt. Smith A/Sgt. de Villiers A/Sgt. Brown oooooooooooooooooooooooo

A/C 141 M A/C 942 G A/C 933 L

Capt. Rhodes Lt. Carlisle Lt. Meredith Lt. Hudson 2/Lt. Simon 2/Lt. Baillie A/Sgt. Stringer A/Sgt. Waldek A/Sgt. Smith A/Sgt. H.-Barber A/Sgt. Schumann A/Sgt. O’Regan oooooooooooooooooooooooo

A/C 940 V A/C 958 W A/0 915 S

Maj. Coppen Lt. Metcalfe Lt. Chiddy Lt. Farrant Lt. Smythe Lt. Simler A/Sgt. Bradfield A/Sgt. Forrest A/Sgt. Stevens Lt. Noakes. A/Sgt. Herbst A/Sgt. Forrest oooooooooooooooooooooooo

A/C 840 T A/C 935 Y A/C 873 N

Lt. Weir Lt. Liddiard Lt. Smith Lt. Magid Lt. Pickerill 2/Lt. Christie A/Sgt. Stopforth A/Sgt. Perkins A/Sgt. Moore A/Sgt. Carberns A/Sgt. Kruger A/Sgt. Viljoen oooooooooooooooooooooooo

(Handwritten Signature: [Illegible])

1942-10-21 98

__o_O_o__

Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes") Glossary of Terms: * R A.F. Form 441 A.: Royal Air Force Sortie Report form, the standard document for recording mission parameters and initial narrative summaries. * Oprep. Ref. No. 98: Operational Report reference number 98. * 21 SAAF / 24 Sqdn.: No. 21 and No. 24 Squadrons of the South African Air Force. Both were light bomber units operating within No. 3 (S.A.) Wing. * Bostons / Baltimores: Refers to the Douglas Boston and Martin Baltimore light bombers, respectively. These aircraft were the primary tactical strike assets for the Desert Air Force (DAF). * Aerodrome or L.G. 98: Landing Ground 98, the operational base for the squadron during the October 1942 campaign. * ft.: Feet, the unit of measurement for the cloud base and release altitude. * L.G. 104: Landing Ground 104, a vital Axis forward airfield located in the El Daba sector of Egypt. * 233 Wing: No. 233 Wing R.A.F., providing the fighter escort (likely P-40 Kittyhawks or Spitfires) for the light bomber formation. * M.P.H.: Miles Per Hour, the ground speed during the bombing run. * Ack/Ack: Anti-Aircraft artillery fire. * A/C: Aircraft. * H.Q. R.A.F. M.E: Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East. Operational Context: The mission on 21 October 1942 was a high-priority "airfield suppression" strike launched just forty-eight hours prior to the commencement of the Second Battle of El Alamein. Strategically, the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) focused on neutralizing Axis air power on the ground to ensure Allied air superiority for the 8th Army's ground offensive. By targeting "dispersed A/C" (aircraft) on L.G. 104, the DAF sought to cripple the Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica in the critical El Daba sector. The tactical execution involved a combined formation: twelve Martin Baltimores of No. 21 Squadron SAAF following six Douglas Bostons of No. 24 Squadron SAAF, which acted as the lead unit. This "shuttle bombing" pattern was designed to saturate the target area with a high volume of ordnance from a medium-level altitude (9,800 feet). The report of "Ack/Ack shrapnel" wounding the pilot and observer of Baltimore serial number 840 "T" underscores the intense ground resistance encountered near the Daba airfields. Despite these casualties, the formation completed its run on a course of 107°, indicating an approach designed to align with the dispersal patterns and runways of the target airfield. This sortie was a final preparatory blow intended to erode Axis air defense capabilities before the breakthrough offensive. The archival notation "N 53" on folio 53 identifies its chronological placement within the unit's permanent operational record. 68 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: No specific date is recorded on the reverse of this form (Part "B"); however, internal cross-referencing with the corresponding Sortie Report (Part A) on folio 53 identifies the mission date as 21/10/42. Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes") Glossary of Terms: * A/C: Aircraft. Specifically, the Martin Baltimore light bombers of No. 21 Squadron SAAF and the Douglas Bostons of No. 24 Squadron SAAF involved in the strike. * LG 104: Landing Ground 104. A vital Axis forward airfield located in the El Daba sector of Egypt. * ft. / ft: Feet, the unit of measurement for the release altitude (9,800 feet) and the photo-reconnaissance range (9,400 to 10,400 feet). * 250lb. G.P.: 250-pound General Purpose high-explosive bombs. * 43 detonator with extension rods: Refers to the No. 43 tail pistol/detonator used with "daisy cutter" extension rods on the nose. These rods triggered the bomb above ground level to maximize lateral fragmentation damage against "dispersed A/C". * Ack/Ack: Anti-Aircraft artillery fire. * Macchi 202: The Macchi C.202 "Folgore," a high-performance Italian fighter aircraft operated by the Regia Aeronautica. * M.P.H.: Miles Per Hour, the airspeed maintained during the photo-reconnaissance run. * Vertical / Oblique: Types of aerial reconnaissance photographs; vertical shots are taken straight down for mapping, while obliques are taken at an angle for perspective. Operational Context: This Sortie Report (Part B) details the tactical results of the high-priority strike against LG 104 on 21 October 1942. Strategically, the mission took place during the "shuttle bombing" phase forty-eight hours prior to the Second Battle of El Alamein. The Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) intensified these raids to achieve air supremacy by neutralizing Axis aircraft on the ground as the 8th Army finalized its offensive preparations. The use of "extension rods" on the 250lb G.P. bombs confirms a specific intent to shred unarmored airframes through air-burst fragmentation. While the "Whole aerodrome" was covered by bursts and one fire was observed, the report of "Very little smoke" suggests that while aircraft or tentage were hit, major fuel or ammunition dumps were not detonated in this specific pattern. The report highlights the significant resistance encountered from both ground and air defenses. The formation faced "Heavy, accurate and intense" flak shortly after egress, resulting in six aircraft being "holed" and the wounding of the crew in Baltimore serial number 840 "T". Furthermore, the observation of Macchi 202s taking off from LG 104 and subsequent air combat underscores the direct pressure the raid placed on Axis air assets. The collection of 41 intelligence photographs provided essential data for assessing the remaining ten single-engined aircraft observed at the site, facilitating subsequent suppression sorties by No. 3 (S.A.) Wing. This document, archived as Folio 54, stands as a primary record of the tactical efficacy and operational costs of light bomber operations during the definitive breakthrough in North Africa. 69 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: No specific 'Date' column is present on the provided image; however, the document is marked as folio 54 and serves as the aircrew manifest for the mission detailed on folio 53, dated 21/10/42. Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes") Glossary of Terms: * A/C: Aircraft. In this context, the Martin Baltimore light bombers operated by No. 21 Squadron SAAF. * A/0: A clerical variation or error for "A/C" (Aircraft). * Maj. / Capt. / Lt. / 2/Lt.: Military rank designations for Major, Captain, Lieutenant, and Second Lieutenant respectively. * A/Sgt.: Acting Sergeant. * E, K, J, M, G, L, V, W, S, T, Y, N: Individual aircraft identification letters used by the squadron to distinguish between different airframes of the same type. Operational Context: This aircrew manifest, archived as folio 54, lists the twelve crews of No. 21 Squadron SAAF assigned to the medium-level bombing attack on Landing Ground (L.G.) 104 on 21 October 1942. Strategically, this mission was a critical component of the "shuttle bombing" campaign conducted by the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) during the final forty-eight hours preceding the Second Battle of El Alamein. The target, L.G. 104, was a vital Axis forward landing ground in the El Daba sector. The primary objective of such raids was airfield neutralization—destroying the Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica on the ground to ensure Allied air superiority for the 8th Army's imminent ground offensive. The manifest includes the crew of A/C 840 "T," led by Lt. Weir and Lt. Magid, who were both slightly wounded by anti-aircraft shrapnel during the mission. The standard four-man crew structure for the Martin Baltimore—Pilot, Observer, and two Gunners—is clearly reflected in the groupings. Senior leadership, including Major Coppen and Captain Rhodes, personally led these formations, illustrating the tactical necessity of experienced pilots during high-stakes interdiction raids against heavily defended Axis airfields. This document stands as the primary personnel record for a mission that successfully covered the target aerodrome in bursts and obtained critical intelligence photography just before the definitive breakthrough in North Africa. 70 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: No specific 'Date' column is present on the provided image; however, the document is marked as folio 54 and serves as the aircrew manifest for the mission detailed on folio 53, dated 21/10/42. Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes") Glossary of Terms: * A/C: Aircraft. In this context, the Martin Baltimore light bombers operated by No. 21 Squadron SAAF. * A/0: A clerical variation or error for "A/C" (Aircraft). * Maj. / Capt. / Lt. / 2/Lt.: Military rank designations for Major, Captain, Lieutenant, and Second Lieutenant respectively. * A/Sgt.: Acting Sergeant. * E, K, J, M, G, L, V, W, S, T, Y, N: Individual aircraft identification letters used by the squadron to distinguish between different airframes of the same type. Operational Context: This aircrew manifest, archived as folio 54, lists the twelve crews of No. 21 Squadron SAAF assigned to the medium-level bombing attack on Landing Ground (L.G.) 104 on 21 October 1942. Strategically, this mission was a critical component of the "shuttle bombing" campaign conducted by the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) during the final forty-eight hours preceding the Second Battle of El Alamein. The target, L.G. 104, was a vital Axis forward landing ground in the El Daba sector. The primary objective of such raids was airfield neutralization—destroying the Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica on the ground to ensure Allied air superiority for the 8th Army's imminent ground offensive. The manifest includes the crew of A/C 840 "T," led by Lt. Weir and Lt. Magid, who were both slightly wounded by anti-aircraft shrapnel during the mission. The standard four-man crew structure for the Martin Baltimore—Pilot, Observer, and two Gunners—is clearly reflected in the groupings. Senior leadership, including Major Coppen and Captain Rhodes, personally led these formations, illustrating the tactical necessity of experienced pilots during high-stakes interdiction raids against heavily defended Axis airfields. This document stands as the primary personnel record for a mission that successfully covered the target aerodrome in bursts and obtained critical intelligence photography just before the definitive breakthrough in North Africa. 70 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: No date is present; the 'Date' field is blank.