Operation P O S T A G R A M . "U"
To : H.Q., R.A.F., M.E.,
From : Senior Intelligence Officer, 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.,
Serial No: : 21 Sqdn/105 dated 24 Oct 42.
OPREP No.105 for period ending 17;00 hrs. on 24 Oct 42.
A. M.T. in rectangle 855300,855280,863280,863300
B. 12 Baltimores and 6 Bostons of 12 Squadron.
C. (i) Medium level bombing.
(ii) 9,200 ft.
(iii) 14.46 hrs.
D. (1) 72 x 250lb. G.P.43 detonator with extension
rods.
(ii) Nil.
(iii) Some bombs among well dispersed M.T.
E. 11 aircraft holed.
F. Nil.
G. Nil observed.
H. (1) 13.54 hrs.
(ii) 15 hrs. [Note: apparent clerical error, likely 1 hr. 06 mins. based on flight times]
J. Good.
K. Moderate over whole of target area.H.A.A. at
Abyad, Wyreir and Rahman.
COMM. Nil.
T.O.O. 17.00 hrs. C.
(Handwritten Signature: [Illegible])
SENIOR INTELLIGENCE OFFICER,
21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.
P O S T A G R A M . "U"
To : H.Q., R.A.F., M.E.,
From : Senior Intelligence Officer, 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.,
Serial No: : 21 Sqdn/105 dated 24 Oct 42.
OPREP No.105 for period ending 17;00 hrs. on 24 Oct 42.
A. M.T. in rectangle 855300,855280,863280,863300
B. 12 Baltimores and 6 Bostons of 12 Squadron.
…
__o_O_o__
Form 541 Transcriber's Notes 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 operational data and intelligence summaries via signal or courier.
* H.Q., R.A.F., M.E.: Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East.
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
* OPREP No.105: Operational Report number 105, a sequential administrative record for squadron combat sorties.
* M.T.: Mechanical Transport. This refers to German and Italian ground vehicles, including supply trucks and troop carriers, within the designated map coordinates.
* 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 9,200 feet.
* 250lb. G.P.43 detonator with extension rods: 250-pound General Purpose high-explosive bombs utilizing No. 43 tail pistols and nose extension rods (known as "daisy cutters") to trigger detonation above the ground, maximizing the lateral fragmentation blast against soft targets.
* H.A.A.: Heavy Anti-Aircraft artillery fire.
* Abyad, Wyreir and Rahman: Specific locations in the El Daba sector (Sidi Abd El Rahman, Wyreir, and Abyad) hosting established Axis flak batteries.
* T.O.O.: Time of Origin.
Operational Context:
OPREP No. 105 documents the "Fourth Show" of 24 October 1942, occurring during the critical opening daylight phase of the Second Battle of El Alamein. Following the initial breakthrough attempts by the Eighth Army the previous night, the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) were fully committed to tactical interdiction to disrupt German-Italian logistics and reinforcements.
The target for this sortie was a dense concentration of Axis Mechanical Transport (M.T.) situated in a rectangle near the El Daba sector. The mission utilized twelve Martin Baltimores (No. 21 Squadron) and six Douglas Bostons (No. 12 Squadron) delivering seventy-two 250lb G.P. bombs. The employment of extension rods confirms the tactical objective of neutralizing soft targets and unarmored vehicles through air-burst fragmentation rather than terrain cratering.
Resistance from the ground was substantial. The formation encountered "Moderate" Heavy Anti-Aircraft (H.A.A.) fire throughout the target area, emanating from established Axis batteries at Abyad, Wyreir, and Rahman. The intensity of this resistance is evidenced by the report that eleven aircraft returned "holed," emphasizing the high attrition risk even in the absence of enemy aircraft (E/A). Despite the wide dispersal of the target vehicles, the Intelligence Officer confirmed that bombs successfully impacted among the Axis transport concentrations. This document, archived as Folio 70, provides a primary record of the SAAF's contribution to the sustained air pressure required during the definitive breakthrough in North Africa.
93
Phase 1: Verification & Extraction
Identity Check: 24/10/42.
