Sortie Report (Form 541)
P O S T A G R A M "Z1" -----------------
To : H.Q. R.A.F. M.E.From : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.Serial No. : 21 Sqdn/238.Date : NIGHT 24.25 MAR 43. OPREP No. 238 for period ending 0330 hrs. 25 MAR 43. ----------------------------------------------------
A Enemy strongpoints in Square TY 91 (Ref. Map. TUNISIA1 : 500,000 GABES.) In support of NEW ZEALAND DIVISION.B 7 Baltimores Mk. 111.C (1) Medium level bombing.(11) 7200/9500 ft.(111) From 0207 to 0219 hrs.D (1) 36 x 250 lb. GP 43 Det. (Rods) One A/C returned withbombs.(11) Nil.(111) Bombs dropped either side of road (running NE to ELHAMMA) and in the wadis crossing the road. Two explosionsand one fire resulted. (~~Four five~~ ONE fire~~s~~ seen on arrivalat target.)E Nil.F Nil.G Nil.H (1) 0104 hrs. (25 MAR 43)(11) 16 hrs. 20 mins.J Weather and visibility good. No cloud.K Isolated H.A.A. over target. Inaccurate.COMM. Nil. T.O.O. 0330 hrs. 25 MAR 43.
(Handwritten Signature: [Illegible]) for Capt. S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
Transcriber's Notes
- H.Q. R.A.F. M.E
- Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East.
- OPREP No. 238
- Operational Report Number 238, the standardized daily summary of mission results for the period ending 03:30 hours on 25 March 1943.
- NEW ZEALAND DIVISION
- The 2nd New Zealand Division, under Lieutenant-General Bernard Freyberg, which was executing the "left hook" maneuver around the Mareth Line.
- Baltimores Mk. 111
- The Martin Baltimore Mark III, an American-built twin-engine light attack bomber.
- A/C
- Aircraft.
- EL HAMMA
- A strategic town and oasis in central Tunisia, serving as the objective for the Allied outflanking maneuver.
- H.A.A
- Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire.
[AUTO-CLASSIFIED — VERIFY CATEGORY]
S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.: Senior Intelligence Officer of No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force.
GP 43 Det. (Rods): General Purpose bombs fitted with No. 43 Detonators and extended nose fuzes ("rods" or "daisy cutters"). These were utilized to trigger detonation above ground level to maximize lateral fragmentation against unarmored targets like personnel and soft-skinned vehicles.
wadis: Dry riverbeds, frequently used by Axis forces for the concealment of equipment and personnel.