)

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. TUNISIA 1 : 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 with bombs. (11) Nil. (111) Bombs dropped either side of road (running NE to EL HAMMA) and in the wadis crossing the road. Two explosions and one fire resulted. (~~Four five~~ ONE fire~~s~~ seen on arrival at 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.

1943-03-25

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 …

__o_O_o__

Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

[AUTO-CLASSIFIED — VERIFY CATEGORY] Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes") Glossary of Terms: * H.Q. R.A.F. M.E.: Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East. * S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.: Senior Intelligence Officer of No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force. * 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. * 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. * A/C: Aircraft. * EL HAMMA: A strategic town and oasis in central Tunisia, serving as the objective for the Allied outflanking maneuver. * wadis: Dry riverbeds, frequently used by Axis forces for the concealment of equipment and personnel. * H.A.A.: Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire. * T.O.O. 0330 hrs: Time of Origin, denoting the official filing time of the report. Operational Context: OPREP No. 238 documents a rare night-bombing sortie conducted by seven Martin Baltimores of No. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F. during the night of 24–25 March 1943. Strategically, this mission was of paramount importance as it provided direct tactical support to the 2nd New Zealand Division during Operation Supercharge II. While British Eighth Army infantry faced a stalemate at the Wadi Zigzaou on the main Mareth Line, the New Zealanders were executing a deep outflanking "left hook" toward the Tebaga Gap and El Hamma to bypass the fixed fortifications. The squadron targeted Axis strongpoints in Square TY 91 along the primary road running northeast to El Hamma. Operating between 7,200 and 9,500 feet under good visibility, the formation dropped 36 General Purpose bombs into the wadis and along the road shoulders. The intelligence narrative, featuring significant handwritten corrections, confirms that the strike triggered "two explosions and one fire," while noting that "one fire" was already active upon arrival. The transition to night operations for a traditionally daylight-oriented light bomber unit underscores the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) commitment to providing 24-hour pressure on the Afrika Korps logistics during this decisive breakthrough phase. This archival entry, recorded as Folio 170, signifies the unit's versatility in adapting to the shifting tactical requirements of the Tunisian Campaign. 207 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 24-25/3/43.