Bardia

[handwritten] 60 44 SECRET BOMBING REPORT REFERENCE Pilot : Lt. Gillies Observer : 2/Lt. M. A. Benzie Squadron : 21 BR Details of Target : Sgts. Boonzuaier & Low Ship in Bardia Harbour Place : Bardia Date : 28 / 9 / 41 Weather : Time : 1310 hrs. Fair Height : 12000 feet. (1) Bombs dropped : (2) Failures : 8 X 250 in stick of 5 ( 80 ft space) delay of approximately 2 seconds Nil and stick of 3 ( 80 ft apace) (3) Observed effects : 5 short North East of ship refer map B/5 27-H 3 to North of ship 150 yards " " 25-G (4) Details of photographs taken : Nil (5) Casualties to own aircraft and personnel : Nil (6) Casualties to enemy aircraft and personnel : Nil (7) Enemy A.A. ground defences encountered (a) location of defences (b) type (c) strength : Heavy A/A refer map B/5 27 G & H and on Western side of Bay. (8) Hostile patrols encountered (a) position (b) type and number of aircraft (c) if engagement resulted : Nil (9) Special comments : Nil Signed M. A. Benzie 2/Lt. NOTE :— (1) For intelligence purposes RECONNAISSANCE REPORT (A. M. FORM 401) must always accompany a BOMBING REPORT. (2) COMBAT (BOMBER) REPORT also to be completed if engagement with enemy aircraft occurred during flight.

1941-09-28 Bardia

__o_O_o__

Form 541

12,000ft.

MAP

Baltimore

Lt. Gillies Observer Pilot

2/Lt. M. A. Benzie Squadron Observer

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes") Glossary of Terms * 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.: No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force. During the 1941 North African Campaign, the unit operated as a light/medium bomber squadron within the Desert Air Force (DAF). * A/A: Anti-Aircraft artillery fire (Flak). Batteries were specifically identified at grid coordinates 27 G & H and the western side of the bay on Target Map B/5. * BA-BH (MARTIN BALTIMORE): The R.A.F./SAAF operational code and designator for the Martin Baltimore medium bomber. While the squadron became the primary operator of the Baltimore in 1942, during the missions of late September 1941, they utilized the Martin Maryland (e.g., Serial No. 1661 "D"), the direct technical and tactical precursor to the Baltimore in SAAF service. * MAP B/5: The tactical grid map of Bardia used for bomb aiming and defensive location reporting. * MC/GP (MEDIUM CAPACITY / GENERAL PURPOSE): Standard Allied ordnance designations for demolition bombs. The aircraft (Machine "D") carried 8 x 250 lbs munitions. * MET: Meteorological data. Weather (MET) for this midday strike was recorded as "Fair," permitting visual release from 12,000 feet. Operational Context Target File 272_61 documents the individual Bombing Report for Martin Maryland "D" (1661), piloted by Lt. Gillies, during a coordinated 18-aircraft strike on 28th September 1941 against Axis shipping in Bardia Harbour. The strategic importance of Bardia was paramount; as a fortified port, it served as the primary conduit for German and Italian logistical sustainment for the frontier garrisons. This raid was part of a broader Allied interdiction campaign intended to isolate the Axis frontier defensive line and destroy maritime supply assets prior to the launch of Operation Crusader. Execution Constraints The mission profile was conducted as a high-level horizontal bombing run from 12,000 feet at 13:10 hours. Technical analysis of the release by observer 2/Lt. M. A. Benzie details a split stick delivery: five bombs dropped with 80-foot spacing, followed by a 2-second delay, and a final stick of three bombs, also with 80-foot spacing. The observed effects indicate the ordnance fell short of the primary vessel: five hits were recorded northeast of the ship (grid 27-H) and three were recorded 150 yards north of the ship (grid 25-G). While no hostile aerial patrols were encountered by this specific crew, the operation was constrained by "Heavy" and "Intense" anti-aircraft fire from multiple shore batteries. This report is part of a wider squadron engagement where every aircraft in the 21 Squadron flight sustained shrapnel damage from the dense defensive fire around the harbor. Despite the accurate ground fire, Maryland 1661 returned to base without casualties, providing precise data on bomb fall and Axis battery locations to inform future strikes against the Bardia fortress. 62 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 29. 9. 41..