Operational Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 24.10.41
- Aircraft
- 9 Marylands
- Duty
- High level bombing Gazala (South) Landing Ground
- Map reference
- Tobruk 1:500000 and Target map G./8
21 SQUADRON S. A. A. F. OPERATIONAL REPORT NO. 15 COPY NO...5....( O.O. Nos: 261 Wing Operation order Nos. "A" 157 and "A" 161and Squadron Operation order No. 15) DATE: 24.10.41.MAP REF: Tobruk 1:500000 and Target map G./8DATE OF OPERATION. 24th. October 1941.NUMBER AND TYPE OF AIRCRAFT: 9 MarylandsDUTY. High level bombing Gazala (South) Landing Ground.NARRATIVE. The usual sea route was taken by the 9 Marylands, and thecoast was crossed just East of Mersa - el - Gazala.The three Flights came in at 16000 ft., 16500 ft.,17000 ft., and attacked from the North.The South West corner, and Eastern boundary were hit byall bombs from Nos. 1 and 2 Flights. The 3rd. Flightundershot somewhat but part of one stick arrived acrossthe Northern boundary of the landing ground. A largefire was started at L/ 14, and a column of black smokewas still visible when our aircraft were 50 miles away.Photographs show particularly good results on theEastern boundary, one, and possibly two aircraft beingcompletely enveloped by the bursts, and others obviouslywithin the danger area. A number of beer bottles (empty)were dropped on the target, for sound effects.Three Fighters were seen to take off from this LandingGround, as our formation approached, and a few minuteslater, a Fighter approached to within about a mile of the3rd. Flight, and then turned away.A convoy of 30 M. T. was seen on the Tobruk road,proceeding East, and a large camp was seen about 5 milesEast of the target, near a Wadi North of the main road.WEATHER. Fine.TIMES. Airborne 1112 hoursTime over Target 1258 hoursLanded 1435 hoursTotal hours flown 30 hours 45 minutes.DISTRIBUTION.
S. I. O. HQ. RAF. ME.
Intelligence A. H. Q. Western Desert.
Operations do do do
261 Wing
*
* War Diary
File [handwritten signature] L Saunders. Lt. SQUADRON INTELLIGENCE OFFICER.
Transcriber's Notes
- L/ 14
- A specific grid or target identifier on the landing ground where a major fuel or ammunition fire was initiated.
- M. T
- Motor Transport; in this instance, a convoy of 30 vehicles was observed on the Tobruk-Derna road.
BEER BOTTLES (EMPTY): A psychological warfare implement; when dropped from the high altitudes utilized by the squadron, the airflow across the bottle necks created a high-pitched shriek intended to demoralize Axis ground personnel during the bombing run.
S. I. O. HQ. RAF. ME.: Squadron Intelligence Officer, Headquarters, Royal Air Force Middle East.