Operational Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 1. 11. 41
- Aircraft
- 9 Marylands
- Duty
- (1) High level bombing of (2) Derna Harbour (3) dumps, buildings and aircraft Derna Landing Ground
- Map reference
- Target map B./4
721 SQUADRON S.A.A.F. OPERATIONAL REPORT NO. 19. COPY NO.....(O.O. Nos. 261 Wing Operation order No. "A" 197 andSquadron Operation order No. 19) DATE: 1. 11. 41.MAP REF: Target map B./4DATE OF OPERATION. 1st. November 1941.NUMBER AND TYPE OF AIRCRAFT. 9 MarylandsDUTY. High level bombing of (1) Derna Harbour. (2) dumps, buildings and aircraft Derna Landing Ground.NARRATIVE. Taking the sea route, the 9 Marylands, when about 80 miles out, turned in towards the town. The whole formation approached the first target, which consisted of a small ship lying alongside the mole, and the adjacent dock area. No. 1 Flight released their bombs, and one stick was seen to burst amongst buildings in the dock yard area and Southwards. One fire was started, and the power station narrowly escaped being hit. Another stick of bombs dropped southwards of the Mole, one burst on the edge being recorded.The formation carried on, altering course slightly, to allow the 2nd. and 3rd. Flights to attack the L.G. buildings, dumps and dispersed aircraft. No. 2 Flight dropped their sticks from North to South across the hangers, and results were most gratifying. North of the hangar two very large fires, xxxxxxxxxxxxx and three smaller ones were started, and a big explosion occurred. At least one building appears to have been demolished. No. 3 Flight bombing also had spectacular results. Flying across the large petrol dump at 26, and releasing in rapid succession, they scored many hits on the dump, and amongst dispersed aircraft. A large fire was caused in the dump, and at least 3 aircraft were set on fire. These reports are fully borne out by the excellent photos taken. On the return journey, after noting some 40 aircraft on Martuba West L.G. the formation was repeatedly attacked by 2 enemy fighters, acting separately. The first attacker appeared to be a M.E. 109, and the other which persisted in attacking for many minutes, was a G. 50. Neither of these fighters offered a chance to the front guns, but attacked from the beam, quarter, and stern. Several of the rear Gunners put in good bursts, and the G. 50 was finally hit and dived down under control. Three of our machines were hit. Spare guns were used several times by Pilots, and probably were most effective in preventing the E/A from approaching on the blind spot. 2000 pamphlets were dropped over the town and Landing Ground.WEATHER. Good.TIMES. Airborne 1150 hours. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxTime over target 1405 hours.Landed 1605 hours.Total hours flown 39 hours.PHOTOGRAPHY 5 cameras were used, and excellent progressive photos were taken of the bombing results.DISTRIBUTION.
S. I. O. HQ. RAF. ME.
Intelligence A. H. Q. Western Desert
Operations do do
261 Wing
*
* War Diary
FileL Saunders Lt.SQUADRON INTELLIGENCE OFFICER.
Transcriber's Notes
- 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F
- No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force. At this stage of the Western Desert Campaign, the unit operated the Martin Maryland, an American-built twin-engine medium bomber utilized for high-altitude daylight interdiction and reconnaissance.
- E/A
- Enemy Aircraft.
S. I. O. HQ. RAF. ME.: Squadron Intelligence Officer, Headquarters, Royal Air Force Middle East.
A. H. Q. WESTERN DESERT: Air Headquarters Western Desert, the command structure governing tactical air operations in the theater.