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SHIP IN HARBOUR

Over target: 1310 hrs Aircraft: H Pilot: Lt. Mathias Altitude: 12,000 ft Time: 13:10 hrs

Bombing Report (Form 541)

Target
Ship in Harbour
Place
Bardia
Date
28 / 9 / 41
Time over target
1310 hrs
Height
12000 ft
Bombs dropped
8 X 250 GP Stick
Observed effects
Did not see our stick but observed short stick 200' North of ship. Dust in quai area. 6 & 7 close-up and some short on West of Target
Details of photographs taken
See Gunners report
Casualties to own aircraft and personnel
Aircraft holed in numerous places
Casualties to enemy aircraft and personnel
NIL
Enemy A.A. ground defences encountered (a) location of defences (b) type (c) strength
Heavy A/A very accurate
Hostile patrols encountered (a) position (b) type and number of aircraft (c) if engagement resulted
NIL
Special comments
NIL
[handwritten "H"] BOMBING REPORT 39 55 [handwritten "56" over 55]REFERENCE Pilot : Lt. Mathias Observer : 2/Lt. G. B. Smith Squadron : 21BR Details of Target : Sgts. Wright & OswaldShip in Harbour Place : BardiaDate : 28 / 9 / 41Weather : Time : 1310 hrs.Fine Height : 12000 feet.(1) Bombs dropped : (2) Failures :8 X 250 GP Stick Unobserved(3) Observed effects :Did not see our stick but observed short stick 200' Northof ship. Dust in quai area. 6 & 7 close-up and some shorton West of Target(4) Details of photographs taken :See Gunners report(5) Casualties to own aircraft and personnel :Aircraft holed in numerous places(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 very accurate(8) Hostile patrols encountered (a) position (b) type and number of aircraft (c) if engagement resulted :NIL(9) Special comments :NILSigned. G. B. Smith 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.

Transcriber's Notes

MC/GP (MEDIUM CAPACITY / GENERAL PURPOSE): Standard Allied ordnance designations for demolition bombs. The aircraft carried a full load of 8 x 250 GP munitions.

Crew

Pilot Lt. Mathias Observer
Observer 2/Lt. G. B. Smith Squadron