Recon Report — Saturday, 27 September 1941

Observations

DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE.
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT.
Sheet No. .............
ROYAL AIR FORCE
Date 27. 9. 41
Ref. No. 27
Unit: 21 Squadron S.A.A.F.
Aircraft Type G.M. Maryland
Serial No. 1669
Orders or nature of duty:— Stick bomb Target "A" Bardia Dumps.
Map or Chart Reference :— 1:500000 Matruh and Tobruk
Pilot Maj. Stewart
Crew 2/Lt. Duffus
Sgts. Viljoen and Goldman
Time up 0615
Time down 0850
Total time 2.35
Visibility. Good
Weather. Fine 1/10 cloud over Target
Sea Reconnaissance only.
Wind
Direction ............. °True
Speed at ............. feet knots/m.p.h.
*Cross out term not applicable.
| Place | Time (Hrs.) | Height (Feet) | Report | Track (True) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L. G. 21 | 0615 | Airborne. S/C Fuka Point ( Ras Kanayis ) | 304 | |
| Ras Kanayis | 0635 | 4000' | 1 small ship ( 2000 tons ) 10 miles North of Ras Kanayis heading East | 292 |
| Mersa Matruh | 0657 | 12000 | 4 Cruisers heading East 10 miles North of land accompanied by 5 Fighter Aircraft | 280 |
| Gulf of Salum | 0717 | 20000 | 3 medium ships probably destroyers seen to port 45 miles North East of Bardia seen proceeding East and then taking violent evasive action. 1 A/A shell seen to burst between ships and ourselves about 4000' below. | 125 |
| 0735 | 20000 | S/C for Target. Descending and evading | South | |
| 0740 | 18000 | Attacking. Most of bombs in target area, some overshot. ( see bombing report ). Black A/A bursts around us not very close. S/C towards Sidi Omar. Descending and evading. | | |
| 0750 | 16000 | Some M.T. as previously report dispersed a few miles South of Tobruk. Bardia road | 220 - 200 | |
| 0755 | 14000 | 5 miles North West of Sidi Omar [strike-through] Altered course very little activity seen. | 120 | |
signed 2/Lts. Duffus, Bennie and Garden.
P.T.O.
35
Wt. 40173/3807. 300,000. 1/40. H.T.C. 51/5829.

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 September 1941, the unit was based at Landing Ground 21 (L.G. 21) in Egypt and served as a light/medium bomber force within the Western Desert Air Force.
* A/A: Anti-Aircraft artillery (Flak). The report notes a shell bursting 4,000 feet below the aircraft at sea and "Black A/A bursts" during the target run, indicating heavy calibre height-timed fused shells.
* BA-BH (MARTIN BALTIMORE): A twin-engine light/medium bomber aircraft manufactured by the Glenn L. Martin Company. While 21 Squadron became synonymous with this type in 1942, during this 1941 phase, they operated its technical predecessor, the Martin Maryland (G.M. Maryland), such as Serial No. 1669.
* L. G. 21: Landing Ground 21, the Egyptian base of operations for the squadron.
* M.T.: Motor Transport (wheeled vehicles).
* MC/GP (MEDIUM CAPACITY / GENERAL PURPOSE): The classification for standard Allied high-explosive demolition bombs. During the strike portion of this mission, the squadron dropped 250 lb G.P. munitions.
* MET: Meteorological data or section. The report cites "Fine" weather with minimal 1/10 cloud over the target, facilitating visual bombing from high altitude.
* RAS KANAYIS (FUKA POINT): A coastal headland in Egypt used as a primary navigational fix for aircraft heading west toward the Libyan frontier.
* S/C: Set course.
Operational Context
Target File 272_35 is a Reconnaissance Report (R.A.F. Form 401) documenting a high-level strike against Target "A" (Bardia Dumps) on 27th September 1941. The strategic importance of Bardia centered on its function as a fortified logistical hub for the Axis; Target "A" specifically comprised fuel and ammunition caches vital for Rommel's Panzergruppe Afrika. Neutralizing these reserves was a core Allied objective to degrade Axis mobile capabilities prior to the launch of the winter offensive, Operation Crusader.
The mission, piloted by Maj. Stewart in Maryland 1669, provided critical maritime intelligence during the ingress. The crew identified four cruisers and three destroyers heading east off Mersa Matruh and the Gulf of Salum, noting violent evasive action by the vessels and a single anti-aircraft shell bursting well below the formation. These observations provided the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) precursor units with real-time data on Axis efforts to sustain the frontier garrison.
Execution Constraints
The mission was executed as a high-level horizontal bombing run, with the attack commencing at 18,000 feet at 07:40 hours. While most bombs impacted the target area, some overshot. Execution was constrained by localized Black A/A bursts, necessitating immediate defensive maneuvers ("descending and evading") toward Sidi Omar after bomb release. During the return leg, the crew monitored Axis motor transport dispersed south of the Tobruk-Bardia road. The sortie lasted 2 hours and 35 minutes, concluding with a landing at L.G. 21. The signature of 2/Lts. Duffus, Bennie and Garden confirms this as a consolidated report for the three-aircraft flight.

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Phase 1: Verification & Extraction
Identity Check: 27. 9. 41.