The strange story of the Blenheims of 82 Squadron.

[sergey]

Colleagues, I read the following in the Malta War Diaries for June 25, 1941:
Malta’s Royal Navy and RAF commanders received urgent orders today to stop an enemy convoy ‘at all costs’. Intelligence reports had been received in London of a fast German troop convoy consisting of four large liners as well as merchant ships heading out of Naples for North Africa. In a combined sea and air operation, HM Submarines Urge, Unbeaten and Upholder were immediately sent to intercept while 830 Squadron Fleet Air Arm were also ordered in to attack, followed by RAF Blenheim low-level torpedo bombers.

In view of recent Blenheim losses, 69 Squadron was also asked to assist in the attack. The Maryland reconnaissance squadron was given the task of dive-bombing the convoy to cause a distraction and enable the main attack to be pressed home. Four Marylands spent this morning practicing over Filfla; the aircraft of Flt/Lt Warburton was damaged in the exercise.

A group of Marylands took off from Malta this afternoon to shadow the convoy. The 13 Swordfish of 830 Squadron FAA followed at 6pm and used the Marylands to locate their target. A second flight of four Marylands took off ahead of the Blenheims to launch the main night attack on the convoy.

https://maltagc70.wordpress.com/cate...941/june-1941/
The most puzzling thing is that a) 23 (!) Blenheims of 82 Squadron arrived in Malta on June 18-20, and b) Marylands of 69 Squadron and Swordfish of 830 Squadron took part in the evening attack on the convoy, but the Blenheims didn't attack (there are no reports from either the British or the Italians), even though there are reports of the sortie in both the Malta Diaries and the Admiralty Diaries. Considering that I couldn't find any mention of operations in Malta in May-June in the War Diary of 82 Squadron, there's some kind of mystery. Please help me solve it.

sergey