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Lord Gort
LORD GORT ADDRESSES MALTA GOVERNMENT
When Lord Gort, Governor of Malta, presided for the first time over the Malta Council of Government, he declared in reply to an address of welcome that the eyes of the whole world were upon the Island. The three services and the civilian population, he said, stand together, and the fortunes of each are inextricably bound together. (1)
AIR RAIDS DAWN 28 MAY TO DAWN 29 MAY 1942
Weather Wind south-easterly, moderate to fresh. Fair; 90% cloud above 20000 feet. Visibility 15 miles.
0950 hrs Four Spitfires 603 Squadron airborne to intercept enemy fighters but are unable to catch them.
1030 hrs The air raid warning sounds as the hostile fighters approach and carry out a fighter sweep over the Island.
1403-1454 hrs Four Spitfires 601 Squadron Luqa are airborne to intercept enemy fighters. The air raid alarm sounds at 1415 hrs as they approach. The Spitfires do not engage and the fighters complete a sweep over the Island.
1505-1645 hrs Three Spitfires 126 Squadron Luqa are scrambled to intercept enemy aircraft which carry out a fighter sweep with no combat.
1638 hrs Four Spitfires 126 Squadron are scrambled from Luqa to intercept a formation of 24 aircraft, including fighter bombers and fighters. F/S Schade claims one ME 109 probably destroyed.
1715 hrs The air raid sounds as the hostile aircraft come within range of the Island. They approach Luqa airfield and four fighter bombers drop bombs on Luqa airfield, injuring two airmen.
1750-1910 hrs Eight Spitfires 249 Squadron Ta Qali airborne to intercept another sweep of fighters: no interceptions.
2030-2115 hrs One Spitfire 601 Squadron is airborne on night patrol: no comabt.
2207-2220 hrs One Beaufighter Malta Night Fighter Unit carries out night patrol: no combat.
2232 hrs Enemy bombers drop 100kg bombs on Luqa. One lands between the old NAAFI buildings and airmen’s billets.
2258-0139 hrs One Beaufighter Malta Night Fighter Unit carries out night patrols: no combat.
2306 hrs Enemy raiders drop high explosive bombs on Ta Qali.
0327-0759 hrs One Beaufighter Malta Night Fighter Unit carries out night patrols: no combat.
0415 hrs The air raid alert sounds for incoming enemy aircraft.
0428 hrs Bombs are dropped in Grand Harbour.
0440 hrs All clear.
Military casualties Nil.
Civilian casualties Nil.
OPERATIONS REPORTS THURSDAY 28 MAY 1942
AIR HQ Arrivals One Hudson from Gibraltar. Departures One Lodestar to Heliopolis.
HAL FAR 2130 hrs Four Albacores and two Swordfish are airborne to attack a southbound convoy in the Pantelleria area. Three Albacores return early with engine trouble. The remaining aircraft did not locate the convoy.
LUQA 0803-1030 hrs One Spitfire photo-reconnaissance of Messina and Catania. 2121-0427 hrs One Wellington S/D Flight on armed search for a convoy east of Malta. One unescorted merchant vessel was sighted: no strike. 2102-0110 hrs One Wellington 104 Squadron despatched to attack a given sector of Catania aerodrome. Bombs were seen to strike on or near main runway, among buildings and causing two small fires.
1st BN THE CHESHIRE REGIMENT 0725 hrs Revert to normal. E boats believed to have been laying mines. Working parties continue at Luqa; party for Fuel and Light finished for the time being.
1st BN THE DORSETSHIRE REGIMENT 1000 hrs Pte Meader is buried at Imtarfa Cemetery.
1ST BN THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY Working parties on Luqa aerodrome continue.
FORTRESS ROYAL ENGINEERS Bomb Disposal UXB Reported 6; dealt with 3 (1 x 1000kg; 2 x 500kg).
1ST BN THE HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT 17 vehicles, 4 Officers, 130-150 Other Ranks at Safi strip widening and levelling runway.
2ND BN THE ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS Aerodrome working parties continue.
8TH BN THE KINGS OWN ROYAL REGIMENT Night working parties building pens for aircraft 6 Officers 200 Other Ranks.
11TH BN THE LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS Luqa working party continued. 0715 hrs Revert to normal conditions. 0725 hrs Beach posts informed of minesweeping activity at entrance to Grand Harbour.
(1) AAP, Valletta – The Argus, Melbourne, 28 May 1942
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Malta: War Diary 