31 August 1940: Malta Convoy Bombed

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CARGO SHIP HIT

HMS Dainty suffered near miss

Malta’s first supply convoy was attacked today as it headed for the Island. Despite diversionary tactics by the Mediterranean Fleet covering the convoy, an Italian submarine reported the location of the convoy earlier today and an Italian fleet immediately put to sea. At noon five SM 79s launched a determined attack on the convoy, then six miles from Elephonisi Island, south of Crete. Destroyer Dainty escaped with a near miss but the refrigerated cargo ship Cornwall suffered three hits and was set on fire. With many dead still on board, her crew battled to control the flames repair damaged engines while Cornwall, listing badly, limped on to rejoin the convoy.

Later this afternoon, Admiral Cunningham steered the British fleet into another diversionary manoeuvre which was followed by seventeen Italian ships. Cunningham closed on the convoy to deter any night attack and a heavy storm overnight prevented any further enemy action.    

8^th BATTALION MANCHESTER REGIMENT DIGGING IN

The 8th Battalion is working to improve living conditions and prepare for winter. Nissen huts have been constructed at Ta Saliba and Battle Headquarters, floors have been concreted and old walls rebuilt. Rats, which have been a significant problem, have been either exterminated or excluded from troops’ quarters.

Defences have also been strengthened. The Tal Pwales Valley has been wired to prevent the landing of aircraft. At Ghain Tuffieha Camp, slit trenches and air raid shelters have been completed and fire trenches have been installed. Further slit trenches have been commenced at Ta Saliba. A dozen new defence posts are now ready for immediate occupation and new wiring is being installed round the sector.

AIR RAIDS DAWN 31 AUGUST TO DAWN 1 SEPTEMBER 1940

Weather  Fine; cooler.

No air raids.

0920 hrs  Six Wellington bombers arrive at Luqa.

OPERATIONS REPORTS SATURDAY 31 AUGUST 1940

8^th Bn MANCHESTER REGIMENT  35 hens were bought and installed in a new sponsored poultry farm at Ta Saliba.

2nd Bn ROYAL WEST KENT REGIMENT  The CO and Adjutant visited Nigret, Mqabba and Hal Far.

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30 August 1940: Offensive Ops Could Bring Backlash for Malta

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ISLAND SHOULD NOT BE USED AS BASE FOR ATTACKS, SAYS GOVERNOR

Malta could suffer more air raids

Malta should not be used as a base for offensive operations against the enemy until the Island’s defences are considerably improved, according to the Governor and Commander in Chief. Lt Gen Dobbie believes that air or seaborne raids launched from Malta could provoke severe retaliation from enemy forces on the vital naval and air facilities of the fortress Island. In a telegram to the War Office, he made clear that neither active nor passive defences on the Island are strong enough at present to withstand heavy and sustained attacks.   

Plans already in hand to increase the anti-aircraft defences mean that by April 1941 Malta should be better able to deal with any such attack. In the meantime, he says, a defensive policy is essential and the Island not be used as an operational base unless the situation elsewhere urgently demands it.

AIR RAIDS DAWN 30 AUGUST TO DAWN 31 AUGUST 1940

Weather  Fine; dull in the morning.

No air raids.

OPERATIONS REPORTS FRIDAY 30 AUGUST 1940

2nd Bn ROYAL WEST KENT REGIMENT  The General Officer Commanding visited the Battalion and toured the Marsa defences.

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29 August 1940: Malta’s First Convoy On Its Way

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CONVOY WITH URGENT STORES EXPECTED WITHIN DAYS

SS Cornwall (1)

A convoy consisting of British cargo ship Cornwall, freighter Volo and the RFA oil tanker Plumleaf sailed from Alexandria at 2045 hrs today with urgent stores for Malta. Cruisers Gloucester, Kent and Liverpool and destroyers Jervis, Juno, Dainty and Diamond are acting as close escort.

During the passage of the convoy, codenamed MF2, reinforcements for the Mediterranean Fleet will pass through from Gibraltar to Alexandria, to divert attention from the convoy and also to act as additional cover in case of surface attack.

In all, a massive fleet is expected to put to sea from Alexandria, in addition to the convoy and escort. They include the battleships Malaya and Warspite, the carrier Eagle, cruisers Orion and Sydney, and destroyers Decoy, Defender, Garland, Hasty, Hereward, Hyperion, Ilex, Imperial, Stuart, Vampire, Vendetta and Voyager. This heavier force will keep its distance from the supply convoy, ready to meet any possible interception by the Italian navy.

Known as ‘Operation Hats’, vessels sailing from Gibraltar are the battlecruiser Renown, battleship Valiant and aircraft carrier Illustrious, with cruisers Calcutta and Coventry (all bound for Alexandria) and Sheffield, plus destroyers Encounter, Faulknor, Firedrake, Forester, Foresight, Fortune, Fury, Hero, Velox and Wishart, Gallant, Greyhound, Griffin, Hotspur, Janus, Mohawk and Nubian – the latter seven bound for the Mediterranean Fleet.

AIR RAIDS DAWN 29 AUGUST TO DAWN 30 AUGUST 1940

Weather  Fine.

0837-0928 hrs  Air raid alert for 12 enemy bombers closely followed by 12 CR42s approach from the north in three formations at high altitude and fly south over the Island. The bombers turn south south east and circle away in a large sweep. The fighters linger. Four Hurricanes are scrambled and ascend to 23000 feet before attacking them. They are immediately counter-attacked by CR42s from above. Meanwhile the bombers fly in and drop some 30 high explosive and incendiary bombs on the Hamrun, Marsa and Luqa areas, including several on the Marsa to Zurrieq road. Five land on the Race Club, seven on Marsa Club, eight on the golf course, five on the Poor House, eight on Addolorata, three on Luqa village and fourteen on Luqa aerodrome. Six civilians are slightly injured and properties damaged. One building in the Marsa Club area is destroyed by a direct hit. One Bren carrier and two military vehicles are slightly damaged. Four unexploded bombs are reported and dug out, including two on Luqa aerodrome which are exploded later in the day.  

0845 hrs  Six Wellington bombers land at Malta.

OPERATIONS REPORTS THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 1940

ROYAL ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS Bomb Disposal UXB 1 HE 250lb near Luqa; 3 HE 130lb Marsa Sports Ground.

(1)  www.clydesite.co.uk

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28 August 1940: Air Force in Malta to Expand

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EXPANDED AIR FORCE WILL NEED GUNS AND GROUNDS

The Air Force based on Malta is expected to expand significantly, according to a telegram from the War Office to Malta’s Governor and Commander in Chief. The plans have raised concerns among military chiefs on the Island who will need further facilities to be developed to meet the needs of a greater force.

AOC Malta Air Commodore Forster Maynard (r) with Flt Lt G Burges.

The Air Officer Commanding has already requested further dispersal areas for aircraft beyond the existing airfields. Such expansion would also require additional anti-aircraft protection.

Lt Gen Dobbie has written to the War Office strongly recommending that 12 Heavy and 10 Light Ack Ack guns now in transit on board fast ships be allotted to Malta, in addition to a similar number which have already been allocated and are expected to arrive imminently. He Also stressed that manning of the Heavy guns will require 27 Ack Ack Battery currently also in transit via “Operation Serenade” is posted to Malta. Light guns can be manned from local resources, if the War Office agrees to the commissioning of six additional Royal Malta Artillery officers to train immediately.

In a separate development, a secret and personal telegram from Vice Admiral Malta has confirmed that the following are expected to arrive Malta shortly by ship: 416 boxes Bofors ammunition, 16 Bofors barrels, 100 Bren guns, 10 Bofors guns, eight 3.7” Ack Ack guns, three predictors, two height finders, ten 4.5” Ack Ack barrels.

AIR RAIDS DAWN 28 AUGUST TO DAWN 29 AUGUST 1940

Weather  Fine.

1030-1044 hrs  Air raid warning for five enemy aircraft which approach the Island at 20000 feet to within six miles of the coastline, then turn away eastward. Four Hurricanes are scrambled but do not intercept. The raid does not materialize.

2110-2151 hrs  A searchlight co-operation exercise with Hurricane fighters is interrupted by an air raid warning for two enemy aircraft which approach to within ten miles east of the island. They circle for half an hour then turn away to the north east. The Hurricanes do not engage.

OPERATIONS REPORTS WEDNESDAY 28 AUGUST 1940

AIR HQ  One Sunderland reconnaissance westward of north African coast from Salita Island to 60 miles west of Algiers.

1^st HEAVY REGIMENT, ROYAL MALTA ARTILLERY  Construction begun of mantlets for 8 inch guns at Fort Campbell. A second machine gun post is completed and a third started.

 

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27 August 1940: 100 More Heavy Guns for Malta

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WAR OFFICE TO STRENGTHEN ACK-ACK FORCE

Mobile Bofors gun (c) IWM A20199

Military chiefs in London have decided to significantly strengthen anti-aircraft forces in Malta. In a Top Secret telegram to the Governor and C in C today, the War Office announced plans to increase Ack-Ack defences to 112 Heavy and six Light guns by April 1941. The majority of Heavy guns will be static, but the War Office expects to send twelve mobile Bofors out of a total of 42 which will be required.  

Lt Gen Dobbie will be expected to recruit and train personnel for eight Heavy and eight Light guns by January 1941 and a further eight Heavy and eight Light guns by April 1941. Manning personnel for the remainder will be posted to Malta from the UK.

Work on developing suitable gun sites is to be arranged to meet the January and April deadlines. Further details are set to follow regarding accommodation for the new troops but in the meantime, the Island’s Commander in Chief was asked for an immediate response to the plans.

AIR RAIDS DAWN 27 AUGUST TO DAWN 28 AUGUST 1940

Weather  Fine; cloudy.

No air raids.

OPERATIONS REPORTS TUESDAY 27 AUGUST 1940

ROYAL NAVY  Nubian, Mohawk, Janus and Hero sailed. A floating mine was sunk by C306 two miles off Delimara.

AIR HQ  0330 hrs Sunderland L8159 of 230 Squadron reconnaissance of Kithera was forced to land and detained by the Greeks; the crew are likely to be interned. 1000 hrs One Hudson photographic reconnaissance of Tripoli.   French Latecoere with French crew reconnaissance west of Malta to 10 miles NW of Cape Bon.

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26 August 1940: Blenheim Runs Out of Fuel Trying to Reach Malta

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BLENHEIM DITCHES IN THE SEA

RAF Blenheim

Another Blenheim aircraft was lost today trying to reach Malta. The bomber set out from Gibraltar for Malta early today but was seen ditching in the sea 55 miles from Dingli. The aircraft is one of the latest Blenheims stopping off at Malta en route for the Middle East.

Blenheim T2058 was piloted by Warrant Officer G H ‘Pee Wee’ Cluley. It is thought he ran out of fuel near Pantelleria and was attempting to land there but fell short and came down in the sea.    

A Swordfish, a Sunderland and HMS Nubian were sent immediately to search the area but found nothing. Further aircraft continued to search throughout the afternoon but there was no sighting. WO Cluley has been listed as missing.

AIR RAIDS DAWN 26 AUGUST TO DAWN 27 AUGUST 1940

Weather  Fine; cooler.

No air raids.

OPERATIONS REPORTS MONDAY 26 AUGUST 1940

ROYAL NAVY  Janus arrived. A floating mine was sunk ten miles off St Elmo by Beryl.

8^th Bn MANCHESTER REGIMENT  A canteen was opened in an empty house at St Paul’s Bay. Several women from the district have offered to help run the canteen.

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25 August 1940: New Curfew Stops Maltese Attending Mass

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CURFEW EXTENDED

The end time of the overnight curfew is to be extended by one hour. The curfew will now ban all persons in Malta from proceeding more than five yards beyond their doorstep between the hours of 8.30pm and 6am (although movement within town or village limits is to be allowed up to 10pm). Breach of curfew can incur a penalty of up to 15 days in prison. However, the new restriction has attracted widespread protest from people who say they can no longer attend Mass before work, as is their custom. (1)

MALTA NEEDS MORE ORDNANCE PERSONNEL

From: Governor & C in C                       To: War Office

The Governor and C in C wrote to the War Office stressing the pressing need for the additional Ordnance Officers and RAOC Other Ranks to deal with increases in the Island’s Garrison. Ordnance Command Headquarters has seen a massive increase of work and responsibilities as a result. The personnel will also be needed to oversee additional storage depots for ammunition and stores expected to arrive within days. Lt Gen Dobbie described the increase in personnel as ‘absolutely essential’ and requested immediate postings to Malta.

AIR RAIDS DAWN 25 AUGUST TO DAWN 26 AUGUST 1940

Weather  Fine.

No air raids.

OPERATIONS REPORTS SUNDAY 25 AUGUST 1940

ROYAL NAVY  A floating mine was sunk 2 miles off Zonkor Point.

2nd Bn ROYAL WEST KENT REGIMENT  The Adjutant reconnoitred the Marsa for a possible stone supply.

(1) When Malta Stood Alone, Joseph Micallef, Interprint Malta, 1981

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24 August 1940: Air Battle Heard Across the Island

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SEABORNE RAIDING COMPANY MUST BE RAISED IN MALTA

Proposals by the War Office in London to send a new seaborne raiding company to operate from Malta have been scrapped. A telegram to the Governor and C in C gave the reasons as “urgent demands elsewhere and lack of suitable opportunities for the employment of such a small force from Malta”.

However, the War Office has given garrison commanders such as Lt Gen Dobbie the option to raise their own independent companies from local recruitment. Additional manpower would be allocated to make up the shortfall and instructors could be sent out from UK to assist with training.

Lt Gen Dobbie has already stated in previous correspondence that, to be effective against the enemy in Sicily and Tripoli, any seaborne force would have to be considerable and would have to co-ordinate its operations with the Mediterranean Fleet. He will now consider the new War Office proposals.

AIR RAIDS DAWN 24 AUGUST TO DAWN 25 AUGUST 1940

Weather  Fine; windy.

Fiat CR42

1211-1240 hrs Air raid warning for six enemy bombers escorted by sixteen fighters which cross the Island from the east and drop bombs on Hal Far and Kalafrana, causing slight damage to RAF buildings and serious damage to one Swordfish aircraft. Four Hurricanes are scrambled and engage the raiders, as do Ack Ack guns. The air battle can be heard across the Island. One enemy CR42 bomber is reported brought down into the sea; a parachutist is spotted bailing out, is rescued and taken prisoner. Other enemy bombers are believed damage; one is thought to have been brought down near Hal Far, where rifle fire is heard. One Hurricane is hit in the main spar by an explosive bullet. Another crash lands at Luqa due to a punctured tyre but is not seriously damaged.

Enemy casualties  Sergente Maggiore Renzo Bocconi, 75^a Squadriglia, fighter pilot of Fiat CR42 baled out from his damaged aircraft, landed in the sea, was rescued and taken prisoner.

OPERATIONS REPORTS SATURDAY 24 AUGUST 1940

ROYAL NAVY  Osiris arrived.

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23 August 1940: Destroyer From Malta Sunk

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MAIL LOST AT SEA

It has been reported today that troops’ mail sent to UK on Wednesday has been lost at sea due to enemy action.

HMS Hostile

HMS HOSTILE SUNK

A Royal Navy destroyer heading from Malta to Gibraltar was sunk today 18 miles off Cape Bon. It is believed that HMS Hostile hit a moored mine which struck the ship’s bottom and exploded. The Commanding Officer and four of the crew were killed, and three crewmen injured. Two destroyers from the convoy picked up survivors and brought them back to Malta.

Reporting on the incident, a Board of Inquiry concluded that the western part of the channel between Cape Bon and Pantelleria must be considered mined and recommends ships should be rerouted accordingly.

AIR RAIDS DAWN 23 AUGUST TO DAWN 24 AUGUST 1940

Weather  Fine; windy and dusty.

0835 hrs Seven Blenheim aircraft land at Ta Qali.

0837 hrs Air raid alert for six enemy bombers escorted by sixteen fighters which cross the coast and bomb the Hal Far area, causing some damage to RAF property. One unexploded incendiary bomb is reported by 2^nd Bn Devonshire Regiment.    

1120-1150  Air raid alert for a formation of enemy bombers; they cross over Ghallis Tower heading south. Malta fighters are scrambled but do not engage.

2105 hrs  Air raid alert for enemy aircraft which approach the Island but do not cross the coast.

OPERATIONS REPORTS FRIDAY 23 AUGUST 1940

ROYAL NAVY Nubian returned to Malta with defective lubrication system to main engines. Hostile was mined off Cape Bon: survivors returned to Malta in Mohawk. Hero also returned. Proteus left on patrol.

AIR HQ 1600-1845 hrs French Latecoere seaplane reconnaissance between Malta and a point ten miles north east of Cape Bon.

ROYAL ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS Bomb Disposal UXB 1 incendiary near Hal Far.

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22 August 1940: Malta Key to Holding Egypt, Say British Cabinet

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MALTA POTENTIAL BASE FOR AIR AND SEA ATTACKS

Malta could play a vital role in a campaign for the defence of Egypt, according the UK Cabinet. At a meeting today, British Ministers recognised the role of the Island as a potential centre for an air offensive against Italian or German operations in the Mediterranean. It is hoped that the reinforcement of the anti-aircraft defence of the Island and its re-occupation by the Mediterranean Fleet would provide a base for launching offensives against enemy convoys, and even against Italy itself. Malta’s role would form part of a two-pronged strategy, with defence the main focus from Alexandria inland and to the east, and attack from the west using sea power. Given sufficient breathing space, the Cabinet agreed, plans might be implemented as soon as October elsewhere, but preparations in Malta would take longer.

Lord Gerald Strickland in 1930

FORMER MALTA PM LORD STRICKLAND DIES

Lord Gerald Strickland passed away peacefully today at his residence, Villa Bologna in Attard. Throughout his brief illness he was surrounded by his family.

The Right Honourable the Lord Strickland GCMG, Count della Catena was a former Prime Minister of Malta (1927-30) who also served as a Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom House of Commons until he was made a Peer in 1928, becoming Baron Strickland. In 1939 he became leader of the elected majority of the Malta Council of Government. Lord Strickland was also owner of newspaper publisher Progress Press.

He will be buried in the family crypt of St Pauls Cathedral, Valletta.

STORES ARE ON THE WAY

Telegram from War Office today confirmed that the following stores for Malta are being despatched by fast convoy round the Cape in three ships:

• First ship: 554 tons of ammunition, six heavy and five light tractors, 2 x 3.7” Ack Ack guns, 746 tons Royal Engineers stores including 625 tons timber in bundles, 613 tons ordnance stores including 355 tons sandbags and barbed wire and 152 tons AG stores, 1435 tons supplies, 72 tons medical stores.
• Second ship: ammunition 1334 tons, 12 x 3.7 Ack Ack mobile guns, 36 x 3.7” barrels, 10 x 40mm Bofors each with spare barrels, Royal Engineers stores 70 tons, ordnance stores 241 tons, supplies 770 tons.
• Third ship: ammunition 639 tons, six tractors heavy, five tractors light, 2 x 3.7” Ack Ack guns, 36 cases 3.7” barrels, ten 4.5” barrels.

AIR RAIDS DAWN 22 AUGUST TO DAWN 23 AUGUST 1940

Weather  Cloudy.

No air raids.

HMS Beryl

OPERATIONS REPORTS THURSDAY 22 AUGUST 1940

ROYAL NAVY  One enemy submarine reported off Gozo. A search by trawlers was unsuccessful. One floating mine was sunk by Beryl ten miles off Gozo. Nubian, Mohawk, Hostile and Hero arrived and sailed.

 

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