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BRECONSHIRE BRINGS 380 TROOPS AND FUEL SUPPLIES
Malta’s new Bomb Disposal Officer Lt G D Carroll
The fast transport ship Breconshire docked safely today after the Mediterranean Fleet engineered her safe passage to Malta. 380 troops disembarked after a three day journey from Alexandria during which the only enemy action had been from individual aircraft shadowing the convoy. Having detached from Breconshire and her escort destroyer Encounter at dusk yesterday, the Fleet steered southwards to launch a bombardment of Tripoli at 0500 hrs this morning in an attack designed to divert enemy attention from the vital Malta supply convoy.
Breconshire was unable to enter Grand Harbour, which is currently closed due to the large number of mines; Marsamxett Harbour remains open. As well as troops Breconshire was carrying essential supplies of aviation spirit, oil fuel and general stores.
Reinforcements disembarked:
- Royal Artillery officers 6 other ranks 360
- 2nd Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers other ranks 3
- Royal Engineers officers 1 other ranks 6
- 2nd Bn Royal West Kent Regiment officers 2
- 1st Bn Dorsetshire Regiment officers 2
- Total: officers 11 other ranks 369
MALTA HAS A NEW BOMB DISPOSAL OFFICER
A new Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal Officer arrived today aboard Breconshire. Lt G D Carroll is to take over as RE Bomb Disposal Officer Malta from Lt E E C Talbot, RE, who is entitled to respite leave after six months’ continuous service. The Bomb Disposal Officer is responsible for all unexploded bombs across the Island outside of Royal Navy or RAF premises.
Before being posted to Malta, Lt Carroll served in the London Blitz where he dealt with high explosive bombs up to 1800kg including a large number of delayed action fuzes. He arrived with Sgt Holland who is also experienced in bomb disposal.
AIR RAIDS DAWN 21 APRIL TO DAWN 22 APRIL 1941
Weather Fine.
0746-0801 hrs; 1038-1120 hrs Air raid alert; raids do not materialise.
1813-1848 hrs Air raid alert for six ME 109s escorting one JU 88 bomber approaching from the north. The JU 88 crosses Grand Harbour at 21000 feet. Eight Hurricanes are scrambled and engage the raiders, destroying one ME 109 and another probable. Anti-aircraft guns also engage; no claims.
2356-0122 hrs Air raid alert for 20 enemy aircraft which approach singly from the north and use flares to carry out widespread bombing; the main target is Grand Harbour. Bombs are dropped from varying heights from 1000 to 10000 feet over the Dockyard and surroundings. Two aircraft lay mines off the south of Grand Harbour from a height of 2000 feet. One Hurricane night fighter is scrambled but searchlights provide no illumination of the raiders; no engagement. Anti-aircraft guns engage the raiders with eleven predicted barrages; no claims.
0505-0527 hrs Air raid alert for six enemy aircraft which approach Grand Harbour from the north and drop bombs on the Dockyard area. Raiders also drop bombs in the water before crossing the coast over Benghaisa. Heavy anti-aircraft guns engage the raiders with predicted barrage once at 10000 feet; no claims.
Civilian casualties Zeitun Anna Spiteri, age 21.
OPERATIONS REPORTS MONDAY 21 APRIL 1941
ROYAL NAVY Breconshire loaded with aviation spirit, oil fuel and general supplies, arrived with Encounter under cover of the Fleet movement to bombard Tripoli. Many mines in Grand Harbour which was closed but Marsamxett Harbour remained open. Submarine Undaunted arrived at Malta from Gibraltar to join the 1st Submarine Flotilla.
AIR HQ 69 Squadron Maryland photo-reconnaissance Tripoli Harbour: one merchant vessel capsized and the small mole have been damaged in yesterday’s raid. Maryland reconnaissance eastern Tunisian coast. 148 Squadron 8 Wellington bombers night bombing attack on Tripoli harbour as a precursor to naval bombardment.
HAL FAR A civilian labourer fell from a hangar roof and sustained heavy injuries.
1st Bn CHESHIRE REGIMENT Work on many defences is complete. A programme of training on machine guns and other small arms, including grenades and Molotov cocktails, is now underway. 5 more NCOs attended a bomb reconnaissance course.
FORTRESS ROYAL ENGINEERS The RE (Malta Section) is now increased in strength. Major H D Tanner assumes Company Command, 24 Fortress Company, replacing W De Piro-Cowley. Lt G D Carroll, RE and Sgt Holland arrived and posted to Bomb Disposal Section. Bomb Disposal UXB reported 0; dealt with 17 (14 near Rabat).
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Malta: War Diary 