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MBE FOR JOSEPH BUTTIGIEG
A Special Supplement to Fortress Order 1/25 today announces the following award to an officer of 1st Battalion Kings Own Malta Regiment:
The King has been graciously pleased to approve of the undermentioned honours and awards recommended by His Excellency, the Acting Governor and Commander in Chief: MBE Lieutenant now Captain (Quartermaster) Joseph Buttigieg, Kings Own Malta Regiment.
TROOPS WARNED NOT TO DAMAGE CROPS
A notice has been issued to all troops in Malta today reminding them that valuable crops such as peas and beans as well as fruit are now coming into season and that any damage caused to them results in expensive claims for compensation from farmers. Troops are also warned not to interfere with crops and fruits either within or outside barbed wire areas, unless they know that such places are actually hired by the War Department.
The plucking of fruit from farmers’ trees without permission is a criminal offence and heavily punishable. The notice points out that farmers are usually very willing to sell fruit for a few pence. Disciplinary action will be taken against any individual found stealing or causing damage.
LOOTING FROM BOMBED HOUSES STRICTLY PROHIBITED
Concerns have been raised that stone and building material from demolished houses has been removed without permission. A notice has been issued today to all troops warning that in no circumstances are such material to be taken from buildings without express orders from their Headquarters.
AIR RAIDS DAWN 25 APRIL TO DAWN 26 APRIL 1941
Weather Rough.
0757-0820 hrs Air raid alert for a single JU 88 bomber which crosses the Island at 20000 feet on reconnaissance from Tigne to Zurrieq and Luqa, turning away over Grand Harbour. Anti-aircraft guns engage; no claims.
0924-0940 hrs Air raid alert for a single JU 88 bomber on reconnaissance escorted by four ME 109 fighters. Anti-aircraft guns engage the bomber while Malta fighters engage the ME 109s; no claims.
OPERATIONS REPORTS FRIDAY 25 APRIL 1941
AIR HQ Hurricane photo-reconnaissance Comiso, Gela, Syracuse. Photos of Comiso reveal a new runway built on south east part of aerodrome; 48 aircraft of which 17 twin-engined and 12 fighters. 69 Squadron Maryland reconnaissance northern sector Tunisian coast.
NORTHERN INFANTRY BRIGADE A surprise exercise to test anti-tank defences: at 0445 hrs tanks were reported to have landed at Msida and operated in the Pembroke and Ta Qali areas; full precautions for local protection were taken at Brigade HQ.
FORTRESS ROYAL ENGINEERS Bomb Disposal UXB reported 3; dealt with 7 (7 x 50kg).
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Malta: War Diary 