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OPERATION SALIENT REINFORCES NAVY OPS AGAINST AXIS CONVOYS
HMS Kelly
Six destroyers arrived in Malta today to operate as a striking force against Axis supply lines to North Africa. The First Sea Lord reported to the War Cabinet in London today that Operation Salient has now been successfully carried out. The destroyers Kelly, Kashmir, Kelvin, Kipling, Jersey, and Jackal left Gibraltar yesterday as Force S, making a decoy turn towards the Atlantic before doubling back eastwards and through the Mediterranean for Malta. The light cruiser HMS Gloucester is also remaining at Malta with the strike force.
Breconshire sailed from Malta today after a rapid unloading of her cargo of supplies. The fast transport ship is escorted on her return to Alexandria by the cruiser Dido, minelayer Abdiel and destroyers Imperial, Jaguar, Jervis and Juno. Imperial has just completed repairs after being damaged by a mine last October. Destroyer Janus is remaining at Malta for repairs.
DOCKYARD DEFENCE BATTERY DISBANDED
The Dockyard Defence Battery is to be disbanded after 1 year and 283 days of service. Members have been given the option of joining as regular soldiers the Royal Malta Artillery which has now assumed responsibility for the guns. Three members of the Battery were recommended awards in January for their bravery under fire during the attacks on HMS Illustrious. Lt F W Angle was awarded the Military Cross, Sgt L Apap and Bombardier G Balzan were each awarded the Military Medal.
AIR RAIDS DAWN 28 APRIL TO DAWN 29 APRIL 1941
Weather Fine.
0906 hrs Six destroyers and two cruisers enter Grand Harbour.
0920-0935 hrs Air raid alert for one JU 88 which crosses the coast at Marsaxlokk at 20000 feet on reconnaissance before turning away over Spinola Bay. Three escorting ME 109 fighters are engaged by Hurricanes; one is probably destroyed.
1105-1205 hrs Air raid alert for a JU 88 with an escort of three ME 109s which carries out reconnaissance at 20000 feet over the Island.
2050-2200 Air raid alert for approximately 30 enemy aircraft which approach the Island singly, and in twos and threes. They drop mines and bombs on the Dockyard, Grand Harbour and Valletta areas causing damage to Dockyard buildings and civilian property. Bombs fall near a defence post manned by 2nd Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers, killing one Fusilier and seriously wounding a NCO. Mines are also laid off Grand Harbour and Tigne. Bombs are also dropped on the Naxxar area and Ta Qali. Searchlights illuminate five times and anti-aircraft guns fire predicted barrages between 6000 and 12000 feet; one enemy aircraft is probably destroyed.
0107-0235 hrs Air raid alert for eight JU 88 bombers escorted by 17 ME 109s which approach the Island from the north and drop mines off Grand Harbour and bombs on the Dockyard, Valletta, Floriana and Senglea, as well as St Julians. Government property in Valletta is badly damaged. Anti-aircraft guns fire 14 barrages. One JU 88 is shot down by anti-aircraft guns; the crew are seen baling out. One ME 109 is severely damaged. 13 unexploded bombs are reported in the Rinella area.
Military casualties Fusilier Harry Edward Hawkins, 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Civilian casualties Marsa Joseph Dimech, age 11.
OPERATIONS REPORTS MONDAY 28 APRIL 1941
ROYAL NAVY Operation Salient was successfully carried out. Dido and Abdiel arrived and sailed after unloading certain important stores. Destroyers of 14th Destroyer Flotilla with Imperial (which had completed repairs after being mined in October 1940) sailed with Breconshire for Alexandria. Captain (D), 5th Destroyer Flotilla, arrived and remained with six destroyers of his flotilla and Gloucester, as the Malta Force. Janus remained for docking and repairs.
AIR HQ Arrivals 2 Wellington. Departures 2 Wellington. 69 Squadron Maryland patrol eastern Tunisian coast AM and PM. Maryland reconnaissance Tripoli was chased out to sea by a fighter; no damage. 148 Squadron Transferred to Middle East; departed for Kabrit. 82 Squadron Arrived Malta. Two Wellingtons from Gibraltar arrived AM and departed later for Middle East.
HAL FAR New draft of 25 RAF personnel arrived.
1st Bn CHESHIRE REGIMENT A Company spent the day on the range on shooting MMG practices. With the limited amount of ammunition available, ranging and traversing practices were fired. 1700 hrs Personnel from ‘Picnic’, all from B Company, returned from Gozo and went to new billets in the docks. At 0115 hrs bombs fell on the billets; all personnel were in shelter and there were no casualties but kit and equipment were damaged.
FORTRESS ROYAL ENGINEERS Acting Lieutenant Colonel G R McMeekan, RE (CO of Fortress Royal Engineers) to be temporary Lieutenant Colonel. Bomb Disposal UXB reported 4; dealt with 1 (50kg).
1st Bn HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT 2 platoons of B Company and one section of 4 Platoon returned from Gozo.
2nd Bn ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS Bombs fall near defence post R15 killing Fusilier H E Hawkins and seriously wounding L/Cpl A Watton, both of HQ Company.
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Malta: War Diary 