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THUNDER AND LIGHTNING REPLACES ‘DONNER UND BLITZEN‘
The only violent crashes heard over Malta today came from the continuing heavy storms. After eleven weeks of constant air raids the enemy stayed away as the Island battled with a natural onslaught from the weather. Conditions also kept most Allied aircraft grounded, as floods made Ta Qali and Hal Far airfields unusable. But as soon as the weather clears, the Luftwaffe will inevitably return.
AIR RAIDS DAWN 19 FEBRUARY TO DAWN 20 FEBRUARY 1942
Weather Wind north east. Continuous heavy rain; low clouds. Storm conditions.
0845 hrs Two aircraft of Ta Qali’s 249 Squadron scramble from Luqa: nothing to report.
0940 hrs Six aircraft of 249 Squadron scramble from Luqa: nothing to report.
OPERATIONS REPORTS: THURSDAY 19 FEBRUARY 1942
AIR HQ Departures Four Beaufighters to 108 MU; two Beaufighters to LG 224.
HAL FAR No operations owing to very bad weather.
LUQA 69 Squadron One Maryland SF1 patrol. 21 Squadron Three Blenheims despatched on mission. Shipping sweep Kerkennah – Bjerba – Misrata. No aircraft missing.
TA QALI Aerodrome unserviceable owing to rain. Three of six aircraft 249 Squadron scrambled 0940 hrs from Luqa went on as bombers to Comiso. No night operations.
1st BN THE CHESHIRE REGIMENT Heavy rain most of the day. Battalion TEWT. Companies did cross-country run in the afternoon. Funeral of Private Hawksley at St Andrews.
1ST BN THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY Battalion Skeleton Scheme in the area of Nadur Tower. Commanding Officer gave a lecture to Central Infantry Brigade on the “Defences of Tobruk” at the British Institute, Valletta.
11TH BN THE LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS Luqa working party temporarily cancelled due to aerodrome under water. Gales still blowing. Battalion signal exercise for all officers: failed to contact A and D companies owing to atmospheric interference.
FORTRESS ROYAL ENGINEERS Bomb Disposal UXB Reported 1; not including anti-personnel bombs and incendiaries.
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Malta: War Diary 