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MEDICAL STOCKS URGENTLY NEEDED
From: Governor & C in C Malta To: The War Office
1. Government medical stocks are estimated generally speaking to last four (repeat four) months with the exception of certain item very urgently required which were specified in my COSUP 51631 of 26/1 to Crown Agents and for which I have requested despatch by air. Other items of which we have less than three months supply are specified in monthly lists and should be accorded priority of shipment. I have consulted the pharmaceutical profession regarding stocks of medical stores held by chemists and a survey of their stock position is now being undertaken. Result of survey will form subject of a further telegram…
HMS P38
MALTA BASED SUBMARINE LOST
Having left Malta on 16 February on a mission to attack a large convoy aiming to supply Axis forces in Tripoli, HMS P38 was attempting to attack the convoy to the north of Tripoli when she herself was attacked and forced to surface. Further gunfire and depth charges sank the submarine, with the loss of all 32 hands. (1)
AIR RAIDS DAWN 23 FEBRUARY TO DAWN 24 FEBRUARY 1942
Weather Mixed: rather cold; wind stronger. Low cloud later; wind south west.
0758-0832 hrs Two ME 109 fighters approach from the north, circle the Island, then recede.
0920-1005 hrs 18 enemy aircraft approach from the north. One JU 88 bomber crosses over Grand Harbour, apparently on reconnaissance. Fighter-bombers attack the Hal Far area. Various small formations of ME 109s patrol the Island. Heavy Ack Ack engage. Bombs are dropped near Tal Papa; one explodes close to a gun position, killing two Other Ranks of the Royal Artillery, and injuring three. The gun and predictor are put out of action.
1024-1047 hrs Two ME 109s approach from the north, apparently on patrol. Twelve Hurricanes are airborne; guns do not engage.
1122 hrs Eight JU 88s, three ME 109 fighter bombers and fifteen escorting fighters approach from the north and attack Ta Qali, Kalafrana, Luqa and Safi. Heavy and Light Ack Ack engage, claiming two hits and shooting down one JU 88. The aircraft catches fire and pitches into the sea three miles out, west of Filfla: three bale out and one is rescued by 3rd Bn Kings Own Malta Regiment.
1240 hrs Ten Hurricanes of 185 Squadron are airborne and attack two JU 88s and six ME 109s: claiming two JU 88s damaged; and one ME 109 probably destroyed. One Hurricane crash lands at Hal Far.
1246 hrs Bombs are dropped on Safi landing strip, killing one Other Rank of 4th Bn The Hampshire Regiment, and injuring another two.
1339 hrs All clear.
1409-1442 hrs Eight ME 109s and two unidentified aircraft approach from the north. Heavy Ack Ack engage; no fighters are airborne.
1500 hrs Eleven Hurricanes of 242 Squadron are scrambled.
1528-1821 hrs Twelve ME 109s approach the Island in two formations.
1540 hrs The first formation dives on Ta Qali and drops twelve bombs, damaging the Guard Room, Billet No 15, blackouts and motor transport vehicles. LAC Calton is injured and later dies in hospital. The eleven Hurricanes attack four ME 109s: no claims. Heavy Ack Ack also engage.
The second formation makes a complete circuit of the Island: four come in over Ghain Tuffieha and drop two bombs.
1700-1800 hrs ME 109s search for their own aircraft in distress.
1800 hrs Two JU 88s come in at 10000 feet and drop bombs in French Creek and on the Safi strip. No barrage is fired due to the proximity of own fighters.
1907-1920 hrs Two bombers approach the Island, drop bombs in the sea ten miles to the north and recede.
2046-2056 hrs One aircraft comes to within 20 miles north of Grand Harbour, apparently on a search, then recedes north.
2127-0229 hrs Eleven enemy bombers come in, crossing and re-crossing the coast at various points. Bombs are dropped in the sea off Grand Harbour, near Ghar Lapsi, near Bubaqra observation point, near Gudja, in Kalafrana area, Ta Qali and Luqa areas, on Ta Karach Heavy Ack Ack position (causing one slight injury), near Hal Far, on the Safi strip, in the sea off Delimara and on Marfa Ridge. Twelve barrages are fired.
0330-0400 hrs One aircraft comes in from the north, drops eight bombs on the coast near St Georges, crosses the Island and recedes northwards over Gozo.
0421-0508 hrs One aircraft crosses the coast three times at various points and is barraged twice. Bombs fall in the sea east of Qawra Tower before the aircraft recedes north.
0536-0601 hrs One aircraft comes in from the north and is barraged, causing him to drop his bombs four miles east of Torri L’Ahmar.
Military casualties Sub-Lieutenant Michael Holdsworth and Sub-Lieutenant Norman Clark, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (shot down overnight: 24/2/1942); LAC Douglas Calton, Royal Air Force; Private Thomas Frampton, 4th Bn The Hampshire Regiment; Gunner Sidney Atkins, 4th HAA Regiment, Royal Artillery; Lance-Bombardier Harold Glover, 74th LAA Regiment, Royal Artillery, aged 30 years.
Enemy casualties Werner Wonde.
OPERATIONS REPORTS: MONDAY 23 FEBRUARY 1942
AIR HQ Departures One Flamingo to Heliopolis; three Blenheims to Mersa Matruh.
HAL FAR Night 23/24th Three Albacores 828 Squadron despatched to attack anchored ships of the coast of Tripoli. The ships were not sighted; aircraft returned to base with torpedoes. Weather: visibility one mile; hazy. Three more Albacores 830 Squadron despatched to attack same ships. S/Lt Cramp crashed soon after take-off: crew unhurt. S/Lt Holdsworth was shot down off Tripoli. Missing crew: S/Lt Holdsworth, pilot, S/Lt Clark – observer. The third aircraft did not sight the ships and returned to base.
LUQA 69 Squadron One Maryland SF2 patrol; one Maryland SF1 patrol; one Maryland photo-reconnaissance Tripoli. S/D Flight One Wellington special search. 37 Squadron One Wellington despatched to attack shipping in Tripoli Harbour. No shipping located. Aircraft bombed main quay.
1st BN THE CHESHIRE REGIMENT Working parties on Luqa 140 men.
1ST BN THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY Mortar platoon took over camps at Dingli and Rabat.
8TH BN THE KINGS OWN ROYAL REGIMENT Bombs near C and D Companies and in Siggiewi area during the night.
11TH BN THE LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS Working party at Luqa.
FORTRESS ROYAL ENGINEERS Bomb Disposal UXB Reported 21 February-15 March 128 (average 6 per day).
(1) Further information on the sinking of P 38
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Malta: War Diary 