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Bombs on Floriana 5 April 1942 (NWMA Malta)
- 176 bombers attack
- 280 tons of bombs in four raids
- Main targets: Dockyard, Valletta and Floriana
- Five ships damaged
UXB CONFIRMS RETURN OF ROCKET BOMB TO MALTA
“St Clements Bastion, bomb unit of rocket bomb; fuze recovered” RE Bomb Disposal 5th April 1942 (1)
The first ‘Rocket Bombs’ recorded in World War II were dropped on Malta in January 1942 when RE Bomb Disposal were called to deal with an unusual UXB in Floriana. Their report to the War Office in London detailed a new and deadly weapon: a heavily-armoured 500kg bomb, made even more powerful by the addition of rocket propulsion. The extra thrust was designed to aid the bomb’s penetration of warships and fortifications.
In the air the bombs were a terrifying sight, trailing flames several yards long as they fell. The reintroduction of these bombs against Malta shows the Luftwaffe’s increasing determination to maximise destruction of all targets.
AIR RAIDS DAWN 5 APRIL TO DAWN 6 APRIL 1942
Weather Wind northerly: slight haze.
0750 hrs 23 JU 88s and JU 87s attack the Dockyard and Floriana, dropping heavy high explosive bombs, including Rocket bombs. The Victualling Yard is further damaged, another explosion blocks the tunnel leading to No 11 Shelter. The Cooperage store and houses collapse. Pinto Wharf and Filippo Sciberras Square in Floriana are hit; the popular First and Last Bar disappears.
1122 hrs 53 enemy aircraft come in from the north and drop bombs on the Dockyard area. A near miss at the north end of Bakery Wharf causes serious subsidence. Police Quarters, 27 Store and GD Station are rendered unsafe. Bombs explode on Store Wharf, the Yard Machinery Shop and another tunnel. A large bomb hits the side of No 2 Dock puncturing the caisson and flooding the dock. Two large bombs hit No 1 Boiler Shop and Gunmounting Wharf, which is left with a 20 foot crater. A large number of bombs land on the Dockyard School area: Corrodino Gate is hit and almost every road is blocked. A large unexploded bomb is reported near Zabbar Gate.
1145 hrs Three aircraft drop bombs on Hal Far. They are engaged by five guns of 225 Light Ack Ack Battery (LAA): no claims.
1215 hrs All clear.
1410 hrs Four Spitfires 126 Squadron are scrambled to intercept large formations of JU 88s, JU 87s and ME 109s. The Spitfires make individual attacks: F/L Johnston probably destroys one ME 109; P/O Putman destroys one JU 88. P/O Bisley destroys one JU 87 and damages one JU 88 before he is jumped by six ME 109s. He is injured in the legs and hand, and lands at Ta Qali with his wheels up, from where he is taken to hospital.
1415 hrs While 30 ME 109s patrol the Island, 40 JU 88s and 12 JU 87s attack the Grand Harbour area, dropping bombs on the Dockyard, Valletta and Floriana, where the Capuchins Friary is almost completely destroyed, killing two. Bombs also hit St Francis Street, the Granaries (St Publius Square), The Seminary, Great Siege Road and Pinto Wharf. Several civilians are injured. Heavy Ack Ack engage: claim one JU 87 probably destroyed.
1426 hrs Four ME 109 fighter bombers approach Hal Far from the south. Two drop bombs causing craters on the aerodrome. Two are engaged by four guns of 225 LAA Bty: no claims.
1705 hrs 28 JU 88s attack Grand Harbour. Heavy and Light Ack Ack engage. Two JU 88s are destroyed and one ME 109 damaged by Light Ack Ack.
1745 hrs Six ME 109 fighter bombers attack Ta Qali but miss the runway. Two others are engaged by one gun of 225 LAA Bty: no claim.
2053; 2119 hrs One enemy aircraft each time approaches from the north and drops bombs in the sea.
2337-0010 hrs One aircraft approaches from the north and drops bombs in the sea south of the Island as well as other objects which drop more slowly.
0302-0418 hrs Two aircraft approach from the north: one drops HE and incendiary bombs on Luqa and Gudja, the other drops bombs in the sea.
0513-0605 hrs One aircraft approaches from the north and drops incendiaries on the Rabat and Ta Qali area.
Military casualties Able Seaman Frederick Barr, HMS Kingston; Thomas Lee, Telegraphist, HMS Kingston; Able Seaman Reginald Prince, HMS Kingston; Ordinary Seaman Stanley Sellers, HMS Kingston; Able Seaman John Taylor, HMS Kingston; Able Seaman Stanley Wilson, HMS Kingston; Able Seaman Frederick Eager, HMS Penelope; Sergeant John Hawkins, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (VR); Pilot Officer Hugh McKee, Royal Canadian Air Force; Pilot Officer Edmund Smith, Royal New Zealand Air Force; Sergeant Kenneth Thomas, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, Royal Air Force (VR).
Civilian casualties Cospicua Carmela Montague, age 33; Daniel Montague, age 13; Joseph Montague, age 11; Mary Montague, age 8. Floriana Antonia Attard, age 50; Joseph Borg, age 70. Hamrun Augustine Balzan, age 16; Marianna Borda, age 77; Frances Borg, age 40; Fr Clement Cauchi, age 67; Joseph Farrugia, age 48; Emanuel Grima, age 15; Concetta Sultana, age 6. Marsa Paul D’Amato, age 77. Msida Joseph Abela. Rabat Anthony Camilleri, age 42. Tarxien Mary Bonnello, age 11; Amadeo Micallef, age 44. Valletta Philip Camilleri, age 64. Zebbug Alfred Barbara, age 27. Zejtun Angelo Agius, age 29; Dolores Busuttil, age 2.
OPERATIONS REPORTS SUNDAY 5 APRIL 1942
ROYAL NAVY Havock sailed at 2000 hrs and ran ashore off Kelibia, being subsequently destroyed by her own crew at 0400 hrs on 6th April. During raids on Grand Harbour, Abingdon and Gallant were damaged and beached. Lance received a direct hit while in dock and was blown off the chocks and partially submerged. Kingston and Plumleaf were also hit and damaged.
AIR HQ Wellington crashed taking off: crew and passengers unhurt. Two Wellingtons crash-landed: crews unhurt. One Beaufort crashed in flames at Luqa: no survivors. One Beaufort missing: no further news.
Arrivals One Beaufighter, three Blenheims, three Wellingtons, two Hudsons, one Beaufort from Gibraltar. Departures Three Wellingtons to 108 MU; two Beauforts to Sidi Barrani.
LUQA 1040-1357 hrs One Spitfire 69 Squadron on photo-reconnaissance Tripoli railway-Gabes.
TA QALI No night operations.
1st BN THE CHESHIRE REGIMENT 1200 hrs Work on Pampas cut down to one Officer, 30 OR, 1200-2000 hrs. Private J Firman injured at RT shed: admitted to hospital.
1st BN THE DORSETSHIRE REGIMENT 4 seater car, motor cycle and fitters shop demolished by bombs at Dockyard School.
1ST BN THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY A and E and part of HQ Companies on Ta Qali aerodrome. C & D Companies to commence training on 6th.
FORTRESS ROYAL ENGINEERS Bombs on Casemate Bks causing damage to WOs & Sgts Mess.- no casualties. Bomb Disposal UXB Reported 14; dealt with 4 (2 x 500kg; 2 x 250kg) not including anti-personnel bombs and incendiaries.
8TH BN THE KINGS OWN ROYAL REGIMENT Working party of 200 Other Ranks and 3 Officers building protective walls for aircraft at Hal Far.
2ND BN THE ROYAL WEST KENT REGIMENT Sgt Ellis wounded by enemy action at St George’s Barracks: taken to 45 General Hospital.
(1) UXB Malta, S A M Hudson, History Press 2010/2012
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