5 April 1942: Rocket Bombs Hit Valletta

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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.

1^st 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.

1^st BN THE DORSETSHIRE REGIMENT  4 seater car, motor cycle and fitters shop demolished by bombs at Dockyard School.

1^ST 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.

8^TH BN THE  KINGS OWN ROYAL REGIMENT Working party of 200 Other Ranks and 3 Officers building protective walls for aircraft at Hal Far.

2^ND 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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31 March 1942: Enemy Objective – Neutralise Malta

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• 20 alerts in the last 24 hours
  

  De Havilland Mosquito

• Heavy raids at dusk: 150 high explosive bombs on Grand Harbour and Hal Far
• Mosquito attacked on take-off
• Army to help day and night unloading Pampas
• Restricted bus service introduced

ENEMY OBJECTIVE: NEUTRALISE MALTA

“Since the arrival of the convoy dive bombing attacks on Grand Harbour and all the aerodromes have increased in intensity.  There has been an almost continuous battle between enemy dive bombers and Malta’s Ack Ack defence guns.  From time to time our fighters have taken part in this defence at heavy odds.  This month for the first time Spitfires have been operating from this Island.  Losses to the enemy have averaged about four aircraft shot down and six badly damaged daily.

The enemy has continued nuisance raids (ie sending single aircraft over at night) throughout the month although the number of aircraft over each night has been much greater.  Generally it can be said that the enemy this month has been making an enormous bombing effort against Malta with the object of neutralising the Island as a base for aircraft of all kinds and as a harbour.

On occasions it has appeared as if some of these attacks have been directed agains Heavy Ack Ack gun positions.  The enemy has suffered considerable losses and although great damage has been done to property and installations on the ground it would appear that he has not succeeded in his neutralisation; bombers and fighters still operate from Malta and the artillery defence has sustained little damage.”  (1)

AIR RAIDS DAWN 31 MARCH TO DAWN 1 APRIL 1942

Weather  Wind westerly; 100% cloud.

0831-1516 hrs  17 bombers approach singly and drop bombs from above the low cloud.  Only three aircraft drop bombs on land, on Gudja, Hamrun, Zabbar and Zonkor areas, and Valletta near Buttanici Corner.  Heavy Ack Ack fire barrages.  Messerschmitts continually patrol around the Island until 1516 hrs.

1015 hrs  A Mosquito of 69 Squadron is despatched from Luqa on photo-reconnaissance of Tripoli.   Immediately on take-off the pilot is instructed to pancake quickly.  As the Mosquito is slowing in the Luqa circuit, observer Sgt Pike spots two ME 109s.  At least one attacks, hitting the Mosquito in the port and starboard wings and in the rear of the fuselage.  The port wing catches fire and the pilot breaks cloud over Hal Far aerodrome.  Pilot P/O Kelly manages to make a belly-landing: he and Pike scramble out unhurt before the Mosquito burns out completely.

Two Hurricanes airborne from Hal Far are jumped by four ME 109s.  Sgt Broad gives the last of the MEs a short head-on burst and then goes into an evasive spin.  Sgt Steele fails to return.

1025 hrs  Four guns of 225 Light Ack Ack Battery (LAA) engage two ME 109s: no claims.

1030 hrs  Two guns of 225 LAA engage two ME 109s: no claims.

1200 hrs  A Company, 3^rd Bn Kings Own Malta Regiment report an unexploded bomb 300 yards south of Nigret.

1543 hrs  Six bombers drop bombs in the sea near Grand Harbour and on Luqa, Siggiewi and Zonkor areas.

1705 hrs  Three bombs are dropped on Ta Karach ridge.

1715 hrs  One bomb is dropped on Bubaqra area.

1720 hrs  A single raider drops a stick of bombs between D Company, 8^th Bn Kings Own Royal Regiment and Ta Mehrla church.  First bomb of the stick fell very close to the Camp but did only superficial damage to stone billets.

1824 hrs  Three aircraft carry out a patrol to the north of the Island.

1925 hrs  38 aircraft approach from the north.  Malta’s fighters engage.  Searchlights are illuminated 35 times and Heavy Ack Ack engage.  One JU 88 is destroyed by Light Ack Ack.  13 JU 88s drop 52 high explosive bombs of 250kg and 500kg on Grand Harbour, Msida, Gzira and Hamrun.  Bombs on the Dockyard cause severe damage to electric and telephone cables, gas and water mains, and the roadway east of No 3 Dock. Bombs on Hamilton Wharf, destroy the crane track, and 2/3 Dock Pumping Station discharge.  The majority of telephone lines in Dockyard are put out of action.

1940 hrs  Four Hurricanes 185 Squadron, Hal Far, are scrambled to intercept six plus JU 88s.  P/O Ormrod probably destroys one JU 88 and Sgt Eastman scores hits on another.  P/O Wigley attacks a third: no strikes observed.  Three Hurricanes land at Ta Qali, one at Luqa.

1945 hrs  One stick of bombs lands on the Bubaqra area and others around Misrah Blandun area.  Five bombs land near Hagiar Qim battery of 3^rd Bn Kings Own Malta Regt.

1950 hrs  All guns of 225 LAA Battery engage numerous JU 88s attacking Hal Far.  Hits are claimed and observed on several enemy aircraft but exact estimate of damage prevented by failing light.

1953 hrs  A stick of bombs lands near Ta Mehrla Church.

1956 hrs  Twenty plus JU 88s dive-bomb Hal Far, each dropping two 250kg and two 500kg HE bombs.  One Albacore and one Swordfish are burned out; one hangar is damaged by fire.

2005 hrs  Gun position L22 of 1^st Bn Dorsetshire Regt expends five magazines at an enemy aircraft dropping bombs nearby.

2035 hrs  All clear.

2204 hrs  One aircraft drops bombs in the Qrendi area.

2215 hrs  A stick of bombs falls between Guarena and HQ Coy, 3^rd Bn Kings Own Malta Regiment.

2320 hrs  One aircraft drops bombs on rocks near Benghaisa Point.

Military casualties  Pilot Officer Archibald Steele, Pilot Officer, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 185 Squadron.

Civilian casualties  Hamrun  Elizabeth Casha, age 18; Annie Casha, age 17; M’Anna Micallef, age 45; Emanuela Micallef, age 3.  Zabbar  Antonia Muscat, age 33.

OPERATIONS REPORTS TUESDAY 31 MARCH 1942

ROYAL NAVY  Pandora arrived from Gibraltar to join First Submarine Flotilla and discharged kerosene at Marsaxlokk.

AIR HQ  Arrivals  Four Hudsons, one Beaufort, one Wellington from Gibraltar; one Lodestar from Gambut. Departures  Three Beauforts, two Beaufighters, one Blenheim, one Hudson, one Wellington to 108 MU; one Beaufighter to Heliopolis; one Lodestar to Gambut.

LUQA  2217-0042 hrs  One Wellington Transit Flight ASF attacked Catania aerodrome.

TA QALI  Spitfires operating from Luqa: no combats.

1^st BN THE CHESHIRE REGIMENT 0930 hrs  Battalion training exercise started late due to rain.  Held in Birzebbugia.  1430 hrs  All Companies on weekly cross country run.  2030 hrs  Special orders: the Battalion is to unload SS Pampas; 90 men at a time to work day and night from 0900 hrs 1st April.

1^st BN THE DORSETSHIRE REGIMENT  Strengths:  37 Officers; 827 Other Ranks; 5 RAOC (attached).

1^ST BN THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY  Strength: 34 Officers; 652 Other Ranks.

8^TH BN THE  KINGS OWN ROYAL REGIMENT  Disposition of Battalion: A Company (Coy) Ta Karceppu; B Coy & HQ Coy Ta Salvatur; C Coy Ta Hasluk; D Coy Tal Providence.

11^TH BN THE LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS  0600 hrs  GOC visit Battalion HQ during Battalion Scheme.

8^TH BN THE MANCHESTER REGIMENT  During the month a number of unexploded bombs fell in the Bn area; the majority turned out to be delayed action bombs.

FORTRESS ROYAL ENGINEERS Bomb Disposal UXB  Reported 8; dealt with 4 (3 x 50kg; 1 x 500kg) not including anti-personnel bombs and incendiaries.

 

(1) War Diary, Southern Infantry Brigade, Malta – March 1942

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22 February 1942: Guns May Be Withdrawn From Malta

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• Fifteen raids in the last twenty hours
• Two air raids – lasting all day
• 116 enemy aircraft over Malta
• ME 109s dive-bomb aerodromes
• Almost continuous dog-fights
• Hurricanes and Ack Ack claim hits

WAR OFFICE WARNS GUNS NOT IN USE SHOULD GO TO MIDDLE EAST

From:  The War Office                                                                To:  Governor & C in C Malta; copy C in C Middle East

Understand you have recently received Mideast ten (repeat ten) German 0.77mm guns with ammunition, but that you have not the personnel to man them.  If this is so suggest you return guns and ammunition to Mideast at first opportunity.

Hal Far Under Attack (NWMA Malta)

AIR RAIDS DAWN 22 FEBRUARY TO DAWN 23 FEBRUARY 1942

Weather  Fair; wind south-westerly.  Low cloud later in day.

0922-1312 hrs  Four waves of three JU 88s each, with approximately ten fighters as escort, attack Hal Far.  Heavy Ack Ack engage.  Three ME 109s dive on Hal Far and are engaged by guns of 225 Light Ack Ack Regt.  During pauses between bombing ME 109s patrol south of the Island.

A total of 52 bombs are dropped on Hal Far, causing severe damage to buildings.  Cinema and motor transport buildings are demolished by direct hits, which destroy one omnibus, two light cars, two tractors and a petrol bowser.  Other vehicles are badly damaged.  Aircraft damaged: five Albacores (three write-offs) and two Swordfish.  Personnel casualties: one seriously injured, three slightly.

1100 hrs  One gun position of 225 Light Ack Ack (LAA) Regt engages one JU 88: no claim.

1121 hrs  Bombs are dropped in the area of Misrah Blandun.

1130 hrs  One gun position of 225 LAA Regt engages one ME 109 at 3000 feet: no claim.

1135 hrs  Eight aircraft are airborne from Ta Qali and attack three JU 88s and fighters: claims two probable, three damaged.

1200 hrs  A bomb near A Company of 8^th Bn Kings Own Royal Regiment severely injures L/Cpl R Crawford in the head.  [He is taken to 90 General Hospital but dies later.]

1209 hrs  Bombs are dropped in the area of Misrah Blandun.

1255 hrs  Bombs are dropped in the Mqabba area.

1312 hrs  All clear.

1325 hrs  Seven Hurricanes of 185 Squadron are scrambled from Ta Qali.

1345 hrs  Two guns of 225 Light Ack Ack Regiment engage three JU 88s: no claims.

1353 hrs  Seven unidentified bombers and twenty-five escorting fighters approach from the north.  Bombs are dropped on Hal Far, Lija, Nadur, Ta Qali, Luqa (including the Safi strip), Tal Liebru and in the sea.  At Ta Qali one Hurricane is written off and a barrack block severely damaged.  One airman is killed. At Luqa One delivery Wellington under repair is destroyed and another seriously damaged; one Hurricane is damaged.  Three soldiers are injured.

Hurricanes claim one JU 88 destroyed, one ME 109 destroyed.  S/Ldr Chaffe, OC 185 Squadron, is shot down.  He is later spotted in a dinghy 4-5 miles south of Delimara Point but is not picked up.  Heavy Ack Ack fire 13 barrages.

1400 hrs  Light machine guns of 1^st Bn Dorset Regiment engage one ME 109 fighter from Fort Ta Silch; no claim made.

1445 hrs  Bombs are dropped on Safi landing strip.

1547 hrs  Bombs are dropped on Safi landing strip and Ta Klantun area.  Two unexploded bombs are reported west of Ta Karach.  Guns of 225 LAA Regt engage three JU 88s at 4-5000 feet, claiming one hit.

1815 hrs  225 LAA Regt: all guns engaged three ME 109s at 3-5000 ft.  One hit is claimed.  Billets are damaged at one gun position and a generator at another is rendered unsafe.

1905 hrs  225 LAA Five gun positions engaged one JU 88.

1910 hrs  Bombs are dropped on Safi landing strip.

2055 hrs  All clear.

2104-2115 hrs  One enemy bomber approaches from the north east, dropping bombs in the sea ten miles east of Grand Harbour.  Heavy Ack Ack engage.

2300 hrs  Bombs are dropped on Ta Qali aerodrome, causing damage to one Hurricane, a steam roller and fire fighting equipment.

2314-0030 hrs  Two enemy aircraft approach from the north and drop bombs south of Ghain Tuffieha and between Ta Qali and Naxxar.  Heavy Ack Ack engage five times.

0042-0235 hrs  Two enemy aircraft approach from the north and drop bombs east of Rabat searchlight position, and in the sea north of Grand Harbour.  One barrage is fired.

0502-0625 hrs  A single enemy aircraft approaches from the north to within 15 miles of the coast then recedes north east.

Military casualties  Squadron Leader Ronald Chaffe, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 185 Squadron, Hal Far; Sub-Lieutenant (A) J Buscall, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (attached to HMS Grebe the Naval Air Station in Egypt, but operating from Malta); Lance Corporal Robert Crawford, 8^th Battalion Kings Own Royal Regiment.

Enemy casualties  Unteroffizier Walter SCHWARZ, Pilot of Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter, shot down: his body was recovered from the crashed aircraft.

OPERATIONS REPORTS: 22 FEBRUARY 1942

AIR HQ  Arrivals  Six Wellingtons from Gibraltar (one missing); six Wellingtons from Shallufa; two Albacores from El Adem (one missing).

LUQA  69 Squadron  One Maryland special search for convoy.  21 Squadron  Two Blenheims despatched to carry out SF2 modified.  One aircraft returned owing to hatch blowing off.  F/Lt Mitchell also returned.  Took off again but was attacked by ME 109s so returned.  S/D Flight  One Wellington search for enemy sea forces.  Returned with oil trouble, then took off again.

TA QALI  Aerodrome serviceable.

2^ND BN THE ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS  Bombs in Battalion area 80 feet from HQ billets – no casualties but electric cables down.  AOC held memorial service at Battalion HQ.

11^TH BN THE LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS  One ME 109 shot down in this area.  Wreckage guarded by D Company.

FORTRESS ROYAL ENGINEERS Bomb Disposal UXB  Reported 21 February-15 March 128 (average 6 per day).

 

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17 February 1942: Malta’s Worst Ever Winter

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STORMS REPLACE THE HAIL OF BOMBS

Wellington bombers

Gales and heavy continuous rain keep the enemy away but make life in Malta very uncomfortable in stone buildings designed for hot, dry weather.  Rainfall is currently twice the average for February in what is becoming the worst winter on record.  Ta Qali and Hal Far are little better than lakes, preventing the Malta’s air forces from taking to the air to protect convoys or take on the enemy.  Road conditions and the lack of available fuel mean that most journeys on the Island have to be on foot – often for miles.

WEATHER BRINGS RESPITE TO MOURN THE DEAD

Funerals take place today at St Andrews Cemetery for five servicemen killed by the bomb which destroyed the Regent Cinema on Sunday.  Meanwhile it has been announced that another serviceman has died as a result of injuries sustained in the raid.

FOUR WELLINGTONS LOST

Four Wellington aircraft from a delivery flight for Malta were lost overnight.  The four were among a group of thirteen which left Gibraltar overnight heading for Luqa.  Italian news has reported one Wellington shot down in flames by fighters from Castel Vetrano airfield, with a crew of six taken prisoner.  A second Wellington is also reported forced down at Modica by German fighters.  The aircraft was undamaged but its crew of seven were captured.  A third was shot down into the sea by JU 88 aircraft just 45 kilometres from Malta.  F/O J Willis-Richards was rescued by an Italian destroyer; the remainder of the crew did not survive.  The fourth Wellington crashed on landing at Luqa airfield: the aircraft is a write-off but the crew escaped uninjured.

AIR RAIDS DAWN 17 FEBRUARY TO DAWN 18 FEBRUARY 1942

Weather  80% cloud.  Wind southerly.  Rain continuously during the day; cold.

0906-0943 hrs  One JU 88 escorted by two ME 109s flies over the Island from south to north at 24000 feet without dropping bombs.  Aircraft believed to be on reconnaissance mission.  Heavy Ack Ack engage.

No further alerts  Rain and storm conditions continuous.  Little friendly aircraft activity during the night owing to bad weather.

Military casualties  Wing Commander Norman Mulholland DFC, Royal Air Force (RAF); Sergeant Arthur Wills Royal Australian Air Force; Flight Lieutenant Leonard Brain; Sergeant Edward Anstee RAF Volunteer Reserve; Sergeant James Andrews, RAF; Private Alexander Wilson, 8th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Regiment died from injuries received in the bombing of the Regent Cinema.

Civilian casualties  Qormi  Carmel Briffa (age 60).

OPERATIONS REPORTS TUESDAY 17 FEBRUARY 1942

AIR HQ  Arrivals  Two Albacores from El Adem; one Sunderland from Gibraltar; thirteen Wellingtons from Gibraltar (four missing).  Departures  One Sunderland to Gibraltar, one Wellington to Shallufa, one Wellington to LG224, one Beaufighter to 108 MU.

LUQA  69 Squadron  One Maryland Just I patrol photo-reconnaissance (PR) Corfu harbour; one Maryland PR Agostoli, Navarin, Patras, Just 2 patrol; one Maryland SF1 patrol; one Beaufighter PR Sicilian aerodromes.  S/D Flight  One Wellington special search.

TA QALI  Aerodrome unserviceable except for take-off.  Squadrons left to operate at Luqa.  40 personnel attached Luqa; rations arranged.

NORTHERN INFANTRY BRIGADE  Re-grouping of NIB to create as large a mobile reserve as possible.

1^st BN THE CHESHIRE REGIMENT Meanee Day (1).  Battalion parade on Floriana Parade Ground: spoiled by rain. Funeral of Private Wilson and Private Byers at St Andrews.  Rest of the day a holiday.  No air raids: weather too bad.

2^ND BN THE ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS  The regimental funeral took place of the late Adjutant Captain P Low, Captain H Gough and Fusilier Haunce at St Andrews’ Cemetery.  The Brigadier and representatives of all military units attended.

8^TH BN THE  KINGS OWN ROYAL REGIMENT  Private A Wilson died at 90th General Hospital as a result of injuries received on Sunday 15th February.  Corporal Langdon’s injuries are not so serious as at first thought.

11^TH BN THE LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS  Heavy rain all day.  Aircraft activites hampered.  Luqa working party continued.

FORTRESS ROYAL ENGINEERS Bomb Disposal UXB  Reported 1; not including anti-personnel bombs and incendiaries.

(1) Named after a battle in India on 17^th February 1843, in which the Cheshire Regiment played an important role

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