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5 July 1942: Enemy Adopt High Level Bombing Tactics to Avoid Guns
AXIS CONVOY DELAYED TWO WEEKS
Port of Benghazi
The enemy convoy which has been under constant observation and attack since 20 June finally arrived in Benghazi today. Efforts by Malta forces have forced delays in the delivery of supplies. As a result the convoy has taken sixteen days to reach its destination.
ENEMY AMASSING TANK LANDING CRAFT IN PALERMO
Allied reconnaissance have reported a unusual activity in Palermo this week. The enemy appears to be building significant numbers of F Boats – tank landing craft – being built near the port. Two or three of the vessels have appeared moored at the quays and have been observed loading armed fighting vehicles including tanks and gun carriages.
As many as 15 F Boats were seen afloat in Palermo harbour at a time. They left in groups of three or four, taking the western route to Libya via Pantelleria and Lampedusa. F Boats of a different type have also been seen under construction in Genoa and Naples and have made their way down the west coast of Italy to Messina. The concentration of such landing craft in southern Italy has revived suspicions of a planned invasion of Malta.
AIR RAIDS DAWN 5 JULY TO DAWN 6 JULY 1942
Weather Wind westerly; no cloud.
0705 hrs Eight Spitfires 603 Squadron Ta Qali are airborne to intercept approaching enemy aircraft: no results.
0717 hrs Three JU 88s escorted by 17 ME 109s drop high explosive and incendiary bombs from 8000 feet on the eastern dispersal area of Ta Qali. One Spitfire is damaged on the western dispersal area. Spitfires airborne.
1030-1115 hrs Six Spitfires 603 Squadron are airborne to provide fighter cover for minesweepers: nil reports.
1605-1705 hrs Twelve Spitfires 603 Squadron are scrambled to intercept an approaching enemy formation. They engage enemy fighters: F/O McLeod damages one ME 109.
1620 hrs Three JU 88s escorted by 15-20 fighters drop bombs from 7000 feet on the eastern dispersal area of Ta Qali, setting one aircraft on fire.
1740-1855 hrs Eleven Spitfires 603 Squadron are dispatched to provide cover for minesweepers and to intercept enemy aircraft: nil report.
1940 hrs Eleven Spitfires 603 Squadron are scrambled to intercept approaching enemy aircraft. They engage three ME 109s: P/O Sherwood damages one.
1950 hrs Three JU 88s escorted by 25 fighters drop small bombs from 10000 feet on the centre of Ta Qali aerodrome. Spitfires airborne.
0001-0010 hrs Air raid alert.
0337-0440 hrs Air raid alert. 15 aircraft, including JU 87s and Italian bombers drop high explosive bombs on Ta Qali and anti-personnel bombs across scattered areas including Hal Far. Beaufighters are airborne on patrol: no engagement.
0500 hrs Air raid alert. Italian bombers drop anti-personnel bombs on Ta Qali.
Military casualties Leading Aircraftsman John Ciarlo, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve; Staff-Sergeant Walter Cousens, Royal Army Medical Corps; Lance-Corporal Harry Gardner, 1s Battalion, Durham Light Infantry; Fusilier John Turnbull, 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Civilian casualties Nil.
OPERATIONS REPORTS SUNDAY 5 JULY 1942
ROYAL NAVY Weather unsuitable for Fleet Sweepers. Motor Launches carried out sweep of approaches to Grand Harbour. Heavy interference on GL and RDF sets during the night.
AIR HQ Arrivals One Hudson from Gibraltar.
6 July 1942: RAF best day since 10 May
- 23 enemy bomber sorties
- Heavy fighter escorts
- Bombs on Salina, Ta Qali, Hal Far, Luqa, Safi and Gudja
- Spitfires score 35 strikes
- RAF launch rescues German air crew
B flight 249 Squadron July 42 (1)
A PILOT’S VIEW “…at 4.20pm we were sent up rather late, and had not got very high when the 88s came in and bombed Hal Far. We dived down on them, but just as we were drawing near them a number of 109s dived down on us. A terrific dog-fight ensued, in which the 109s for once stayed and fought. They were good those yellow-nosed 109s. We twisted and turned around each other, blazing away every now and then; but most of us could not get away to chase the 88s. Two of us, Pilot Officers Glen and Carlet, however, had eluded the 109s and chased the 88s right out to sea quite low down. They got one each…By the end of the day the Squadron had destroyed five 88s and two fighters, and damaged another seven enemy aircraft. We never had more than eight aircraft airborne, sometimes less, and suffered no casualties, although six of our aircraft had been shot up and damaged. It was the Squadron’s best day in Malta and the island’s best since 10 May, for sixteen enemy planes had been destroyed and nineteen damaged.” (2)
AIR RAIDS DAWN 6 JULY TO DAWN 7 JULY 1942
Weather Wind southerly; no cloud.
0815-0845 hrs Air raid alert. Twelve Spitfires 603 Squadron Ta Qali are scrambled to intercept approaching enemy aircraft. They damage on ME 109. Spitfires of 249 Squadron Ta Qali are also airborne: F/Lt Lee claims one Macchi 202 destroyed, Sgt Beurling two Macchi 202s destroyed and one Cant 1007 damaged.
0840 hrs Seven JU 88s dive-bomb Ta Qali aerodrome, dropping 275 small bombs and causing craters in the dispersal areas, killing one civilian. 30-40 unexploded bombs are reported.
0912 hrs Air raid alert for an approaching plot of enemy fighters and bombers. Seven Spitfires 603 Squadron are ordered up from Ta Qali to evade the bombing. Spitfires of 249 Squadron are scrambled to intercept the enemy. P/O Yates lands at Ta Qali with a dead propeller; he is unhurt. Four Cant 1007s accompanied by twelve fighters drop bombs on the Safi area.
0937 hrs All clear.
1155 hrs Air raid alert. Eleven Spitfires 603 Squadron are scrambled for interception: nil report.
1300-1420 hrs Eleven Spitfires 249 Squadron are on patrol: nil report.
1555-1745 hrs Five Spitfires 249 Squadron provide fighter cover for the High Speed Launch.
1615-1656 hrs Air raid alert for five JU 88s with an escort of ME 109s which attack Hal Far and the Safi area. Ten Spitfires 603 Squadron are airborne and intercept three JU 88s. P/O Carlet destroys one JU 88; Sgt Irwin damages one ME 109. F/Lt Douglas is shot up and belly-lands, unhurt. P/O Slade is shot up but unhurt. P/O Glen suffers return fire but is unhurt.
1725-1825 hrs Six Spitfires 249 Squadron on patrol see two dinghies 25 miles north of Grand Harbour. Sgt Budd’s Spitfire is damaged while taxiing in.
1835-1925 hrs Air raid alert. Six Spitfires 603 Squadron scrambled to intercept see four Italian Cant 1007 bombers with an escort of twenty fighters. P/O Glen damages one Cant, Lt Swales another. S/Ldr Douglas Hamilton damages one Macchi 202; P/O Carlet destroys one and damages another.
2030-2055 hrs; 2115-2150 hrs Air raid alerts. Three JU 88s escorted by fifteen fighters drop bombs near Luqa. Eight Spitfires 603 Squadron and ten of 249 Squadron intercept. Lt Swales and P/O Glen each destroy one JU 88; P/O Carlet and Sgt Irwin destroy one JU 88; P/O Glen and Sgt Beurling each destroy one ME 109.
2320 hrs Air raid alert. Twenty enemy raiders approach the Island. Bombs are dropped on scattered localities, including Luqa. Beaufighters are airborne: no engagement.
0055-0115 hrs Air raid alert for approaching enemy aircraft. One comes within ten miles north of Grand Harbour before turning back.
Military casualties Flight Sergeant Edwin Moye, Royal Canadian Air Force; Bombardier Albert Besant, 7 Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery, Royal Artillery.
Civilian casualties Nil.
Enemy casualties Killed Italian S D Antonoise, Wireless Operator, Cant-Z.1007 floatplane. His body was picked up from the sea by the RAF Launch; German Valentin Daus; Karl Kubitski; Walter Prueger; Oberfeldwebel Peter Wilbertz, crewman of JU 88 bomber shot down into the sea off Grand Harbour and died. Prisoners of war Crew of JU 88 bomber shot down into the sea off Grand Harbour and rescued by RAF Launch: Hans Albrecht, KGr 806; Feldwebel Sebastian Krumbachner; Gefreiter Heinz Stiller, KGr 806.
OPERATIONS REPORTS DAY MONDAY 6 JULY 1942
ROYAL NAVY Eight mines swept.
AIR HQ Arrivals One Whitley from Gibraltar. Aircraft casualties One Spitfire crashed on landing: pilot uninjured. One Spitfire shot down into the sea: pilot drowned.
7 July 1942: Enemy Attacks Suggest Imminent Invasion – Island on Alert
Cant floatplane
- German and Italian combined formations attack airfields
- 55 enemy fighters to 13 bombers
- Spitfires shoot down 24 enemy aircraft
- 26 more unlikely to reach base
- 5 Spitfires lost; all pilots safe.
HOME GUARD READY FOR GROUND ATTACK
“I still remember clearly when as the officer in charge of the Home Guard platoon at the city of Vittoriosa I was called and given instructions to await a possible attack. We were mobilised, given ammunition and food so as to be self-contained, and during the evening I went round myself calling all my men from their homes, and after a pep talk by the area company commander saw my men to their various posts where they were to spend the night so as to be in position for any eventual attack at first dawn, when paratroops attacks generally take place. When I was asked to stand down my men, I was told that a force of troop carriers had indeed left Sicily, but flew past Malta, obviously to North Africa. By that day, which was only the tenth one of July the Spitfires had shot down 78 enemy aircraft.” (3)
SOLO MALTA BOMBER STRIKES MESSINA
A Malta bomber dispatched to attack enemy shipping found no sign of his target; instead he decided to attack Messina, where Axis F boats have been gathering in recent days. The bombs fell in the south west of the harbour and caused a large fire in the vicinity of the goods station.
AIR RAIDS DAWN 7 JULY TO DAWN 8 JULY 1942
Weather Slight southerly wind; no cloud.
0741-0817 hrs Air raid alert. Five JU 88s with a 20 strong fighter escort including ME 109s and Macchi 202s drop bombs on Luqa, destroying one Beaufort and damaging two. One airman is slightly injured. Eleven Spitfires 249 Squadron Ta Qali are scrambled to intercept. P/O Brennan and P/O Linton each destroy one ME 109; P/O McElroy destroys one Macchi 202; F/Sgt Parkinson damages one JU 88. F/Sgt Middlemiss is shot up over the sea. The tail of F/Sgt Parkes’ aircraft is shot off by anti-aircraft fire; he bales out and is slightly injured. F/Lt Daddo-Langlois is shot up by a Messerschmitt but is unhurt.
0830-0955 hrs; 0955-1130 hrs Two Spitfires 249 Squadron at a time search for F/Sgt Middlemiss. They find his dinghy and see him picked up by the High Speed Launch. He is taken to hospital.
1147-1234 hrs Air raid alert. Three JU 88s with a fighter escort of eighteen ME 109s drop bombs near Luqa. Eight Spitfires 249 Squadron intercept them over Luqa. P/O Hetherington damages one JU 88; he is hit by return fire and lands at Luqa. F/Sgt Rae makes a head-on attack on a ME 109: the enemy pilot bales out. F/Sgt De Nancrede hits a JU 88 from below, striking the belly and wing roots. He is hit by return fire: his controls are shot away and he bales out into the sea. He is rescued and taken to hospital with slight injuries.
1240-1515 hrs Four Spitfires 249 Squadron search for a boat.
1705-1735 hrs Air raid alert. Five Cants in formation are hit by anti-aircraft fire over Ta Qali aerodrome. One Cant goes down: four parachutes come out but two fail to open.
2218 hrs-2315 hrs Air raid alert. Two enemy aircraft approach the Island but do not cross the coast; they drop bombs in the sea. Beaufighters are airborne: no engagement.
Military casualties Flight Sergeant Haydn Haggas, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (VR), 185 Squadron; Flight Sergeant Peter Terry, Royal Air Force VR; Lance Bombardier Francis Vella-Haber, 3 Light Ack Ack Regiment, Royal Malta Artillery.
Civilian casualties Mosta Rose Mary Grech, age 3. Siggiewi Joseph Vella, age 14. Valletta Francis Ciarlo, age 14; Anthony Vella, age 74.
Enemy casualties Tenente Francesco Antonelli, pilot of Cant-Z1007 floatplane, shot down and killed with crew Aviere Scelto Giuseppe Buratti crewman; Sottotenente Giovanni Casadio, second pilot; Sergente Calogero Dragotta, crewman; Primo Aviere Gaetano Pisarra, crewman; all of 60a Squadriglia, 33o Gruppo, 9o Stormo, Regia Aeronautica. Tenente Fabrizio Cherubini 353a Squadriglia, Regia Aeronautica; pilot of a Macchi 202 fighter, shot down.
OPERATIONS REPORTS TUESDAY 7 JULY 1942
ROYAL NAVY Hebe and Rye [mine]sweeping – 9 mines cut. Unconfirmed plots of shipping during the night. Naval Air Squadrons attack on shipping in Messina unsuccessful owing to bad visibility. One Albacore failed to return and one Swordfish crashed on landing.
AIR HQ Arrivals One Hudson, two Beauforts from Gibraltar. Aircraft casualties One Spitfire shot down in flames: pilot baled out uninjured. Five Spitfires shot down in combat: two pilots uninjured, one wounded, two killed. One Spitfire damaged in combat, crashed on landing: pilot uninjured. One Spitfire shot down into the sea: pilot rescued.
8 July 1942: “RAF Action Inspires Us All” Says Governor
Lord Gort
The following signal to RAF Malta was received today from His Excellency the Governor: “Please accept my contratulations on the grand work carried out by the RAF during the past 48 hours in defence of Malta. It inspires us all.”
FISHING BOAT TO THE RESCUE
F/Lt Lester Sanders had a lucky escape today. He was one of eight Spitfire pilots scrambled early this morning to intercept seven JU 88 bombers heading for Malta. Sanders spotted a lone JU 88 bomber over Gozo, and gave chase, scoring several hits on its fuselage. But the bomber’s rear gunner scored a return hit on Sanders’ windshield and he was forced to turn away.
As he headed back for Ta Qali, he was attacked by two ME 109 fighters and was hit in the wings and engine over the airfield. Too low to bale out, Sanders turned his aircraft towards the sea in a desperate bid for a softer landing. He managed a successful landing and clambered out to stand on the aircraft, which began to sink. His crash had been witnessed by two fishermen, Frank and Anton Debono, who rescued Sanders and took him ashore. He was unhurt.
Three other Spitfire pilots were less fortunate and lost their lives today in combat with the enemy.
AIR RAIDS DAWN 8 JULY TO DAWN 9 JULY 1942
Weather Wind south-easterly; no cloud – slight haze.
0630 hrs Eight Spitfires 603 Squadron and eight of 249 Squadron, Ta Qali are scrambled to intercept seven JU 88s with fighter escort, approaching the Island.
0732 hrs Air raid alert. The Spitfires engage the enemy over Gozo: 603 Squadron P/O Glazebrook damages two JU 88s and P/O Newman damages one. F/Lt Sanders and F/O King probably destroy one ME 109, and P/O Mitchell and Sgt Ballantyne each damage one.
P/O King breaks off from the attack to chase a raider but he makes too steep a turn: his wing hits the water and his aircraft crashes, breaking up as it falls into the sea. F/Lt Sanders is attacked by a ME 109 and shot up. He lands his aircraft in the sea but is able to get out before it sinks. P/O Johnson is taken to hospital with slight injuries.
249 Squadron P/O Hesselyn and F/Sgt Beurling each destroy one ME 109; F/Sgt Williams damages another. Sgt Baxter crash-lands at Ta Qali due to shortage of petrol; he is unhurt.
The JU 88s with seven remaining ME 109s drop bombs on Luqa, damaging one Beaufort.
0800 hrs All clear. Three Spitfires 249 Squadron search for a dinghy until 0920 hrs.
1210 hrs Eight Spitfires 249 Squadron are scrambled to intercept approaching enemy aircraft.
1230 hrs Air raid alert. The Spitfires attack seven JU 88s with fighter escort as they are diving to attack Luqa aerodrome. F/Sgt Williams destroys one JU 88; P/O Hesselyn damages another. F/Sgt Beurling probably destroys one ME 109 and damages a JU 88. P/O McLean damages one ME 109. F/O Smith and Sgt Gilbert do not return.
1320 hrs All clear.
1430-1442 hrs Air raid alert. Raid does not materialise.
1940-2017 hrs Air raid alert. Seven JU 88s with an escort of fifteen ME 109s drop bombs on Luqa and Hal Far. Eight Spitfires 185 Squadron Hal Far are airborne to intercept: no reports. They land at Ta Qali, where Sgt Dodd overshoots the runway.
2155 hrs A bus on its way to Ta Qali aerodrome from Rabat turns over on its side on a steep hill, due to mechanical trouble.
0451-0536 hrs Six enemy aircraft cross the coast singly and drop bombs near Luqa and Ta Qali.
Military casualties Pilot Officer John Gilbert, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (VR); Flying Officer Neville King Royal Air Force VR, 603 Squadron; Flying Officer John Smith, Royal Air Force VR.
Civilian casualties Paola Frances Mifsud Speranza, age 17. Siggiewi Rita Cachia, age 13.
Enemy casualties Queisser, crewman of JU 88 bomber, picked up from the sea.
OPERATIONS REPORTS WEDNESDAY 8 JULY 1942
AIR HQ Arrivals One Whitley, one Beaufort from Gibraltar; two Beaufighters from EDCU. Aircraft casualties One Albacore failed to return from operations: crew missing. Two Spitfires crashed on landing: one pilot uninjured, one injured. Four Spitfires shot down into the sea: one pilot rescued, three missing.
9 July 1942: Malta Has Survived 2700 Air Raid Alerts Since June 1940
LOSS OF A VOLUNTEER
Malta’s Spitfire forces lost a remarkable volunteer today when Flying Officer Guy Carlet was killed during an operation to intercept enemy raiders over Malta. Guy was one of eight Spitfire pilots of 603 Squadron attacking a formation of German JU 88 bombers at around 1 o’clock this afternoon. Messerschmitt fighters launched a counter attack, dividing the Spitfire force and F/O Carlet was shot down.
Guy Levy-Despas Monument, Amherst College (4)
The son of the wealthy owner of a French chain of department stores Guy – real name Guy Andre Levy-Despas – was sent to the United States by his parents when war broke out. He was studying at Amherst College, Massachusetts, USA, when France fell in 1940. Guy immediately volunteered for the Royal Canadian Air Force, saying “A life without the idea of sacrifice is not worth living.” He has been awarded the Legion d’Honneur and Croix de Guerre (France). (see pic)
AIR RAIDS DAWN 9 JULY TO DAWN 10 JULY 1942
Weather Wind southerly; no cloud. Visibility poor with layers of haze up to 20000 feet.
0700-0710 hrs; 0755-0835 hrs Air raid alerts. Raids do not materialise.
0850 hrs Air raid alert. Sixteen Spitfires are scrambled from Ta Qali to intercept.
0910 hrs Six JU 88s dive-bomb Ta Qali aerodrome, dropping 142 small bombs which crater the dispersal areas and approaches to the caves. One bowser is destroyed and one airman admitted to hospital. The aerodrome remains serviceable. Two unexploded bombs are reported.
Eight Spitfires 603 Squadron Ta Qali dive to attack the bombers. F/Sgt Webster damages one. Eight Spitfires 249 Squadron Ta Qali are instructed to attack the high cover of ME 109s but do not gain enough height to make contact.
0920 hrs All clear.
1220 hrs Eight Spitfires 249 Squadron are scrambled to intercept seven approaching JU 88s with a close escort of twenty German and Italian fighters. F/Sgt Rae probably destroys one Macchi 202 and with P/O McElroy destroys one JU 88. P/O Paradis damages one JU 88 before being hit by fire from an enemy fighter; he is unhurt.
1252 hrs Air raid alert. Six JU 88s drop bombs on the Safi strip, destroying one Wellington and a Beaufort, and damaging two Beauforts. Eight Spitfires 603 Squadron attack the bombers but are split by ME 109 fighters. P/O Northcott probably destroys one ME 109. P/O Carlett does not return.
1324 hrs All clear.
1720-1805 hrs Eight Spitfires 249 Squadron are scrambled to attack a reported enemy plot but are radioed to hold off: no sightings or combats result.
1950 hrs Air raid alert for approaching enemy aircraft. Eight Spitfires 249 Squadron are scrambled to intercept and break up the close formation of ME 109 fighters escorting seven JU 88s. P/O Jones damages one ME 109. The bombers go on to bomb Ta Qali. Eight Spitfires 603 Squadron attack the bombers as they return from their bombing mission: P/O Mitchell destroys one JU 88; P/O McLeod probably destroys one and F/Sgt Parkinson destroys one ME 109.
2040 hrs All clear.
2055-2110 hrs Air raid alert: 12 enemy aircraft are believed to be carrying out a search to the north east of the Island.
2320-0055 hrs; 0215-0230 hrs; 0330-0400 hrs; 0500-0515 hrs Air raid alerts for a total of eleven enemy aircraft. Most bombs are dropped in the sea; some fall on the Ta Qali area.
Military casualties Flying Officer Guy Carlet, Legion d’Honneur, Croix de Guerre (France), Royal Canadian Air Force, 603 Squadron; Pilot Officer John Hicks, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve; Private Charles Azzopardi, 10th Battalion, The King’s Own Malta Regiment.
Civilian casualties Nil.
Enemy casualties Unteroffizier Herbert Schlitt, pilot of JU 88 bomber, shot down and killed, with crew Unteroffizier Josef-Erwin Forster, Observer, Gefreiter Andreas Pollack, Wireless Operator; Unteroffizier Franz Schmidl; Air Gunner.
OPERATIONS REPORTS THURSDAY 9 JULY 1942
ROYAL NAVY Motor Launches clearing south-west leg of channel of shallow draught mines.
AIR HQ Arrivals Two Hudsons from Gibraltar. Four Halifax from Gibraltar to Kasfareet landed at Malta. Aircraft casualties Two Spitfires shot down into the sea: one pilot rescued, one missing. One Spitfire failed to return from interception patrol: pilot missing.
10 July 1942: Axis Date for Invasion of Malta
St Paul’s Bay
According to military intelligence, 10 July is the date scheduled by Axis high command for ‘Operation Herkules’, the invasion of Malta and Gozo with airborne forces from Sicily. The Island’s photo-reconnaissance squadron has been monitoring closely the build-up of tanks, motor transport and landing craft in the southern ports over the past two weeks. Military and civil defence chiefs in Malta are prepared. Reports of surface craft off St Paul’s Bay today are as yet unconfirmed.
AIR RAIDS DAWN 10 JULY TO DAWN 11 JULY 1942
Weather Wind southerly; no cloud.
0705 hrs Air raid alert.
0730 hrs 13 JU 88s with an escort of 25 fighters attack Ta Qali, dropping bombs on the aerodrome. Fire breaks out in a Hurricane aircraft. Heavy and Light Ack Ack and fighters engage.
0745 hrs All clear.
1050 hrs Four Spitfires 603 Squadron Ta Qali are scrambled to intercept an approaching enemy formation of bombers with fighter escort. The formation flies past the Island to the south east.
1135 hrs Turning back over the coast, six JU 88s drop bombs on Hal Far, the Safi strip and Luqa, destroying a previously damaged Beaufort. Heavy Ack Ack engage. As the formation turns away from the airfield the Spitfires attack the twenty fighters. F/O Mitchell and F/Sgt Beurling each destroy one Macchi 202. F/Sgt Williams destroys one ME 109 and F/Sgt Butler damages one. Six Spitfires 249 Squadron Ta Qali are also airborne: no reports.
1240 hrs All clear.
1725 hrs Seven Spitfires 249 Squadron and six of 603 Squadron are scrambled to intercept reported enemy raiders.
1754 hrs Air raid alert. Twelve enemy aircraft come to within 30 miles of the Island and then recede.
1810 hrs All clear.
Military casualties Sergeant William Aitken, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAF VR); Sergeant John Harvey, RAF VR; Flight Sergeant Bernard Reynolds, Royal Canadian Air Force; Lance-Corporal Gerald Mamo, No 2 Works Company, Royal Engineers, Malta Territorial Force.
Civilian casualties Birkirkara Rosario Borg, age 21; Laurence Galea, age 39; Doris Galea, age 30; Francis Galea, age 3 months; Stella Mamo, age 32; Mary Mamo, age 4; Victoria Pisani, age 45; Carmel Pisani, age 10; Mary Pisani, age 8; Paul Pisani, age 3. Paola Frances Mifsud Speranza, age 17. Siggiewi Rita Cachia, age 13.
OPERATIONS REPORTS FRIDAY 10 JULY 1942
ROYAL NAVY Motor launches clearance sweep. Low visibility scirroco. Swona detonated one mine off entrance to Grand Harbour. Heavy interference on RDF and GL sets 10th/11th – note on Type 271 or GCI Vague reports of surface craft in St Paul’s Bay area. Nothing confirmed.
AIR HQ Arrivals One Hudson, one Catalina from Gibraltar; one Sunderland from Aboukir. Aircraft casualties One Spitfire failed to return from patrol: pilot missing.
11 July 1942: 68 Enemy Planes Destroyed
From: Governor & C in C Malta To: C in C Middle East Rptd: The War Office Weekly Report to 11 July 1942
1. Increased enemy air activity against aerodromes in attempt to neutralise striking force. Total of 108 JU 88 and 12 Italian bomber sorties with fighter escorts during daylight. 18 per cent of JU 88 destroyed and these have now adopted high level bombing tactics. Total of 60 raiders by night. Little damage except craters to aerodromes. Occasional jamming of RDF continues. Good week for our fighters.
JU 88 crashed at Ta Qali (NWMA Malta)
2. Ack Ack destroyed 2 JU 88, one Cant, one ME 109; damaged one JU 88. RAF destroyed 20 bombers, 45 fighters; probably destroyed 4 bombers, 11 fighters; damaged 23 bombers, 30 fighters.
3. Military casualties nine killed, six wounded. 10 tons UXBs disposed of plus 500 or more anti-personnel bombs.
AIR RAIDS DAWN 11 JULY TO DAWN 12 JULY 1942
Weather Wind south-westerly; no cloud – slight haze.
Day Bombs are dropped on Ta Qali and Rabat, Luqa and Hal Far. Heavy Ack Ack and fighters engage.
0700-0710 hrs Air raid alert. Raid does not materialise.
0900 hrs Eight Spitfires 249 Squadron Ta Qali are scrambled to attack an incoming formation of fighters escorting six JU 88s. S/Ldr Lucas damages one JU 88 and F/Lt Daddo-Langlois destroys one ME 109.
0925 hrs Air raid alert.
1000 hrs Bombs are dropped on Ta Qali aerodrome, setting a petrol bowser on fire.
1340-1405 hrs Air raid alert. Eight Spitfires 603 Squadron Ta Qali are scrambled to intercept and search for surface craft. No engagement.
1440-1513 hrs Air raid alert. Eight Spitfires 603 Squadron are scrambled: no engagement.
1810 hrs Eight Spitfires 249 Squadron are scrambled to intercept enemy aircraft.
1900 hrs Air raid alert.
1910 hrs Twelve JU 88s drop bombs, including several delayed-action, on Ta Qali near the caves and on the aerodrome, damaging water pipes. A/C Catchpole is injured while working on the danger flag. The Spitfires dive down to attack the JU 88s as they turn away from the airfield but are intercepted by fifteen ME 109s. P/O Jones destroys one ME 109 and damages another. F/Sgt Parkes and P/O Paradis each damage one ME 109. F/Sgt De Lara overshoots on landing, damaging his aircraft. W/O Ramsay does not return.
1925 hrs All clear.
2030-2110 hrs Two Spitfires 249 Squadron search for W/O Ramsay but sight nothing.
2335-2350 hrs; 0045-0055 hrs Air raid alerts. Five aircraft approach the Island but only one comes within 30 miles of the coast and drops its bombs in sea before receding.
Military casualties Sergeant George Corbett, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (VR); Pilot Officer Charles Ramsay, Royal Canadian Air Force; Flight Sergeant Anthony Wathern, Royal Air Force; Sergeant Stephen Woolley, RAF VR; Gunner John Murphy, 26th Defence Regiment, Royal Artillery.
Civilian casualties Balzan Giorgina Borg, age 52. Birkirkara John Galea, age 18. Rabat Carmel Bugeja, age 47; Pauline Deguera, age 9; Rita Sammut, age 18; Joseph Scerri, age 70. Zebbug Carmel Bonnici, age 12.
OPERATIONS REPORTS SATURDAY 11 JULY 1942
AIR HQ Aircraft casualties One Spitfire shot down into the sea: pilot missing. One Spitfire crashed on landing: pilot injured. One Baltimore failed to return from reconnaissance: crew missing.
FORTRESS ROYAL ENGINEERS Bomb Disposal UXB Reported 130. Dealt with High Explosives 33, including 11 delayed-action (500kg x 13; 250kg x 13; 50kg x 3; 15kg x 1; AP containers x 2) Anti-personnel bombs 502 plus large number of dud German 1kg incendiaries.
(1) Canadian Air Aces and Heroes, WWI, WWII and Korea
(2) The Air Battle for Malta, James Douglas-Hamilton, Pen & Sword 2006
(3) The Battle of Malta, Joseph Attard, Hamlyn Paperbacks 1982
(4) In his memory Guy’s parents funded a scholarship in French for Amherst College in 1943 and a memorial on campus
All written content © maltagc70 unless otherwise attributed. For conditions of use contact bdmalta@btinternet.com
Malta: War Diary 