Devastated But Undaunted

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 109, 11 May 1942, Page 5

Devastated But Undaunted

TREMENDOUS AIR RAID DAMAGE AT MALTA Received Sunday, 9.20 p.m. LONDON, May 10. The British United Press’ correspondent at Malta reports: “I have Just toured the island and words do not exi6t to convey the picture of what has happened there as a result of the air raids, so I will try figures instead. The following have been destroyed or damaged: 15,500 houses (this counts blocks of flats as one house), 70 churches, 18 convents and nunneridfc, 10 theatres, eight hotels, 22 schools, eight hospitals, eight of the principal clubs, five of the principal banks, and 43 other public buildings, many, of which were world famous.

“Seventy-five per cent, of the houses of Valetta have been destroyed or damaged and over 75 per cent, of the buildings in the most populated areas are so smashed that complete rebuilding will be necessary. Hardly a hamlet in the island has not been hit. The miracle is that the casualties are so low —llO4 killed, 1316 seriously Injured and 1299 slightly injured. This is chiefly due to the effectiveness of the underground shelters.”