Malta Under The Raiders' Flail: Heroic Reaction

Northern Advocate, 23 May 1941, Page 5

Malta Under The Raiders' Flail: Heroic Reaction

[British Official Wireless] (Received 12.30 p.m.) RfUGBY, May 22. i\£ALTA HAS HAD ANOTHER RAID, MAKING EIGHT IN THE PAST 24 HOURS. Only slight damage was caused and there were no casualties. Malta’s great contribution, to the war effort is recognised in a jnessage sent through the Secretary for the Colonies (Lord Moyne). “Britain continues to watch with profound admiration the heroic courage and invincible resolution of the garrison and people ■of Malta iit battle,” the message states. “As in Britain so in Malta the war has been brought into the very homes of the people, and is waged against women, children, the aged, infirm, sick and dying. Venerable and historic monuments, your cathedrals and churches are desecrated and defiled by the barbarians. Against these forces of evil you stand arrayed, as your fathers before you always stood, against the enemies of liberty. “In the great struggle in which we are engaged, Malta is standing guard over the Central Mediterranean in accordance with her traditions, and, with the unyielding courage of her race, is playing, and 1 is destined to play, a vital part. “Sustained by the justice of our cause, and fortified by the growing might of our armaments and by the support of our allies and all’free countries throughout the world, we are •assured of victory.”

Italy’s Costly Surprise

Before Italy entered the war her propagandists dwelt on the possible capture of Malta. The island was to have been bombed into submission, and then occupied by the Italian army.

One of the most severe attacks began on January 16, and lasted for three days. It was kept up by waves of aircraft, chiefly German, and concentrated mainly upon the harbour of Valetta, where the damaged air-craft-carrier Illustrious was lying. This attack is. known to have cost the enemy 39 machines and another 24 probably destroyed. Story of Destruction

Within the first six days of their entry into, the war, the Italians made 25 attacks on the island, but Malta struck back fiercely, while the Maltese people, far from being demoralised, ignored official orders'to take cover, and cheered as the Italian aircraft were brought. crashing down. After the Italians had lost at least 35 aircraft, and another 25 probably destroyed, they called in the aid of the Germans. German pilots, carrying Italians as passengers to show them how the job should be done, displayed characteristic bravado by waving to the islanders as they flew over to bomb and machine-gun them. But in the first week they lost nearly 40 machines and 14 probably destroyed. Germans Pay Dearly,

It is estimated that Malta has experienced at least 650 alerts, and well over 300 raids by bombers, fighters and patrols by day and night. It is stated that up to April 13 British fighters and anti-aircraft guns shot down for certain 132 planes, in addition to 44 probably destroyed and 50 damaged. The defences have lost 29 fighters, but ten of the pilots are safe. Malta has inevitably suffered severe damage. Some of the island’s historic _ monuments have been smashed. A direct hit has been made on the magnificent church at Birgu. Several other churches, as well as schools, shops and houses, have been destroyed. It is estimated, however, that the number of enemy airmen killed exceeds the civilian deathroll of the island.

Since then, the German High Command “honoured” Malta by appointing a special officer, Air-General Geisler, to direct attacks upon the island.