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1940-1949
An additional source for WWII-era incidents, but not caused by combat situations/conditions, is the web site www.Maltagc70.com
Use the above link whenever “source: www.Maltagc70.com” appears in the notes.
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| DATE |
AIRCRAFT |
SQDN |
SERIAL |
NOTES |
| 05.01.40 |
DH82B Queen Bee |
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L7762 |
Shot down into sea off Malta. |
| 30.01.40 |
F. Swordfish |
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Aircraft, which had disembarked from HMS Glorious and operating from Hal-Far, was practicing a night torpedo attack. Crashed in the sea between Filfla and Malta. Crew eventually rescued by High Speed Launch. Aircraft sank, and was not recovered. |
| 11.03.40 |
F. Swordfish |
812 |
K8371 |
Aircraft took off at 20:00hours from Hal-Far for night deck landing training by means of sector and pillar lights, and deck outline lights.
The first approach was somewhat low and was given a negative signal by the Officer i/c Flare Path. A second approach was again judged to be too low. Because by now it was judged that the pilot was flying in an erratic manner, the decision was taken to illuminate the chance flood light. The aircraft again made a low approach, a negative signal with the red lamp was made, but the aircraft hit the ground around 200 yds outside the airfield boundaries.
Three fatalities. |
| 13.03.40 |
DH82B Queen Bee |
|
P4709 |
Bounced on landing Hal Far. Transferred to Admiralty? |
| 18.03.40 |
Saunders-Roe A.27 London |
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K9683 |
Arrived from Gibraltar on the 8th, and was returning via Algiers, but had to return to Kalafrana due to W/T failure. Departed on the 19th. |
| 24.05.40 |
Saunders-Roe A.27 London |
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L7038 |
Aircraft had arrived on the 18th from Gibraltar. The flying-boat was returning when it was forced back to Malta due to engine trouble. |
| 21.06.40 |
Gl. Gladiator |
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Aircraft made a violent uncontrollable swing to the right and crashed into obstruction during take-off from Hal-Far Pilot uninjured, but aircraft deemed a write-off. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 21.06.40 |
Gl. Gladiator |
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N5524 |
Aircraft lost a wheel on take-off and overturned on landing. Pilot suffered some injuries, but aircraft was considered a write-off. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 05.07.40 |
Latecoere |
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Aircraft arrived at around 22:00 hours, with all navigation lights on. It sent the word FRANCE in morse code as it circled over Marsaxlokk Bay, landing at Kalafrana 5 minutes later.
The crew, identified as Adjutant Duvauchelle and Wireless Operator Mehauas, had escaped from Bizerta in Tunisia. Both stated they wished to serve with the Royal Air Force.
Prior to the French armistice with the Axis, it appears a message was issued inviting French planes to join Allied forces in the Mediterranean, including Malta. However, in view of attacks on Gibraltar by French aircraft, all French planes are now automatically regarded as hostile, unless and until they prove themselves friendly. Source: www.Maltagc70.com. |
| 02.08.40 |
H. Hurricane |
66 |
|
Engine failed on approach, causing the aircraft to crash. No fatalities, Pilot/Sergeant F N Robertson, taken to Marfa Military Hospital suffering from abrasions and a slight concussion.
Aircraft was one of twelve aircraft (Operation Hurry) sent to Malta on board the carrier HMS Argus to boost the island's defenses. The aircraft departed the carrier in two groups of six, guided by a Skua. The remaining 11 Hurricanes landed safely.
Stores and personnel for the Squadron were transported by submarines Proteus and Pandora for passage to Malta. Source: www.Maltagc70.com. |
| 02.08.40 |
B. Skua |
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Aircraft was leading the second formation of six Hurricanes (see above). The Skua approached for a landing after the Hurricanes, were it was seen to 'wobble', landing heavily on one wheel, skidding along its port wing, coming to a stop after 200 yards when it crashed over/into the air raid shelter near the control tower. No injuries, aircraft deemed repairable. Source: www.Maltagc70.com. |
| 26.08.40 |
B. Blenheim |
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T2058 |
Aircraft was en route from Gibraltar to the Middle East via Malta, when it crashed into the sea 55 miles from Malta. It is thought the pilot, Warrant Officer G H Cluley, may have ran out of fuel close to Pantalleria, and may have attempted to land there.
Immediate searches by a Swordfish and Sunderland aircraft, and HMS Nubian failed to find any trace of the pilot. Further searches by other aircraft also drew a blank, and the pilot was listed as missing. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 27.08.40 |
S.Sunderland |
230 |
L8159 |
Aircraft was on a reconnaissance patrol of Kithera. Crew forced to land and detained by the Greeks. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 03.09.40 |
V. Wellington |
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Two Wellingtons crash during take-off. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 17.09.40 |
S. Sunderland |
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_____/P |
One of three aircraft that departed for Alexandria, but had to return with engine trouble. Spares were flown in by a 230 squadron Sunderland, L5803, on the 20th , this aircraft departing on the 22nd. Departure date of ‘P’ unknow. |
| 23.09.40 |
V. Wellington |
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One of three arriving at Luqa, this particular aircraft crashed on landing. Passengers escaped with without injuries, but the aircraft couldn’t be repair with materials available on the island at the time. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 23.09.40 |
F. Swordfish |
830 |
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Aircraft was returning from a reconnaissance flight of the Ionian Sea. Pilot suffered engine failure leading to the ditching the aircraft in the sea within sight of Malta. Crew were rescued by a trawler. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 26.09.40 |
M. Maryland |
22/69 |
AR712 |
Undercarriage collapsed on landing, destroyed by an incendiary bomb on the 27th. |
| 13.10.40 |
S. Sunderland |
R.A.A.F. |
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Aircraft brought the British Secretary of State for War, Rt Hon Anthony Eden. Inclement weather delayed the aircraft's departure. Source: www.Maltagc70.com. |
| 15.10.40 |
Loire 130 |
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A Loire 130 defected from Bizerta, Northern Tunisia, landing at the Kalafrana sea base. It is in perfect condition, having done only 35 hours since new, and it is fully armed.
The French air crew have been named as 2nd Maitre Sergeant George Blaize, pilot, 2ndMaitre Sergeant Raoul Gatien, mechanic and 2nd Maitre Sergeant Henri Romanetti, naval airman.
This is the first time Maitre Sergeant Blaize has flown a Loire 130. Despite this they had a very good flight, although his landing was described as ‘a bit shaky’.
The aircraft were meant to fly to Morocco, then to Dakar, Senegal, were they would join the battleship Richelieu.
Actually two Loire 130s had defected, but the crews ran into thick cloud near Pantelleria were they lost of each other; it is though that they missed Malta and may have landed in the sea. The other pilot had also not flown a Loire before – though he did have a proper wireless operator with him.
A Swordfish was sent to try and locate the missing Loire, without success.
Their escape from Tunisia were aided by the fact that a) Sergeant Henri Romanetti, who was on guard duty with the aircraft, instead of raising the alarm at their actions, went aboard with the flight crew. And b) the flying boats were due to set off in the morning. Source: www.Maltagc70.com. |
| 16.10.40 |
F. Swordfish |
830, F.A.A. |
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Aircraft ditched in the sea due to engine trouble whilst on patrol from Malta. A 230 squadron Sunderland on patrol asked to divert to locate the Swordfish at 10:13 hrs, picking up the crew at 12:05 hrs. Source: www.Maltagc70.com. |
| 17.10.40 |
S. Sunderland |
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Heavy swells at Kalafrana prevent aircraft from conducting their Easterly areas patrols until the 20th. Source: www.Maltagc70.com. |
| 18.10.40 |
G. Martin |
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Northern area patrols are cancelled due to bad weather. Source: www.Maltagc70.com. |
| 23.10.40 |
F. Swordfish |
830, F.A.A. |
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The aircraft was returning from patrolling the Ionian Sea. Aircraft forced to land in the sea within sight of Malta (reason not stated), the crew being rescued by a trawler.
A recovery vessel was sent to try and retrieve the aircraft, but after a thorough search, nothing was found, leading to the presumption the aircraft had sunk. Source: www.Maltagc70.com. |
| 03.11.40 |
V. Wellington |
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Aircraft was part of a flight departing on a bombing raid on Naples. It failed to gain height, and crashed shortly before 23.30 on open ground near Tal Handaq. Source: www.Maltagc70.com. |
| 03.11.40 |
V. Wellington |
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Took off from Luqa ten minutes after the above aircraft, also failing to gain height, and crashing on two houses on the outskirts of Qormi village, despite attempts by the pilot to avoid buildings. Two civilian, and at least four RAF fatalities.
An inquiry concluded that both aircraft were carrying too heavy a load for operations from Luqa airport. Source: www.Maltagc70.com. |
| 03.11.40 |
V. Wellington |
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T2743 |
It is practically certain that this is one of the above mentioned 2 Wellingtons. RAF records, however, list as crashing over/at the village of Zebbug, which is approximately 1.5km due west of Qormi. The Qormi/Tal-Handaq areas are underneath the r/w 13/31 flight path. To have crashed over Zebbug, the aircraft would have taken off from the wartime r/w 27, and turning right (i.e. Northerly) after take-off. |
| 04.11.40 |
Wellington |
Wellington Flight |
R1094 |
Crashed after take-off. Three fatalities, one major injury, one minor injury. |
| 06.11.40 |
Wellington |
Wellington Flight |
T2877 |
Overshot runway after landing from an operational sortie. Two minor injuries. |
| 17.11.40 |
H. Hurricane |
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V7413 |
One of a six-aircraft formation on a delivery flight from the HMS Argus. Ditched in sea after running out of petrol.
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| 17.11.40 |
H. Hurricane x8 |
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V7374 |
As above. A second formation of six Hurricanes, also flown off the Argus would all be lost at sea. See report below.
Sunderland L5803 was on escort duty for Hurricanes and rescued one downed pilot.
Sunderland L5807 was also on search patrol for Hurricanes w/o success. (This aircraft would be destroyed in a strafing mission on 27.04.41 by Me-109s, which set the aircraft on fire, eventually sinking.)
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Accident Report
Code-named "White", this operation was a repeat of Operation "Hurry" conducted in August.
The twelve aircraft took-off from HMS Argus in two formations of six aircraft each, one hour apart, each formation guided by a Skua aircraft. First take-off was at 06:15. On approaching to Galleta Island, where a Malta-based Sunderland flying boat would take over from the Skua, and guide them to Malta.
A little after 09:00, two Hurricanes were observed ditching in the sea by the Sunderland. The pilot landed on the water, and rescued one of the pilot, Sergeant R. A. Spyer, who reported that he had run out of fuel. The remaining four Hurricanes and the Skua landed safely at Luqa at 09:20.
The second formation fared even worse, all seven aircraft and their crews going missing. Also, the Sunderland meant to guide them in suffered a technical fault preventing it from taking-off, being substituted by a Glenn Martin bomber, who was unable to make contact with the incoming flight. Searches by anti-submarine trawlers off the sister island of Gozo were equally fruitless.
An immediate inquiry has been launched into the loss of nine aircraft flown off HMS Argus for Malta on Sunday. Reporting to the War Cabinet, the First Sea Lord outlined the initial findings of the emergency investigation into the loss.
According to the report, the first flight of six Hurricanes, led by a Skua, flew, where they were met by a Sunderland flying boat to be guided onward to Malta. The second flight of one Skua and six Hurricanes also flew off Argus. They were due to rendezvous with a Sunderland flying boat which was unable to take off owing to a defect. A Glenn Martin was sent instead to meet the seven delivery aircraft instead. However, the weather deteriorated and the Glenn Martin failed to make contact with the second flight.
The report’s firm conclusion was that in both flights the machines were carrying a very small margin of fuel. The investigation had established that five of the aircraft in the first flight arrived at the rendezvous with very little fuel left in their tanks. Two force-landed in the sea; one pilot was picked up by the Sunderland flying-boat.
The second flight asked for a direction-finder bearing from Malta, which was given. At that time they were in a position due west of the Island. It is not known whether their signal had been picked up. Despite a thorough search, none of the pilots was located.
The distance from the point at which the aircraft flew off Argus for Malta was 385 miles. This was 40 miles further west of Malta than the last time a similar operation was carried out. It is believed that the early take-off was ordered when an Italian naval force was detected approaching the convoy. This would appear to be critical given the findings regarding low fuel readings in the surviving aircraft.
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| DATE |
AIRCRAFT |
SQDN |
SERIAL |
NOTES |
| 28.11.40 |
V. Wellington |
148 |
T2894 |
Aircraft was one of six that arrived from the UK in the morning on 25.11.40. Departed for the Middle East at 09:01. After its departure, an air raid warning was sounded and the remaining aircraft were prevented from taking off. T2894 was last seen heading towards a convoy being attacked by Italian AF bombers. Six fatalities. Weather conditions normal. |
| 01.01.41 |
M. Maryland |
431 Flight |
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Reconnaissance flight over Taranto cancelled due to bad weather. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 01.01.41 |
M. Maryland |
431 Flight |
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Reconnaissance flight over Pantelleria cancelled due to engine problems. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 03.01.41 |
S. Sunderland x4 |
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Gale force winds and heavy seas damaged four Sunderland aircraft moored in Marsaxlokk Harbour this evening. Force 8 gales whipped up waves to 15 feet within the harbour, subjecting the seaplanes to heavy pounding.
One Sunderland broke its main pennant and anchor chain simultaneously and was in danger of being destroyed. Its Wireless Operator sprang into action, and single-handedly managed to start the outboard engines. He skilfully manoeuvred the plane out of danger and held it steady until help arrived from another boat which managed to take a line and make fast to another mooring.
Three other Sunderlands broke their main pennants but crews kept their engines kept running to ease the strain on the anchor chains. All four flying-boats became unserviceable, but repairable. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 07.01.41 |
M. Maryland |
431 Flight |
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Two reconnaissance flights (by different aircraft) over Catania & Tripoli cancelled due to bad weather. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 19.01.41 |
S. Spitfire PR Mk.1D |
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P9551 |
Aircraft, from RAF Benson in England, was on a photo-reconnaissance sortie over Genoa, Italy. Insufficient fuel to return to the UK forced the pilot, F/Lt Corbishley DFC, to continue to Malta and land at Ta' Qali airfield. The aircraft remained in Malta and used locally, until such time that wind conditions would enable the aircraft’s return to the UK.
First sortie from Malta was on the 21st over Sicily. Shot down by flak when on a recce flight over Genoa on 02.02.41, the pilot being taken prisoner. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 25.01.41 |
Cant Z501 |
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106 Squadron/93 Group |
The aircraft was first spotted by Malta’s early warning systems some thirty miles off. Having circled at some distance for around 45 minutes, it approached and flew over the north coast of Malta showing navigation lights, leading coastal units to believe it was friendly. Thinking this could be a free French flying boat, the order was given for beach lights at St Paul’s Bay to be illuminated to enable it to alight offshore. The aircraft duly came down safely just off the coast of Comino.
However, the pinnace from St Paul’s bay is sent out to the flying boat, which is identified it as an Italian. The seaplane’s four-man crew are placed under guard and taken back to shore. When interrogated, the Italian pilot explained that they were lost and running low on fuel. They had signalled to what they thought was their base, asking for searchlights to aid their return. It was by chance that Malta’s searchlights were exposed at the critical moment, prompting the Cant to land. The flying boat’s crew were based at Augusta in Sicily.
It was later reported that a heavy swell had broken the float of the seaplane forcing it capsize and sink. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 09.02.41 |
F. Swordfish |
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Aircraft was being loaded up with “cucumber” explosives. One exploded, killing 7 naval and 1 civilian. |
| 03.04.41 |
H. Hurricane Mk. II |
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Aircraft crashed on landing at Luqa. No injuries, and aircraft damage repairable.
This was part of Operation Winch one of several Hurricanes that had taken off from the Ark Royal to reinforce the island’s defences, together with nine Fulmar fighters of 800 squadron.
The Hurricanes flew in two formations, initially guided by two Skuas. From Malta, a Maryland and Sunderland aircraft were waiting to guide them the rest of the way, but the first formation failed to make contact with the Maryland, although the Sunderland had no problems in making contact with the incoming Hurricanes.
A RAF high speed launch, stationed 40 miles off Malta in case of forced water landings was fired upon by Italian fighters. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 03.04.41 |
S. Skua |
800 FAA |
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Two Skuas, which had taken off from Ark Royal (see above), and meant to return to the carrier had to land in Malta due to adverse weather. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 14.04.41 |
M. Maryland |
69 |
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Flying Officer Adrian Warburton took off from Luqa in the morning for a test flight prior to a reconnaissance mission planned for later in the day.
Shortly afterwards, Hurricanes were scrambled to intercept an incoming force of Ju.88s escorted by Me-109s. The Maryland was mistaken for an enemy aircraft, and fired upon, damaging the starboard engine and undercarriage.
F/O Warburton was forced to crash-land at Luqa, emerging unscathed from the encounter.
Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 14.04.41 |
M. Maryland |
69 |
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Reconnaissance sortie over Tripoli had to be abandoned after developing engine trouble, necessitating an immediate return to Malta. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 15.04.41 |
M. Maryland |
69 |
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Reconnaissance sortie over Palermo unsuccessful due to low cloud and rain. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 02.05.41 |
H. Hurricane |
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Aircraft crashed, but not due to enemy action. One fatality. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 02.05.41 |
H. Hurricane |
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Aircraft crashed from altitude on approach to Hal-Far airfield, bursting into flames. One fatality. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 03.05.41 |
B. Beaufighter |
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Crew took off for a test flight during an air raid, ignoring signals not to take off. As he heads for a Sunderland aircraft moored at Kalafrana, he is intercepted by Hurricanes and fired upon, before being recognised as a “friendly”. Damage to the undercarriage resulted in aircraft making a crash landing, but no injuries to crew. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 06.05.41 |
M. Maryland |
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Departed for Middle East, but returned with compass trouble having reached as far as Crete. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 07.05.41 |
Hurricane |
261 |
V7365 |
Mid-air collision with another Hurricane (see below). Pilot survived with injuries. |
| 07.05.41 |
H. Hurricane |
261 |
V7548 |
Pilot was acting as a rear-end “weaver”. On a port-to-starboard “weave”, the pilot descended too low, chopping off the leaders’ fin and rudder. The “weaver’s” aircraft entered into a spin from which the pilot was unable to recover, subsequently crashing in the village of Naxxar. One fatality. |
| 08.05.41 |
M. Maryland |
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AH298 |
Reported missing on a ferry flight to Malta. |
| 17.05.41 |
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Air raid alert for one Ju-88 bomber, escorted by three ME 109 fighters, which was on a reconnaissance mission over Malta. Aircraft (Hurricanes?) were on a standing patrol, but wireless trouble prevents interception. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 20.05.41 |
H. Hurricane |
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Aircraft crashed on landing at Hal-Far, no injuries. Report does not state whether it was the result of combat or “normal” mechanical failure. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 21.05.41 |
H. Hurricane |
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One of 46 Hurricanes taking-off from HMS Ark Royal and HMS Furious as part of Operation “Splice”, the delivery of aircraft to the Middle East via Malta. Aircraft crashed off Cape Bon. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 21.05.41 |
H. Hurricane |
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Purpose of flight as above. Reported missing. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 21.05.41 |
B. Blenheim |
82 |
V6165 |
One of six aircraft being delivered from Gibraltar to, or through, Malta. The other 5 aircraft landed safely, and reported V6165 crashing into the sea at 37.03 N, 01.42E. Navigator rescued. |
| 09.06.41 |
F. Swordfish |
830 |
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One of two engaged in SAR missions for a Hurricane pilot and an Italian SM-79 bomber, this aircraft had to make an emergency landing in the sea. The crews of all three aircraft are rescued. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 11.06.41 |
H. Hurricane II |
46 |
Z2480 |
Aircraft was observed diving into the sea after attacking enemy aircraft. Rest of the squadron didn’t report any return fire from the enemy a/c. |
| 12.06.41 |
F. Swordfish x2 |
830 |
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Six Swordfish aircraft depart o a bombing mission of Tripoli harbor and quays. Two are forced to abort and return due to engine trouble. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 12.06.41 |
Fulmar |
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Aircraft ditches in the sea under unknown circumstances, crew picked up and returned to Hal-Far. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 14.06.41 |
B. Bombay |
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Aircraft crashed in the sea off Marsaxlokk, no survivors. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 14.06.41 |
H. Hurricane |
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Forty-seven Hurricanes were to be delivered to Malta in four separate formations by the carriers HMS Victorious and Ark Royal, as part of Operation “Tracer”. Four Hudson aircraft departed Gibraltar to rendezvous and escort them to Malta. Some of the Hurricanes were for onward delivery to the Middle East.
This particular aircraft was seen leaving its formation and heading for North Africa, landing at Blida, Algeria with a fuel leak. Pilot successfully destroyed the aircraft by fire before being taken prisoner. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 14.06.41 |
H. Hurricane |
260 |
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The fourth formation encountered navigational problems, leading to low fuel levels. This aircraft crashed in the sea after running out of fuel, with the loss of its pilot. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 14.06.41 |
H. Hurricane |
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Z4317 |
Crashed in Wied il-Kbir as a result of fuel shortage. One fatality. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 15.06.41 |
H. Hurricane x7 |
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Two Wellingtons departed for the Middle East, leading a formation of 28 Hurricanes. These seven returned to Malta after losing the Wellingtons in clouds. |
| 16.06.41 |
V. Wellington |
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One of four Wellingtons expected on this day (a second failed to show), the aircraft developed technical problems on the approach to Hal-Far airfield, crashing in Kalafrana Bay. No survivors. Source: www.Maltagc70.com. The Air H.Q. Malta ORB gives the arrivals as 2 Wellingtons and 2 Blenheims, arriving from Gibraltar. |
| 18.06.41 |
H. Hurricane |
261 |
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One of six Hurricanes scrambled to intercept two formations of Italian Macchi 200 fighters. Aircraft catches fire due to glycol leak, crashing over Mosta. Pilot killed after bailing out at too low an altitude. Report doesn’t make clear whether this was a malfunction, or the result of enemy action. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 18.06.41 |
B. Beaufighter |
69 |
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Aircraft crashed on take-off, no injuries. Pilot was the famed P/O (later Wing Commander) Adrian “Warby” Warburton. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 25.06.41 |
H. Hurricane |
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Aircraft catches fire during re-fueling at RAF Ta’ Qali, cause and extent of damage unknown. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 27.06.41 |
H. Hurricane |
260 |
Z4356 ? |
One of 21 delivered by HMS Ark Royal as part of Operation “Railway” (the 22nd failed to reach Malta, reported missing), the pilot overshot the runway on landing at Ta Qali airfield, hitting a wall. Extent of damage unknown, no injuries. Serial needs confirmation. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 29.06.41 |
B. Blenheim |
82 |
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Six Bleiheims left to attack merchant ships in Tripoli Harbour. This aircraft had to return with engine trouble. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 30.06.41 |
H. Hurricane |
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Aircraft was one of 42 aircraft being delivered by the carriers HMS Air Royal and Furious as Phase 2 of Operation “Railway”.
This was the tenth aircraft to take off from Furious, but during its take-off run, hit the bridge of the carrier, starting a fire which killed three Fleet Air Arm officers, damaged five other Hurricanes and injured their pilots. The two carriers immediately turned round and headed back for Gibraltar. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 02.07.41 |
H. Hurricane x2 |
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Two Hurricanes collided during landing at RAF Ta’ Qali. Both are badly damaged. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 04.07.41 |
H. Hurricane IIA |
126 |
Z3055 |
Aircraft took off from Safi strip but, probably due to engine problems, dived into the sea. Pilot never found.
Aircraft was discovered at a depth of 40 meters off Wied Iz-Zurrieq in 1993, and brought to the surface two years later. It has since been restored and is on display at the Malta Aviation Museum at Ta’ Qali. (Additional information below.) Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
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Onward to Malta
From the web site https://scarfandgoggles.wordpress.com/tag/tom-neil, I found the following information.
Hurricane Z3055 was built in early 1941, one of the fifth production batch of 1,000 aircraft built at Kingston. It was delivered from the factory to No. 48 Maintenance Unit at Hewarden on 27 February 1941 and prepared for squadron service. Over the next few months the Hurricane was shuttled between. It was transferred to Abbotsinch and No. 5 Maintenance Unit at Kemble. It was delivered back to Abbotsinch on 18 May, for shipment to Malta as part of the convoy known as Operation ROCKET.
To start this, the seventh ‘Club Run’ (as the Royal Navy christened the Malta convoys), the converted Edwardian cruise ship HMS Argus was loaded with 29 cased Hurricanes on the Clyde, and sailed with the cruiser HMS Exeter to join convoy WS 8B to Gibraltar, arriving on May 31st. A day later the carrier HMS Furious, a converted WW1 battle cruiser, also arrived in Gibraltar, upon which were 48 pre-assembled Hurricane Mk. II aircraft including Z3055, which were transferred to HMS Ark Royal as she lay at anchor in Gibraltar.
This was a repeat of the previous Club Run, Operation SPLICE, which had taken the elite 249 Squadron to Malta a fortnight earlier. Among the pilots who made that journey was 249 Squadron’s top-scoring ace Tom Neil, who memorably described the voyage in his memoir Onward to Malta:
“In the warm and sultry blackness of the Mediterranean night, Gibraltar was a blaze of light, a stirring and nostalgic sight for those of us who had lived in conditions of blackout for almost two years. Gathering our meagre belongings we bade farewell to the Furious and stumbled along the debris-strewn dockside towards the Ark. Above us, planks had already gone down and the first of our aircraft were being trundled across.”
The Argus then made a stern-to-stern transfer of her completed aircraft to Furious, while the remaining cased airframes were landed on Gibraltar for assembly. Although the scene was one of furious activity for many engineers, stevedores and sailors, the same could not be said for the pilots. Their job was still to come, and Gibraltar provided an ideal interlude:
“From our hosts we learned that we would be sailing as soon as the transfer of aircraft had been completed,” Tom Neil wrote.
“Later, much later, with pink gins fairly slopping around inside I returned to my cabin, my morale restored absolutely by the sophistication of my surroundings and the courtesy of my new-found friends. Then, in the wee small hours, tremors and subdued grumblings started up somewhere underfoot and, in a cosy, gin-induced stupor, I concluded that we were once more heading seawards. . . Good ol’ Navy, I thought; Cap’n Bligh, or whoever, would probably know the way. Two points to starboard, if you please, Mister Christian! Dear God! If only the sides of this cabin would keep still.”
On Operation ROCKET, Ark Royal and Furious set off eastwards late on June 4th, escorted by Force H of the Mediterranean fleet: the battle cruiser HMS Renown, the cruiser HMS Sheffield and the destroyers HMS Faulknor, Fearless, Foresight, Forester, Foxhound and Fury .
Early in the morning of June 6th the carriers launched a total of 44 Hurricanes from their regular point close to the Balearic Islands. The Hurricanes would rendezvous with eight Blenheim bombers that had taken off from Gibraltar and fly the regular supply route towards Cap Bon on the northeast tip of Tunisia then skip round the hostile islands of Pantelleria, Lampedusa and Linosa before arriving over Malta.
The route was difficult and potentially dangerous – Italian, German and Vichy French aircraft were all in range of the Hurricanes, which were unarmed and over-laden with fuel for the flight and supplies for the island such as cigarettes and toothpaste, stowed where the ammunition should be. There was also, for the pilots, the new and daunting prospect of taking off from a ship.
The experience was recorded by Tom Neil, who was not in the best of spirits when he had to make his great leap into the unknown.
“Silent and yawning, we went in single file to one of the deserted dining rooms and were each handed a fried breakfast by one of the kitchen staff whose bare and bulging arms were liberally garnished with red-and-blue pictures referring to Love, Mother and a lady called Doris. . .”
Although there was considerable trepidation among the young men who would fly off, catastrophes were thankfully rare on these convoys. The mighty Ark Royal in particular could summon up 30 knots into wind, giving the over-burdened Hurricanes all possible help to take off despite the short runway of her deck.
All 44 of the Hurricanes got away safely on Operation ROCKET but one was forced to return to the Ark Royal due to engine problems and made an unheard-of deck landing – all the more remarkable when laden with long-range fuel tanks and stowed equipment. The remaining 43 Hurricanes and the eight Blenheims from Gibraltar arrived safely in Malta.
At this time the war in Malta had quietened down significantly. The Luftwaffe had only days before withdrawn from Sicily in order to make its way to the Russian border, where soon Operation BARBAROSSA would launch Hitler’s offensive to the east.
Tom Neil would recall it as: “a delightful period of my life. Here I was on a nice warm Mediterranean island, surrounded by friends and decent aeroplanes to fly… what we had was a private war between three squadrons of Hurricanes and the Italian air force in Sicily, which was very much a comic opera affair . . . The Italians were not really interested in this war. They did not bother us much.”
As a result Z3055 was held in reserve until July 1st when she was taken on charge by 126 Squadron. On July 4th she took off before daybreak from the reserve airstrip at Safi before dawn with Sergeant Tom Hackston at the controls. For some reason Hackston got into difficulties and crashed into the sea and was killed, with Z3055 ending her marathon journey to Malta in ignominious fashion.
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| DATE |
AIRCRAFT |
SQDN |
SERIAL |
NOTES |
| 05.07.41 |
B. Blenheim IV |
82 |
Z9575 |
Crashed near Gudja after take-off on a non-operational flight, the result of the port engine failure, which was heard misfiring during the take-off run. Two fatalities, two serious injuries. |
| 01.07.41 |
V. Wellington |
|
Z8730 |
Departed Malta at 20:13 on ferry to the Middle East. Never arrived at destination, Seven missing, believed dead. |
| 08.07.41 |
H. Hurricane x2 |
|
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Eight Hurricanes took from RAF Ta’ Qali for the Middle East. Two returned after colliding in mid-air. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 12.07.41 |
? |
|
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Aircraft en route to the Middle East crashed at Safi Strip. One fatality. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 12.07.41 |
V. Wellington |
|
D8775 |
Aircraft was on delivery, probably by 15 OTU. Departed at 22:15, but crashed on take-off into Safi strip, indicating a departure from runway 14. 7 fatalities, including 1 passenger. Cause of the crash is believed to be too early retraction of flaps. |
| 14.07.41 |
F. Fulmar |
|
|
Aircraft took off from Hal-Far for Catania and Gelbini, but was forced with a glycol leak. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 17.07.41 |
Wellington |
|
D9277 |
Aircraft went missing on a flight from Malta to Egypt. Rubber dinghy with some of the crew were found and rescued, but pilot and second crew member had swum away from the dinghy a few hours previously and were never found. |
| 19.07.41 |
H. Hurricane |
126 |
|
Aircraft involved in take-off accident. One fatality. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 31.07.41 |
V. Wellington x3, B. Bleinheim x4 |
|
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Formation leader had engine problems, all aircraft returning to Malta. The report doesn’t make clear if the seven aircraft were departing as one formation, or two separate ones. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 31.07.41 |
H. Hurricane IIC |
249 |
Z3492 |
Aircraft crashed after take-off, possibly due to fuel starvation. |
| 02.08.41 |
Wellington |
|
Z8773 |
enroute Gibraltar to Malta, reported overdue. Six missing. |
| 06.08.41 |
H. Hurricane Mk. II |
185 |
Z2479 |
Aircraft bounced on landing at Hal Far. Pilot opened the throttle but the starboard wing dropped, the aircraft dropping heavily on the starboard undercarriage, which collapsed. Aircraft slide for a distance. Pilot suffered slight injuries. |
| 08.08.41 |
H. Hurricane |
185 |
|
Hurricanes are scrambled for three incoming Ju-87, but no engagement takes place as the 87s turn north without releasing bombs. Hurricane suffers engine failure out at sea. Pilot rescued by float-equipped Swordfish. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 10.08.41 |
M. Maryland Mk. I |
69 |
AR739 |
Crew had been on a reconnaissance flight over Catania. Starboard engine failed during the return flight 20 minutes from Malta but stalled on the approach, approximately a quarter mile from the airfield boundary, whilst carrying 2, 500lb bombs, which fortunately didn’t explode. Two instant fatalities, a third crew member passing away the following day. |
| 17/18.08.41 |
H. Hurricane |
|
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Eleven aircraft are scrambled to intercept a formation of six enemy aircraft spotted 60 miles north of Malta. Three develop various troubles and have to land. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 23.08.41 |
F. Swordfish |
830 |
|
5 aircraft took off to attack a merchant ship off the Tunisian coast but all of the 5 suffered from overheating and developed engine trouble. Forced to return to base. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 27.08.41 |
F. Swordfish |
830 |
|
One of nine aircraft sent to attack a convoy 37 miles north west of Lampedusa. This aircraft crashed on take-off; crew safe. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 31.08.41 |
S. Walrus Mk. I |
RAF Seaplane Rescue Flt. Kalafrana. |
L2182 |
Nosed over in sea after hitting a swell. Written off. |
| 01.09.41 |
L. Hudson |
|
N7324 |
Departed Luqa on a reconnaissance flight, but forced to land near Tunis after being attacked and damaged by RN planes. One crew member suffered injuries in his arms and legs. The four crew members were interred. |
| 06.09.41 |
F. Fulmar |
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2 Fulmars are sent to patrol Catania and Gerbini, but developed engine trouble (report does not state whether it is one or both aircraft). Before returning to Malta, aircraft went to Comiso and dropped incendiaries. Crew/s returned to Malta, changed aircraft, and took off again at 00:01 hrs for Catania, where they dived and machine-gunned the airfield, damaging three aircraft. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 13.09.41 |
H. Hurricane |
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Aircraft crashed on take-off from HMS Furious killing the pilot. One of 45 meant to bolster Malta’s air defences. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 13.09.41 |
H. Hurricane x2 |
|
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2 of 45 Hurricanes meant to bolster Malta’s air defences. Damaged during landing at Malta’s airfields. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 21/22.09.41 |
F. Swordfish |
830 |
L7660 |
One of six aircraft returning from an attack on a convoy near Lampedusa Island. Aircraft must have suffered a malfunction, as it returned with its torpedo still attached. Pilot was judged to approach too fast, bouncing on touchdown. Undercarriage collapsed, causing the missile to explode, resulting in one fatality and one serious injury. Source: www.Maltagc70.com and the RAF Kalafrana Operations Records Book (ORB). |
| 21/22.09.41 |
HE 115A-2 |
Z Flight RAF (Malta) |
BV185 |
Captured German aircraft was being used for clandestine missions. Aircraft crashed into the sea after losing power, 20 miles off the Maltese coast. Three British fatalities. |
| 22/23.09.41 |
B. Bleinheim |
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A Blenheim pilot landed his badly damaged aircraft at Luqa airfield today after a tense 218-mile flight across the Mediterranean. Sergeant Williams’ Blenheim was one of six sent to attack German barrack blocks and fuel dumps at Homs in North Africa. During the attack Pilot Wing Commander D W Scivier AFC made a sharp turn, coming up underneath Sgt Williams, whose aircraft propellers sliced through the fuselage of W/Cdr Scivier’s Blenheim, which plunged into a steep dive and crashed with the loss of the entire crew.
Sgt Williams’ Blenheim was also badly damaged in the collision. He managed to keep the plane airborne and nursed it gently back to Malta. Sgt Williams and his crew, observer Sgt R Scholefield and wireless operator/air gunner Sgt A. Tuppen were treated for shock. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 03.11.41 |
F. Fulmar |
|
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Two aircraft, on an offensive patrol over the Linosa area, are forced to turn back owing to engine trouble. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 09.11.41 |
H. Hurricane |
Malta Night Fighter Unit |
|
Pilot took off at 22:00hrs, but bailed out of the aircraft at 400 feet after engine failure. (See report below.) |
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Shortest flight of my life.
"Another night was memorable for the shortest flight of my life. I scrambled to intercept a raid and took off from Ta' Qali with everything normal. I had just got my wheels up when my engine stopped dead."
This was how Flt Lt Donald "Dimsie" Stones recorded one of his experiences during his defence of Malta at night shortly after the setting up by the Royal Air Force of the Malta Night Flight Unit in World War II.
The meagre fighter force in Malta at the start of the war put up a formidable defence of the island but it was a different matter at night.
The defence deficiencies are brought to light in an article by Robin J. Brooks in this month's edition of Britain's top-selling aviation monthly Flypast.
Flt Lt Stones wrote that after he parachuted out of the plane the canopy "cracked open above me, something burned inside my left thigh and I landed almost at once on a stone wall, cushioned by a thorn bush.
"My poor Hurricane was burning brightly in the next field about 50 yards away. Getting out of my parachute, I started to walk towards the fire when I was surrounded by some Maltese waving sticks at me, convinced I was the German for whom the air raid sirens had sounded.
"I tore off my Mae West and opened my overalls to reveal my RAF uniform and wings. This partially convinced the Maltese but just then my Hurricane's full load of ammunition started exploding in the inferno, followed by the oxygen bottles which sounded like bombs to the Maltese and (it was) certain lynching for me.
"Mercifully, a British gunner appeared from one end of the airfield defence batteries and helped to save my bacon. In return I treated him to a rather large Scotch back at the airfield."
The Malta Night Flight Unit was set up to make up for the lack of night-time defensive capabilities by Sqn Ldr George Powell-Sheddon with the allocation of eight Hawker Hurricane IICs and four IIBs. The unit was based at Ta' Qali. Sqn Ldr Powell-Sheddon, affectionately known as "Polly", was charged with gathering other pilots from the fighter squadron stationed in Malta.
The first priority was to paint the planes black and "Polly" had decided that the Hurricanes would fly in pairs hand in hand with local searchlight units.
Double batteries of searchlights were placed at each end of the island. The intention was for the Hurricanes to circle these until the radar plotted enemy aircraft approaching about 24 kilometers out.
On December 2, 1941, the MNFU was renamed 1435 Flight and around the same time, their operations were extended to night intruder patrols around enemy fields in Sicily.
Routine flying tests were done at dusk to ensure serviceability of the aircraft. The planes were parked on the edge of the Ta' Qali airfield. Six pilots would be at readiness all night. The unit was finally disbanded on May 9, 1945.
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| DATE | AIRCRAFT | SQDN | SERIAL | NOTES | | 11.11.41 | F. Albacore x3 | F.A.A. | | All Three aircraft had to return from a mission due to engine trouble. Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 11.11.41 | F. Swordfish x7 | 830, F.A.A. | | These seven aircraft dispatched to attack a convoy. Three are forced to return due to engine trouble, whilst the remaining four never return. Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 12.11.41 | H.Hurricane | | | In the early morning, Blenheims set out on a special mission, to guide in a new delivery of Hurricane aircraft flying off the aircraft carriers Argus and Ark Royal as part of Operation Perpetual. A total of 37 Hurricanes set off for Malta that morning; 34 aircraft arrived safely.
The above Hurricane, piloted by an American pilot, had to make a wheels up landing at Hal-Far, damaging the aircraft. The fate of the other two aircraft is unknown to this writer.
Their mission successfully completed, the aircraft carriers turned westwards along with the rest of the convoy, Force “H”. Next afternoon Ark Royal was hit by an enemy torpedo. With the valiant efforts of the accompanying destroyers, the carrier was brought within sight of Gibraltar before she finally sank on the morning of 15 November. Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 20.11.41 | | Malta Night Fighter Unit | | Took off from Ta’ Qali (where the unit was based) but crashed on the Attard to Rabat following engine failure. No injuries. | | 24.11.41 | M. Maryland | | LB427 | Aircraft departed from Ta’ Qali on patrol, but nothing was heard from the aircraft after take-off, and neither did it return to base. Four fatalities. | | 29.11.41 | Wellesley x2 | | | The two aircraft were inbound from Heliopolis. One crashed in the sea; the crew was saved. Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 11.12.41 | B. Blenheim | 107 | | Three aircraft are dispatched to attack Argostoli but leader suffered engine trouble, all three aircraft returning to Malta. Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 11.12.41 | M. Maryland | 69 | AR750 | Belly landing at Luqa. | | 13.12.41 | M. Maryland | 69 | AR751 | Overshot runway at Luqa. | | 13.01.42 | DH Mosquito PR1 | 69 | W4062 | Stalled and crashed following engine failure. Scource: http://www.planetrace.co.uk/1940-1949_28.html. | | 15.01.42 | M. Maryland | 12 SAAF/39 | AH288 | Collided with bomb trolley, blowing up. | | 24.01.42 | F. Albacore | | | Aircraft was being ferried from North Africa to Malta, but never arrived, presumed crashed in the sea. Two fatalities. | | 09.02.42 | | 249 | | Aircraft crashed during a test flight. One fatality. Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 11.02.42 | H. Hurricane | | | Aircraft on an intruder raid on Comiso. Forced to return to Ta’ Qali due to a vibrating engine. Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 15.02.42 | M. Maryland | | AR725 | Crashed on ferry flight to Malta. | | 22.02.42 | M. Maryland | 21 | | Two aircraft take-off one a mission, but are forced to return due to a hatch blowing off. Departed again but were attacked by Me-109s and forced to return to Luqa. Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 22.02.42 | V. Wellington | | | Forced to return due to engine oil problems. Continued with mission after repairs were effected. Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 23.02.42 | F. Albacore | 830 | | Three Albacores take-off from Hal-Far on a night-time anti-ship bombing sortie. One of the Albacores crashed after take-off, no fatalities. Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 24.02.42 | M. Maryland | 69 | AH397 | Crashed on landing. | | 03.03.42 | H. Hurricane | Malta Night Fighter Unit | | Aircraft suffered engine failure, pilot managing to bail out. Aircraft crashed and burnt out. Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 03.03.42 | M. Maryland | 69 | | Aircraft was an SF 2A patrol, but was forced to return to Malta early due to engine problems. Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 03.03.42 | V. Wellington | | | Aircraft arrived from Gibaltar. Overshot the extension of the runway at Ta’ Qali. No damage reported. Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 05.03.42 | | Night Fighter Unit | | Aircraft crashed at Ta’ Qali airfield after the undercarriage collapsed on landing. Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 05.03.42 | V. Wellington | 37 | Z9038 | Collided during an air raid with DV483 (below) on the runway at RAF Luqa, both aircraft bursting into flames. Bombs & mines on board both aircraft One aircraft was taking off, the other was taxying on the same runway in the opposite direction, but report doesn’t state which aircraft was taxying/taking off. At least three fatalities.
Four RAF Luqa personnel were awarded the George Medal for their actions in trying to save the aircraft’s crews. The citation in the London Gazette reads:
“One night in March, 1942, two aircraft, carrying bombs, collided on an aerodrome in Malta and burst into flames. Squadron Leader Hill (the station medical officer), Flight Lieutenant Williams and Leading Aircraftmen Boarman and Sumray immediately proceeded to the scene. Shortly afterwards the bombs began to explode and enemy aircraft began to bomb the area. Despite the great danger, Squadron Leader Hill, assisted by Flight Lieutenant Williams and the two airmen, successfully extricated four members of the crews from the wreckage. The prompt and gallant action of these officers and airmen undoubtedly saved the four lives. Squadron Leader Hill has invariably performed exemplary work in dealing with casualties during heavy bombing raids and both he and Flight Lieutenant Williams have set a magnificent example which has done much to maintain a high standard of morale on the station. The bravery shown by Leading Aircraftmen Boarman and Sumray has been an inspiration to others.” Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 05.03.42 | V. Wellington | 37 | DV483 | See above. Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 12.03.42 | F. Swordfish | | | The three aircraft left to attack a merchant vessel and destroyer in the vicinity of Pantelleria, which had been sighted by an Albacore. Swordfish were forced to return when the leader developed engine trouble. Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 14.03.42 | F. Swordfish x2 | 830 | | The two aircraft were dispatched to attack enemy shipping. Forced to return early due to engine trouble, but report doesn’t make clear whether it was one or both aircraft. (see below.) Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 14.03.42 | F. Albacore x5 | | | The five aircraft were dispatched to attack enemy shipping, but two aircraft were forced to return early due to engine trouble. The rest of the formation made a thorough search of the area indicated and confirmed no shipping in locality. Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 18.03.42 | F. Swordfish | | | Aircraft had been on a shipping search with another Swordfish and two Albacores without success. Aircraft crashed on landing at Malta, no injuries/fatalities. Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 21.03.42 | S. Spitfire x7 | | | These seven aircraft were meant to take off from the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle as the escorting Blenheim didn’t show up. Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 23.03.42 | F. Albacore | | | Aircraft was on a shipping search but nothing sighted. Due to bad weather, the aircraft landed in the sea. Three crew, two fatalities. Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 25.03.42 | F. Albacore | | | The Royal Navy aircraft was on a shipping search mission east of Malta without reporting any sightings. Aircraft crashed on landing at Malta, no fatalities. Source: www.Maltagc70.com | | 30.03.42 | B. Blenheim | | | Aircraft was on a delivery flight to the Middle East. Departed RAF Luqa at 01:10, but failed to arrive at its destination. Presumed lost at sea, cause of crash unknown. | | 31.03.42 | L. Hudson | | V9025 | On a delivery flight to the Middle East via Gibraltar and Malta. Stalled on the approach to runway, four fatalities. | | 04.04.42 | V. Wellington | | BB512 | Being delivered by OADU. Collided on the flare path with Wellington and Z8575 of 1443 Flight from Harwell. See "Additional Information" below. |
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Additional information
I have received the following information from Mr. Teasdale about this incidence.
I was compelled to visit Malta a few years after my father died in 1992 because I knew he had served with the RAF throughout WWII in and around the Mediterranean and North Africa.
I did spend some time speaking with staff at the (Malta Aviation) museum and I recall leaving my father's flying log book for a few days so that they could record anything of interest, which they did and returned the log safely back to me before I returned to the UK.
It appears from the flying logbook that after lengthy training in the UK, the BB512 story began on 27th March 1942 at FTF (RAF) Harwell UK. My father was assigned to 37 squadron RAF. As an air gunner, he crewed BB512 with a Sgt. Pearce as the pilot. Of course, the rest of the crew are unknown. I summarise the entries as follows;
27.03.42 15:50 Consumption test (2hrs 40mins)
28.03.42 12:00 Cross country and air firing (4hrs 20mins)
30.03.42 12:45 General test (0hrs 45mins)
01.04.42 11:00 Delivery flight to St. Eval (2hrs 10mins) This was in Cornwall I believe, now gone.
02.04.42 07:00 Delivery flight UK to Gibraltar (9hrs 05min)
04.04.42 13:00 Delivery flight Gibraltar to Malta (9hrs 07mins) (crashed into A/C on flarepath)
There is no indication which squadron would have received BB512, or that my father served with the OADU, but he was in 37 Squadron for the entire war with over 250 flying hours.
I have seen a record on your website of an incident on 4th April 1942 which coincides with contents of the log book. My father Sgt. J. R. Teasdale 1196412 was the rear gunner in BB512 which 'crashed into aircraft on flare path'. I recall that whilst he did not talk of the war for many years, at some point he did tell me that his plane 'landed on top of another one' (his words) and that he was stranded in Malta for a few weeks. I am sure he said that a court of inquiry took place in Cyprus, but I could be mistaken because there are no records of this. The incident in your record indicates that the collision was with Wellington Z8575. My father never mentioned the subsequent recorded incident on 5th April 1942 when an unspecified departing Wellington collided with the previous day's wreckage and was destroyed by fire. He must have known about this because he was there. The log shows that he left Malta in another Wellington ES991 on 14th April as passenger on a delivery flight to El Faioum.
He went on to see further action in North Africa, particularly Tobruk and El Alamein, and on 9th July 1942, his plane made a forced landing in the desert north of Birket Quarin. On 14th July yet another forced landing south west of Fuqa. Both were as a result of operations over Tobruk. He and his crew walked 160 miles through enemy lines, and contacted British troops on the 9th day. He was reported missing in action (my grandparents were informed by telegram), but once back with his unit, he was bestowed with the honour of member of the 'late arrivals club'. We still have his certificate and silver flying boot badge.
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| DATE |
AIRCRAFT |
SQDN |
SERIAL |
NOTES |
| 04.04.42 |
V. Wellington |
1443 Flight |
Z8575 |
Aircraft came in to land at Luqa without instructions colliding with Wellington BB512 on the flare path. One aircraft is pulled clear, but the other cannot be moved. |
| 05.04.42 |
V. Wellington |
|
DV519 |
Ran into the wreckage of one of the above Wellingtons at the side of the runway while taking off at 01:12 and was burnt out. One pilot wass injured. |
| 06.04.42 |
B. Beaufort |
|
AW298 |
Aircraft burst into flames after overrunning the runway after landing, crew killed. Source: www.Maltagc70.com. Air HQ Malta gives the 5th as date of accident. |
| 05.04.42 |
B. Beaufirt |
|
AW338 |
Went missing without any further information. |
| 07.04.42 |
Swordfish |
|
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“Special search” along Tunisian coast had to be abandoned after fuel pressure trouble was experienced. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 09.04.42 |
H. Hurricane |
|
|
Aircraft suffered engine failure after take-off from Hal-Far. Pilot manages to land at Safi strip on its undercarriage, but hits a wall, badly damaging the aircraft. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 10.04.42 |
L. Hudson |
|
AE524 |
Crashed on take-off on its way to the Middle East. One fatality, five seriously injured. |
| 11.04.42 |
L. Hudson |
|
V9175 |
Crash landed, no injuries. |
| 20.04.42 |
V. Wellington |
|
ES995 |
Aircraft crashed on landing. Not known if the crash was the result of combat or mechanical failure. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 20.04.42 |
S. Spitfire |
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American pilot had taken off from the USS Wasp, one of several Spitfires being delivered to Malta. Pilot altered course for North Africa, and belly landing on the Atlas Mountains. He contacted the US Consul, and, claiming he was a civilian pilot, was repatriated. |
| 20.04.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
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Flew off the USS Wasp, but crashed into the sea, probably due to running out of fuel. |
| 20.04.42 |
S. Spitfire |
PRU |
__907 |
Departed Gibraltar for Malta, never arrived. |
| 23.04.42 |
V. Wellington |
|
HF849 |
Departed for 108MU Missing, no further info. |
| 23.04.42 |
V. Wellington |
|
DV548 |
Departed for 108MU Missing, no further information. |
| 28.04.42 |
H. Hurricane |
229 |
|
Aircraft crashed during a test flight, catching fire. Pilot killed. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 30.04.42 |
S. Spitfire |
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Four aircraft from 126 squadron (RAF Luqa) and another four from 603 (RAF Ta’ Qali) are scrambled to engage an incoming raid. One of the Spitfires suffers from engine trouble and is forced to land at Luqa. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 01.05.42 |
L. Hudson Mk. III |
|
V9227 |
Aircraft crashed on landing. No injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 02.05.42 |
B. Beaufort Mk. I |
|
N1104 |
Aircraft, which had arrived from Gibraltar, crashed at Luqa during landing. No injuries, but aircraft a total write off. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 03.05.42 |
S. Spitfire |
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A Spitfire is airborne to conduct a cannon test. A second Spitfire was also airborne in a protective role, but which suffered damage on landing back at Luqa. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 03.05.42 |
L. Hudson |
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Aircraft, which had arrived from RAF Gambut, Libya, crashed on landing at Luqa. Aircraft written off, but no injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 03.05.42 |
V. Wellington |
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Aircraft suffered damage after crash landing at Luqa after arrival from Gibraltar. No injuries. See ”NOTES” section of entry below. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 03.05.42 |
V. Wellington Ic |
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Crashed on landing, no injuries. The A.H.Q. Malta ORB gives the serial numbers for two Wellingtons which crashed on landing for this day. These were HF839 and HF864. |
| 04.05.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
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Aircraft overshot the run way on landing after arrival from Gibraltar. Slight damage to the aircraft. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 04.05.42 |
V. Wellington |
HF861 |
|
Aircraft arrived from Gibraltar, but stalled on landing at Luqa and crashed. Aircraft written off, but no injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 05.05.42 |
S. Spitfire Vd |
PRU |
|
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 05.05.42 |
V. Wellington |
|
|
Aircraft taxied into a bomb crater, no injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 05.05.42 |
Wellington Mk. Ic |
|
|
Crashed on landing, no injuries. The A.H.Q. Malta ORB lists these two Wellingtons for the same date, DV540 (a Mk. Ic) and BD702 (a Mk. IIb). It is possible that one of these is the one listed above as taxying in a bomb crater. |
| 05.05.42 |
Wellington Mk. Ic |
|
|
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 06.05.42 |
H. Hurricane |
|
|
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 06.05.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
|
Aircraft airborne at 09:29 on a photo-reconnaissance mission over Italy and Sicily but returned at 09:34 with cockpit trouble. Airborne again at 11:00 but landed almost immediately due to engine trouble. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 06.05.42 |
Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BR112 |
Landed with undercarriage retracted, no injuries. |
| 09.05.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
|
Flew off the USS Wasp. Crash landed at Malta. One fatality. |
| 10.05.42 |
H. Hurricane IIc |
|
Z2982 |
Aircraft taxied into a bomb crater. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 11.05.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BP964 |
Collided with Spitfire BP991, pilot injured. Cause of collision unknown. |
| 11.05.42 |
S. Spitfire Vc |
|
BP991 |
Collided with Spitfire BP964, pilot injured. Cause of collision unknown. |
| 12.05.42 |
S. Spitfire Vc |
|
BP953 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 12.05.42 |
S. Spitfire Vc |
|
BR136 |
Collided with Spitfire BR350 during a scramble, no injuries to pilots. Level of damage to aircraft unknown. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 12.05.42 |
S. Spitfire Vc |
|
BR350 |
Collided with Spitfire BR136 during a scramble, no injuries to pilots. Level of damage to aircraft unknown. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 14.05.42 |
L. Lodestar |
|
|
Aircraft crashed on take-off, crew injured. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 17.05.42 |
V. Wellington Ic |
|
BB490 |
Aircraft crashed on take-off. No injuries . Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 18.05.42 |
F. Fulmar x6 |
|
|
17 Spitfires and six Fulmars were flown off the HMS Eagle and Argus. Whilst the seventeen Spitfires made it to Malta, the Fulmars experienced problems, and had to return to the carrier Eagle. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 18.05.42 |
F. Albacore x2 |
|
|
Four Albacores take off from Hal-Far to attack a convoy, but two are forced to return due to mechanical trouble. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 21.05.42 |
B. Beaufighter |
Malta Night Fighter Unit |
|
Airborne at 03:10 on patrol, but returns after 15 minutes with radio transmitter failure. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 24.05.42 |
V. Wellington II |
|
Z5554 |
The aircraft was on a delivery flight. Crashed on landing. Pilot killed, remainder of crew all suffered various injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 25.05.42 |
B. Beaufort |
|
|
Crashed on take-off, no injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 25.05.42 |
Beaufort Mk. I |
|
DD877 |
Crashed on take-off, no injuries. |
| 25.05.42 |
B. Blenheim V |
|
BA328 |
Aircraft is damaged during taxying, no injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 27.05.42 |
S. Spitfire V |
126 |
BP870 |
One of four scrambled to engage incoming enemy aircraft. One pilot is forced to return early due to oxygen trouble. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 27.05.42 |
B. Beaufighter |
|
|
Aircraft scrambled from Luqa to intercept enemy aircraft, but develops engine problems, with part of the propeller flying off. Pilot safely returns to Luqa. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 28.05.42 |
F. Albacore x3 |
|
|
Part of a formation two Swordfish and a fourth Albacore airborne from Hal-far to attack a convoy, these three aircraft had to return early with engine trouble. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 29.05.42 |
V. Wellington |
104 |
|
Aircraft was returning from a bombing mission over Sicily. Crashed over the village of Attard, shot down by anti-aircraft crews who mistook it for an enemy aircraft Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 30.05.42 |
V. Wellington Mk. II |
|
Z8582 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 30.05.42 |
V. Wellington |
104 |
|
Three aircraft sent on a bombing mission over Messina. One aircraft is forced to return with engine trouble. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 30.05.42 |
V. Wellington Mk. II |
|
Z8366 |
Returned from mission with engine trouble, crashed and burst into flames. Four fatalities, 2 injured. The A.H.Q. Malta ORB lists this Wellington as returning from a mission, not aborting i.e. abandoning the mission altogether. For this reason, it is listed as a separate entry. If anyone can prove whether these were two different accidents or not, this writer would be interested in hearing from them. |
| 31.05.42 |
S. Spitfire |
603 |
|
Aircraft falls into a bomb crater, breaking its back, no injuries to pilot. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 01.06.42 |
V. Wellington Ic |
|
HF845 |
Aircraft overshot runway on takeoff, no injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 01.06.42 |
Wellington Mk. IIc |
|
Z8513 |
Crashed in sea after operations, no injuries. Cause of crash unknown, i.e. if the result enemy action or not. |
| 01.06.42 |
Wellington Mk. IIc |
|
Z8357 |
Crashed on landing after a mission, no injuries. Cause of crash unknown, i.e. if the result enemy action or not. |
| 02.06.42 |
L. Hudson III |
|
FH302 |
One of seven that arrived from Gibraltar. Aircraft crashed on landing, no injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 03.06.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
|
Fifteen of the type delivered by RN aircraft carrier. This aircraft crashed on landing, breaking the undercarriage. (Another Spitfire was shot down when attacked by flight of Me-109s.) Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 04.06.42 |
H. Hurricane IIb |
|
BE110 |
Aircraft suffered from brake failure on landing, pilot safe. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 09.06.42 |
S. Spitfire Vc |
|
BP869 |
Aircraft crash landed on landing, no injuries. Not clear if this was one of 32 Spitfires flown off the carrier HMS Eagle. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 10.06.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
|
Pilot undershoots on landing at RAF Ta’ Qali, and crashes near the western dispersal area. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 12.06.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BR301 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 13.06.42 |
B. Beaufighter |
|
|
This Luqa-based aircraft had been testing its guns at Hal-Far. It crashed shortly after take-off after it stalled in a vertical bank during an attempt to shoot up the aerodrome. Aircraft came down on a car, killing both the driver and the aircraft’s crew. Not clear to this writer if the crash occurred at Luqa or Hal-Far. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 13.06.42 |
V. Wellington |
38 |
|
Two aircraft took off on a strike mission against a naval convoy in co-operation with other Wellingtons. Aircraft due to act as a flare carrier crashed on take-off, no injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 14.06.42 |
M. Baltimore Mk. I |
|
AG700 |
Aircraft crashed on landing from a mission. Cause of crash unknown, no injuries. |
| 15.06.42 |
B. Beaufort Mk. I |
|
DD975 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 15.06.42 |
B. Beaufort Mk. I |
|
AW377 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 15.06.42 |
S. Spitfire Vc |
249 |
BR126 |
Four aircraft airborne on convoy patrol, but forced to return early due to engine trouble. The Air H.Q. Malta ORB lists this aircraft as “crash landed due to a glycol leak”. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 15.06.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
|
Aircraft crashed at Luqa after returning from a photo-recce sortie over Taranto Harbour. Crash probably due to a burst tyre on take-off, no injuries. The Air H.Q. Malta lists another Spitfire crash landing on the 15th, BR364, a Mk. Vc. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 15.06.42 |
S. Spitfire |
603 |
|
One of eight airborne from Ta Qali on patrol, without making contact with the enemy. The undercarriage of one aircraft collapses on landing, no injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 16.06.42 |
S. Spitfire Vc |
603 |
BR198 |
Pilot landed without lowering the undercarriage, no injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 17.06.42 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
HF919 |
Aircraft crashed due to engine failure. Pilot safe, but crew suffered from various injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 19.06.42 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
HX376 |
Aircraft crashed during take-off, no injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 20.06.42 |
L. Hudson Mk. III |
|
FM248 |
Aircraft crashed on landing, one fatality, rest of crew suffered various injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 23.06.42 |
V. Wellington Mk. Ic |
|
HX451 |
Aircraft involved in taxying accident, no injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 23.06.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BP908 |
Aircraft crashed on take-off, no injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 23.06.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BP362 |
Aircraft crashed on landing, no injuries. No details if this was the same aircraft which had arrived from Gibraltar. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 25.06.42 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
HX372 |
Aircraft crash-landed, no injuries. This was probably one of three Wellingtons which arrived from Gibraltar, as only two departed for LG224. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 25.06.42 |
L. Hudson MK. III |
1444 Ferry Training Flt |
FH230 |
Crashed on landing in Malta due to engine failure. Two fatalities, rest of crew injured. Aircraft had arrived from Gibraltar, on delivery to Matruh, Egypt. Information courtesy of www.Maltagc70.com |
| 03.07.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BP564 |
Aircraft suffered engine failure in flight, pilot being forced to ditch in the sea, no injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 03.07.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BR465 |
Crashed on landing as a result of a glycos leak. Pilot injured. |
| 04.07.42 |
B. Beaufort Mk. I |
|
DD990 |
Crashed in sea in transit, cause unknown, crew missing. Cause of crash, whether mechanical or the result of enemy action. |
| 04.07.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BR414 |
Crash landed, no injuries. Cause of crash, whether mechanical or the result of enemy action. |
| 06.07.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BR845 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. Cause of crash, whether mechanical or the result of enemy action. |
| 08.07.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BR295 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. Cause of crash, whether mechanical or the result of enemy action. |
| 09.07.42 |
S. Spitfire |
249 |
|
Aircraft crashed at Ta’ Qali due to running out of fuel. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 11.07.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BR347 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. Cause of crash, whether mechanical or the result of enemy action. |
| 14.07.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BR379 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. Cause of crash, whether mechanical or the result of enemy action. |
| 15.07.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
|
A total of 32 Spitfires were to be flown off the carrier HMS Eagle in Operation Pinpoint. This aircraft crashed in the sea after getting airborne from the carrier. Pilot was rescued. The remaining 31 aircraft landed safely in Malta. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 15.07.42 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
HX391 |
Aircraft caught fire on landing, crew safe. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 17.07.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
EN954 |
Aircraft force-landed with engine failure, no injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 19.07.42 |
S. Spitfire |
249 |
|
Pilot felt ill when airborne on patrol and forced to return to base. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 19.07.42 |
S. Spitfire |
249 |
|
Pilot taxied into a hole, damaging the aircraft. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 19.07.42 |
S. Spitfire |
249 |
|
Pilot experienced undercarriage problems and returned early from patrol. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 19.07.42 |
S. Spitfire x2 |
249 |
|
Aircraft were airborne to provide air cover for an air sea rescue launch sent to pick up a pilot from the sea. Both aircraft had to return to base due to radio problems. Two 603 squadron Spitfires were scrambled to replace them. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 19.07.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BR305 |
Pilot overshot the runway, pilot suffering injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 20.07.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
AB264 |
On landing, the pilot’s seat slid forward, forcing the pilot to push the column forward, tipping the aircraft on its nose. Pilot wasn’t injured. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 21.07.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
|
On 2nd July, 32 Spitfires were shipped from the UK to Gibraltar. 30 of them were loaded on board HMS Eagle for delivery to Malta as part of Operation Insect. This particular aircraft developed defects which prevented from getting airborne. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 21.07.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
|
One of the 30 Spitfires delivered from HMS Eagle. This aircraft had a problem with its fuel system and ditched in the sea. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 23.07.42 |
H. Hurricane Mk. IIb |
|
Z2825 |
Aircraft crashed on landing due to engine failure, one fatality. |
| 26.07.42 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
T5138 |
Aircraft skidded on landing, no injuries. |
| 27.07.42 |
S. Spitfire x7 |
|
603 |
Eight Spitfires were scrambled to intercept enemy aircraft but seven were forced to return with engine problems. The remaining Spitfire didn’t make contact with the enemy. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 28.07.42 |
S. Spitfire x7 |
|
603 |
Eight Spitfires were scrambled to intercept enemy aircraft. This aircraft was forced to return with radio problems. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 28.07.42 |
S. Spitfire x7 |
|
603 |
Eight Spitfires were scrambled to intercept enemy aircraft. This aircraft was forced to return with engine problems. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 28.07.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
EP257 |
Flap failure on landing, no injuries. |
| 29.07.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BR115 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. Cause of crash, whether mechanical or the result of enemy action. |
| 29.07.42 |
Cant Z.506B |
Italian AF |
MM45432 |
This aircraft was transporting a Beaufort crew from Greece to Italy. When in the vicinity of Malta, the crew, Lt E. T. Strever (SAAF), Plt Off W. M. Dunsmore (RAF), Sgt J. A. Wilkinson (RNZAF) and Sgt A. R. Brown (RNZAF) of No. 217 Squadron, overpowered the Italian crew and landed at Malta. See Accident Report below. |
|
| |
|
|
|
Accident Report
Wing Commander Patrick Gibbs, DSO, DFC and Bar, gives additional details about this incident in his book Torpedo Leader on Malta pp 150-151.
During the attack Ted’s aircraft had been hit in the port wing. At first the damage appeared to be slight, but soon the port engine was showing unmistakable signs of imminent failure, and Ted, with no hope of completing the three hundred mile return flight, was left with no alternative but to turn back in an attempt to reach the Greek coast. In this he failed, being forced to alight on the sea some five miles from land, where he and his crew had remained floating in the dinghy for several hours before being picked up by an Italian flying boat. Then they were flown to a seaplane base, and after being questioned by some Italian Intelligence Officers were made surprisingly comfortable in the Mess, were they were warmly entertained. The description of the food and wine consumed that evening drew involuntary sighs from several rather hungry Malta defenders. Apparently the Italians, although friendly, had volunteered very little information, but I was interested to hear that not only were our aircraft mistaken for Blenheims, but our last attack was believed to have come from Egypt. From my point of view, the evening’s entertainment reached a climax when a message was delivered to the captured crew from no less a personage than an Italian Admiral, congratulating us on the execution of the attack! The playing of comic opera was, it appeared, still an Italian accomplishment.
The next morning the prisoners had been re-embarked in a flying boat which was to take them to Taranto for further interrogation. This aircraft was curiously under-staffed; in the cockpit two pilots shared the flying and navigation, supported by a Flight Engineer, while a single soldier guarded the four prisoners in the cabin.
Entertainment in Greece was one matter, the approaching interment in a prison camp in Italy quite another. Ted Strever was six feet tall and built in proportion, his wireless operator was of similar size and the rest of the crew capable of looking after their interests; but the guard had a gun of some sort. However the unfortunate Italian soldier had, it appeared, never flown before and soon fell a victim to air sickness, turning olive green beneath his southern tan and becoming very unhappy. The captives exchanged meaningful glances, Ted hit the Italian very hard and the gun changed hands. The plot of the comedy unfolded a step further when it was immediately found to be unloaded. With this omission rectified, further steps were taken which led towards the cockpit, and soon the pilot felt the gun‘s barrel pressed firmly against the back of his neck. All had then not proceeded quite smoothly, and the disagreeable situation which developed resulted in the necessity of knocking out the second pilot. For a short time afterwards Ted himself took over the controls, while his navigator tried to ascertain their position, but eventually the atmosphere became more amicable and the Italian pilot agreed to relieve Ted of the difficulties of coping with a strange collection of foreign instruments.
By this time the navigator had found his position to be in the Gulf of Taranto, and the pilot was persuaded to turn round and start the long flight southward down the two hundred mile stretch of Italian coastline. The crew, unthinking in the heat of action, became understandably nervous as the venture settled down to cold-blooded execution; not one of them relished the possibility of recapture and a reception which would certainly be less cordial than before. Anxiety was further increased by a complete ignorance of what demands might be made of them in the way of recognition signals, but after nerves had been frayed almost to breaking point it became apparent that the Italian markings on the aircraft were sufficient; Junkers 88s and ME109s passed within sight without showing any signs of suspicion, and the most southerly point of Sicily was reached with no more serious injury than several cases of near heart failure which had occurred when a ‘friendly’ Italian aircraft for a few minutes joined formation with the flying boat!
But the unknown dangers of the flight within sight of enemy territory seemed over-estimated when they came to be compared with the known perils of the approach to Malta, and relief at leaving behind the Sicilian coast turned to reasonable apprehension as the Island drew near. The most anxious moment of the whole flight occurred within sight of friendly land, when half a dozen Spitfires sighted the unescorted flying boat and dived to attack. The pilot had been flying in case of this very emergency, and on Ted’s orders landed promptly on the smooth sea, while white handkerchiefs were waved frantically in surrender. A horrible moment passed while the crew waited helplessly for the chatter of machine guns to break out over the roar the diving aircraft, but the Spitfire leader held his fire and disaster was averted. A launch sent out to capture what was thought to be a hostile aircraft brought Ted home triumphant with a captured flying boat in tow and three prisoners.
|
| |
|
|
|
| DATE |
AIRCRAFT |
SQDN |
SERIAL |
NOTES |
| 31.07.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BR562 |
Engine cut on landing, no injuries. |
| 03.08.42 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
HX532 |
Overshot on landing, no injuries. |
| 09.08.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
249 |
One of four that were scrambled without making contact with the enemy. This aircraft was “knocked sideways” on landing, resulting in the undercarriage leg collapsing. No injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 10.08.42 |
F. Albacore |
Navy Air Service |
|
Aircraft was returning from a failed mission to locate a submarine. Crashed on landing, aircraft being destroyed. No injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 10.08.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BR368 |
Unknown taxying accident, no injuries. |
| 11.08.42 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. I |
|
X7748 |
Crashed in sea as a result of engine failure. Cause of crash, whether mechanical or the result of enemy action. |
| 11.08.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
EP697 |
“Misjudgement on runway”, no injuries. |
| 11.08.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
|
38 Spitfires were to be flown off the carrier Furious as part of Operation Bellows. The carrier, along with Eagle and Indomitable was part of an escort for the convoy sailing to Malta as Operation Pedestal, known in Malta as the Santa Maria convoy.
One Spitfire develops mechanical problems and lands on Indomitable. Another Spitfire is slightly damaged on landing at Hal-Far.
It was on this convoy that Eagle was hit by four torpedoes and sunk. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 11.08.42 |
B. Beaufighter |
|
|
Aircraft suffered engine problems in flight and crashed into the sea, no injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 12.08.42 |
M. Maryland Mk. I |
203 |
AH364 |
Overshot landing at Luqa, due to a hydraulic system failure. No injuries. |
| 12.08.42 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. Vic |
|
T5143 |
Forced landed, no injuries. |
| 13.08.42 |
V. Wellington Mk. Ic |
|
DV542 |
Overshot runway and crashed. One fatality, rest of crew injured. |
| 13.08.42 |
B. Beaufighter |
|
248 |
One of four aircraft sent out on convoy patrol. This aircraft is damaged after failing to get airborne. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 13.08.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
|
Aircraft crashed on take-off, injuring the pilot. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 13.08.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
249 |
One of four aircraft on convoy patrol. Engine blew up in flight. Pilot baled, being picked up by rescue launch unhurt. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 13.08.42 |
B. Beaufighter |
|
|
Wing Commander Wyatt was observing the aircraft taking off from his car at night. Aircraft was forced to abort, and was turning back for another attempt. Pilot failed to see the car, the propeller ripping into the car. The Wing Commander was admitted to hospital with slight injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 13.08.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BR292 |
Aircraft crashed on landing, pilot injured. |
| 16.08.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
229 |
Aircraft was one of eight scrambled on a possible enemy raid, but made no contact. After landing, pilot taxied into a stationary Spitfire, damaging both aircraft, but no injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 16.08.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
229 |
Two aircraft on patrol. One develops radio and engine problems, both aircraft returning to Malta. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 16.08.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
|
Aircraft hit an obstruction on landing, injuring the pilot. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 16.08.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
185 |
Aircraft had undercarriage problems. Pilot uninjured. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 17.08.42 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
HF895 |
Crashed on airfield, no injuries. |
| 17.08.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BR842 |
Aircraft hit an obstruction on landing, no injuries. |
| 19.08.42 |
B. Beaufort Mk. I |
|
DD892 |
Forced landing as a result of engine failure, no injuries. |
| 20.08.42 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
X8034 |
Crashed in the sea for unknown reasons, one survivor, one missing. |
| 21.08.42 |
B. Beaufort Mk. I |
|
DW805 |
Crashed in sea because of engine trouble, one injured, rest of crew uninjured. |
| 21.08.42 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
X8063 |
Tyre burst, no injuries. |
| 21.08.42 |
B. Baltimore Mk. I |
|
AG751 |
Engine cut during landing, two injuries. |
| 21.08.42 |
B. Beaufighter |
Overseas Aircraft Delivery Unit |
|
Aircraft had departed Malta on delivery to the Middle East, when it developed engine trouble, the pilot electing to return to the island. Unable to maintain height, the pilot made a successful ditching the sea, the crew managed to exit the aircraft, eventually being rescued by High Speed Launch 128. |
| 22.08.42 |
H. Hurricane Mk. IIb |
|
EG770 |
Unknown accident on airfield, no injuries. |
| 24.08.42 |
B. Beaufort |
|
DD957 |
Aircraft tyre burst and crash landed, no injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 28.08.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BR488 |
Airscrew failure, crashed on landing, pilot injured. |
| 29.08.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vb |
|
EP196 |
Pilot overshot on landing, aircraft undercarriage sunk in a hole in the airfield. Level of damage unknown. No injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 01.09.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk.Vb |
|
__541 |
Aircraft tyre burst on take-off, being forced to crash land. No injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 01.09.42 |
B. Beaufighter |
|
V8263 |
Undercarriage collapsed on landing, no injuries to crew. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 01.09.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
|
Aircraft had gotten airborne from Hal-Far on an air test. Tyre had burst on take-off, and had to make a wheels-up landing. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 02.09.42 |
L. Hudson Mk. III |
|
V9230 |
Aircraft crashed and burnt out as a result of a tyre bursting during take-off. No injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 04.09.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
|
Seven Spitfires airborne from Hal-Far to conduct a sweep over Sicily. Formation leader developed radio problems, and broke formation to return to Malta. Due to a misunderstanding, the remaining six pilots followed him, abandoning the mission. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 04.09.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BR534 |
Force landed after experiencing engine trouble. No injuries. |
| 05.09.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
249 |
Aircraft was one of eleven scrambled to meet an incoming enemy formation. Pilot forced to return due to a blown hood. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 05.09.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
|
Spitfire entered into a spin at 3,000 feet, crashing into a field near Luqa, destroying the aircraft and killing the pilot. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 06.09.42 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
HX532 |
Ran off the runway during take-off, crashing into a Beaufighter X7832 . No injuries to crew. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 07.09.42 |
C. Catalina |
240 |
VA720 |
Test flown on after suffering damage from a water landing, but again suffered damage when landing after test flight. Arrival and eventual departure date unknown. |
| 12.09.42 |
B. Beaufort |
|
X8070 |
Aircraft swung off the runway during the take-off run. No injuries. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 13.09.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk.Vc |
|
BR374 |
Aircraft stalled and crashed, pilot killed. |
| 14.09.42 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
T-5107 |
Aircraft ran off runway during the take-off run, no injuries. |
| 14.09.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
__376 |
Tyre burst on take-off, no injuries. |
| 22/23.09.42 |
B. Beaufort |
|
39 |
One of nine aircraft, escorted by 7 Beaufighters of 227 squadron, to torpedo a 6,000-ton tanker, located 10 miles west of Antipaxos, Greece. This aircraft crashed into the sea after colliding with a Beaufighter. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 26.09.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vb |
|
EP701 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 26.09.42 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. I |
|
V8268 |
Engine failure, crew suffered various injuries. |
| 27.09.42 |
B. Beaufighter |
|
89 |
The aircraft was one of two which had to return early from a patrol to intercept enemy raiders. As they approached, the Island’s anti-aircraft positions were on ‘Guns Tight’, orders to shoot only at aircraft once they had been identified.
However, the guns covering the approach to Luqa airfield were still on ‘Guns Free’ – ready to fire at any aircraft.
Spotting an unidentified aircraft heading for Luqa, the gunners opened fire. The pilot took evasive action, turning away from the airfield and looping back to make another attempt at landing. But the aircraft had lost too much height and had to crash land, bursting into flames. The pilot escaped from the top hatch as Royal Artillery personnel rushed to the scene, managing to rescue the observer, who was badly burned. Despite suffering relatively minor burns the pilot died later in hospital from shock. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 27.09.42 |
Cant 100 |
|
|
Captured Italian aircraft. Performed test flight, but damaged float after landing when it collided with a launch. |
| 04.10.42 |
B. Beaufighter |
|
227 |
One of nine aircraft recalled from their mission to attack an enemy convoy, the Beaufighter lost engine power, ditching in the sea near the islet of Filfla, killing the pilot, with the observer managing to leave the aircraft.
Four similar aircraft from the same squadron, were sent to locate the ditched aircraft. The observer on one of the aircraft, seeing the observer struggling in the water, threw him his own dinghy and Mae West.
Meanwhile another of the aircraft developed engine problem and was forced to ditch in the sea, both crew members managing to exit the aircraft. All three men were rescued by high speed rescue launch. Source: www.Maltagc70.com |
| 28.10.42 |
V. Wellington |
Special Duties flight |
HX441 |
Crashed on landing at Luqa after several attempts. See below. |
|
| |
|
|
|
Accident Report
Not all of the aircraft lost during WWII were the result of enemy action. As this extract from Dennis Cooke’s article “The Flying in-mates of Luqa's poor house – 1942”, (Malta Flypast - 6) not everyone could handle the war in Malta. Ron Gillman, in his book The Ship Hunters – about his time in Malta with a Beaufort squadron – also makes reference to such servicemen, which could lead to them being charged with lacking moral fibre - cowardice in the face of the enemy!
With replenished fuel supplies our squadron was able to increase the number of anti-shipping strikes but the extra strain was having an ill-effect on many crews. With the stress of night flying, the constant daily bombing and poor diet our health was in jeopardy, Jim our second-pilot suffered a nervous breakdown and left the crew to be replaced by FI Sgt Rowe. The majority of our crew thought the skipper was heading the same way. We had lost confidence in him and this was confirmed on 28 October when in Wellington HX441 we took-off on a convoy strike.
Our Wimpy had been flying normally for over an hour when the skipper reported a loss of power from the port engine. He announced gravely that we were in danger of rapidly losing height and gave instructions to jettison our bomb-load and return to Luqa. Brian handed me a note giving our latitude and longitude position and calmly said:
"Send a distress signal". It was my first experience of transmitting an SOS message on 'ops' and I was overjoyed to get an instant acknowledgement from Malta.
We slowly lost height and were down to 200 feet when Malta loomed in sight. Viv hastily lowered the undercart and flaps and made a direct approach to Luqa airfield but was too high for a safe landing. A red flare shot up from the ground warning us to abort. Viv's second attempt was worse. He was still too high. He was losing control of himself and the aircraft when he made a third attempt to land. I was taking my turn in the rear turret at the time and was alarmed to see the runway disappearing behind us. After what seemed an age we finally overshot the runway and landed with a great thump before careering across rocky ground and finishing nose down in a shallow quarry. We were badly shaken, bruised, but not seriously hurt. The CO referred us to St Paul's Rest Centre for a few days to recover. Viv Hodnett was posted back to the U.K.
|
| |
|
|
|
| DATE |
AIRCRAFT |
SQDN |
SERIAL |
NOTES |
| 01.11.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vb |
|
EP138 |
Crash landed, pilot killed. |
| 06.11.42 |
B. Beaufort Mk. I |
|
L9802 |
Taxied into bomb crater, no injuries. |
| 06.11.42 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. I |
|
T4932 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 07.11.42 |
V. Wellington Mk. II |
|
Z8590 |
Crashed on land, crew killed. |
| 08.11.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vb |
185 |
EP609 |
Crashed at Hal-Far, pilot seriously injured. |
| 12.11.42 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. I |
|
T.5088 |
Overshot runway on landing, crew escaped without injury. |
| 12.11.42 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. I |
|
T.4986 |
Overshot runway on landing, crew escaped without injury. |
| 12.11.42 |
B. Beaufort Mk. I |
|
DE116 |
Aircraft crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 12.11.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BR387 |
Belly landed at Luqa, no injuries. |
| 13.11.42 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. I |
|
T4050 |
Crash landed at Luqa, no injuries. |
| 13.11.42 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
EL236 |
Crash landed at Luqa, no injuries. |
| 18.11.42 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
X8083 |
Crashed and collided at Luqa, no injuries. What it collided with is not known. |
| 19.11.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. V |
|
EP260 |
Crashed in sea following engine trouble, pilot missing. |
| 19.11.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BP952 |
Crashed in sea following engine trouble, pilot drowned. |
| 19.11.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vb |
|
EP823 |
Crashed in sea following engine trouble, pilot drowned. |
| 21.11.42 |
F. Swordfish |
|
V4587 |
Crashed in sea, crew rescued uninjured. |
| 21.11.42 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. I |
|
T5215 |
Crash landed on airfield, crew escaped without injury. |
| 22.11.42 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. I |
|
T5080 |
Crash landed on airfield, crew escaped without injury. |
| 23.11.42 |
F. Swordfish |
|
V4587 |
Crashed in sea following engine failure, crew rescued. |
| 26.11.42 |
M. Baltimore Mk. II |
|
AG827 |
Struck a vehicle on landing, no injuries. |
| 30.11.42 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
HX632 |
Crash landed, no injuries. |
| 01.12.42 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. I |
|
X7809 |
Crash landed due to engine failure, crew suffered slight injuries. |
| 02.12.42 |
V. Wellington Mk. II |
|
Z8659 |
Made a force landing, no injuries. |
| 03.12.42 |
V. Wellington Mk. Ic |
|
X395_ |
Bombs exploded during taxying, killing two crew members. |
| 05.12.42 |
M. Baltimore Mk. II |
|
AG937 |
Aircraft suffered engine failure, overshooting the airfield, no injuries. |
| 05.12.42 |
V. Wellington Mk. II |
|
W5582 |
Collided with another aircraft during landing, no injuries. |
| 06.12.42 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
HX572 |
Overshot aerodrome on landing, no injuries. |
| 07.12.42 |
V. Wellington |
|
HF887 |
Crashed on landing, killing two crewmen and 2 passengers, and injuring 3 crew and 4 passengers. |
| 07.11.42 |
H. Hurricane Mk. IIb |
|
Z2394 |
Forced landing, no injuries. |
| 11.12.42 |
M. Baltimore Mk. I |
|
AG734 |
Crash landed, no injuries. |
| 14.12.42 |
S. Spitfire |
|
BR662 |
Crashed in sea, pilot rescued uninjured. |
| 15.12.42 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. I |
|
X7759 |
Crash landed after undercarriage failed to lower, no injuries. |
| 16.12.42 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
AR565 |
Collided with Spitfire AR496 during landing, no injuries. |
| 16.12.42 |
S. Sunderland |
|
EJ136 |
Arrived from Gibraltar on delivery to the Middle East, but ordered to remain at Kalafrana. Airborne on anti-submarine patrol for a convoy on the 18th, but returned with engine trouble. Aircraft eventually left for Aboukir on the 29th. |
| 17.12.42 |
HP Halifax |
138 |
DT542 |
Aircraft landed at Malta on a transit flight from the Middle East. Took off for Gibraltar after re-fuelling carrying 11 military passengers. Crashed after take-off on open ground, limits of Zejtun. Flown by a six-man Polish crew. Crew and passengers killed. |
| 22.12.42 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
T4066 |
Crash landed, no injuries. |
| 25.12.42 |
V. Wellington Mk. Ic |
|
BV538 |
Force landed in the sea, cause unknown. Crew rescued, no injuries. |
| 27.12.42 |
DH Mosquito Mk. II |
|
DD691 |
Crash landed, crew uninjured. |
| 28.12.42 |
M. Baltimore Mk. II |
|
AG821 |
Aircraft overshot on landing, one injury. |
| 02.01.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. Ic |
|
HE107 |
Force landed, two crewmen slightly injured. |
| 08.01.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. I |
|
V8333 |
Crash landed, no injuries. |
| 08.01.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
HX511 |
Undercarriage collapsed on take-off, no injuries. |
| 08.01.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
HX561 |
Undercarriage collapsed on landing, no injuries. |
| 09.01.43 |
DH Mosquito Mk. II |
|
DZ237 |
Crashed on landing, crew killed. |
| 09.01.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. Ic |
|
HX446 |
Ditched in sea after running out of petrol. Crew rescued without injuries. |
| 10.01.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BP870 |
Crashed on landing, pilot suffered injuries. |
| 10.01.43 |
Co. B-24 Liberator mk. II |
|
AL547 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries to crew or passengers. |
| 11.01.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
AR464 |
Tyre burst on landing, no injuries. |
| 17.01.43 |
M. Baltimore Mk. II |
|
AG730 |
Undercarriage collapsed, no injuries to crew. |
| 17.01.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. I |
|
V8222 |
Tyre burst on landing, no injuries. |
| 17.01.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
T5112 |
Ditched in the sea following engine failure, crew rescued safely. |
| 17.01.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vb |
|
EP460 |
Ditched in the sea after running out of petrol. Pilot rescued. |
| 22.01.43 |
S. Sunderland |
|
EJ131 |
Aircraft had arrived from Gibraltar on 28.12.42, and like other crews, probably forced to remain in Malta for a while. Was conducting an anti-submarine patrol over friendly naval forces, but forced to return early due to engine problems on. Remained in Malta until 13.03.43, when it left for Cairo. |
| 25.01.43 |
DH Mosquito Mk. II |
|
DZ233 |
Unknown taxying accident, no injuries. |
| 28.01.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
X8080 |
Ditched in the sea following engine failure, no injuries. |
| 28.01.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vb |
|
EP691 |
Ditched in sea for unknown reasons, pilot rescued with injuries. |
| 30.01.43 |
S. Spitfire MK. Vc |
|
AR561 |
Bomb hung up, pilot baled out, rescued without injuries. |
| 01.02.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vb |
|
EP188 |
Crashed on take-off, no injuries. |
| 02.02.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
EL234 |
Undercarriage collapsed on landing, no injuries. |
| 03.02.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
LA990 |
Crashed landed as a result of engine failure. Injuries to crew and passengers. |
| 04.02.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BR107 |
Crashed in sea as a result of engine failure. |
| 05.02.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. I |
|
T5085 |
Undercarriage collapsed on landing, no injuries. |
| 08.02.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. I |
|
T3353 |
Undercarriage collapsed on landing, no injuries. |
| 13.02.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
HX726 |
Overshot on landing, crashing into a quarry. Five fatalities, one injury. |
| 14.02.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. I |
|
T4897 |
Crashed in the sea as a result of engine failure, crew killed. |
| 21.02.43 |
DH Mosquito Mk. II |
|
DZ232 |
Overshot on landing and crashed, no injuries. |
| 23.02.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
V8629 |
Brakes failed on landing, crashing into another aircraft, no injuries. |
| 25.02.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
HX686 |
Crashed on landing. Three injuries. |
| 01.03.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BR534 |
Crashed in sea following engine failure, no injuries. |
| 02.03.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
T2979 |
Overshot on landing, crew uninjured. |
| 03.03.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
HX768 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 03.03.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vb |
|
EP706 |
Crashed in sea, pilot rescued uninjured. |
| 03.03.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vb |
|
EP140 |
Crashed on landing, pilot suffered injuries. |
| 03.03.43 |
M. Baltimore Mk. I |
|
AG702 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 03.03.43 |
B. Beaufort Mk. II |
|
DD899 |
Crashed in sea, crew rescued, one injured. |
| 07.03.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. V |
|
BP932 |
Ended up in a quarry after overshooting runway, no injuries. |
| 10.03.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
HX511 |
Crashed on take-off, no injuries. |
| 16.03.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BR337 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 17.03.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
T5174 |
Force landed in the sea after engine failure, crew rescued uninjured. |
| 20.03.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
LB182 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 20.03.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BP571 |
Crashed in sea for unknown reasons, pilot rescued uninjured. |
| 23.03.43 |
M. Baltimore Mk. I |
|
AG726 |
Crashed on test flight, crew killed. |
| 24.03.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BP961 |
Crash landed, pilot injured. |
| 27.03.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
EP122 |
Crash landed due to engine failure, pilot injured. |
| 27.03.43 |
M. Baltimore Mk. II |
|
AG781 |
Crash landed due to engine failure, no injuries. |
| 29.03.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
X8074 |
Undercarriage collapsed n landing, no injuries. |
| 30.03.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vb |
|
EP436 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 31.03.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. I |
|
V8373 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 04.04.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
HF910 |
Crashed in sea for unknown reasons. Four crew members rescued uninjured. Two crew members and passenger missing. |
| 06.04.43 |
M. Baltimore Mk. II |
|
AG779 |
Crashed in Hudson on landing, two injuries. |
| 06.04.43 |
L. Hudson |
|
FK384 |
Crashed into by Baltimore. One killed, four injured. |
| 10.04.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. II |
|
T5169 |
Crashed for unknow reasons, crew injured. |
| 11.04.43 |
Co. B-24 Liberator |
|
124310 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 11.04.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vb |
|
EP716 |
Crashed in sea for unknown reasons, pilot missing. |
| 13.04.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
|
EN146 |
Swung on landing, crashing into Spitfire BR656, pilot injured. |
| 13.04.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IV |
|
BR656 |
Swung on landing, crashing into Spitfire EN146, pilot injured. |
| 14.04.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
LB142 |
Crashed in sea for unknown reasons. Four crewmen rescued, two missing. |
| 17.04.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
HX592 |
Crashed on take-off, no injuries. |
| 17.04.43 |
F. Albacore |
|
X9362 |
Crashed in sea following engine failure. Crew uninjured. |
| 21.04.43 |
M. Baltimore Mk. II |
|
AG506 |
Crashed in sea for unknown reasons, crew missing. |
| 23.04.43 |
DH Mosquito Mk. II |
|
DD681 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 25.04.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. XII |
|
MP599 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 25.04.43 |
S. Walrus |
ASR & Comm Flt |
W3012 |
Crashed with wheels up, serviceable by 7th May. |
| 27.04.43 |
DH Mosquito NF Mk. II |
23 |
DD681 |
Undercarriage collapsed after swinging on landing, DBR. |
| 03.05.43 |
F. Albacore |
|
BF676 |
Forced landed in the sea due to engine failure. Crew slightly injured. |
| 04.05.43 |
M. Baltimore Mk. I |
|
AG725 |
Crashed on take-off, crew killed. |
| 06.05.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
|
Engine failure following glycol leak, aircraft crashed in sea, pilot rescued uninjured. |
| 06.05.43 |
Co. B-24 Liberator |
|
AL561 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 06.05.43 |
Co. B-24 Liberator |
|
4240112 |
Crashed in sea for unknown causes. One missing, one injured, eight uninjured. |
| 08.05.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
EL521 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 08.05.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
EL529 |
Crashed in sea due to fuel shortage, crew reported missing. |
| 09.05.43 |
M. Baltimore Mk. II |
|
AG937 |
Crashed on take-off, no injured. |
| 10.05.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
EL234 |
Hit by explosion of its own bomb during practice. Crashed in sea, crew killed. |
| 11.05.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. I |
|
T5085 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 12.05.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
EP709 |
Bomb fell off and exploded as aircraft was landing. No injuries. |
| 12.05.43 |
S. Walrus |
Air Sea Rescue Flt. |
P5718 |
Practice "pick-up", locating a dinghy, landing (on water) to do the pickup. On take-off, the pilot swung the aircraft damaging port float and wing tip, and having to taxi to Kalafrana. |
| 13.05.43 |
S. Walrus |
Air Sea Rescue Flt. |
P5718 |
Aircraft was being used for circuit training, which had to be curtailed because of engine trouble. |
| 21.05.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vb |
|
EP842 |
Crashed in sea due to engine failure. Pilot baled out, rescued uninjured. |
| 22.05.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. X |
|
HE765 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 23.05.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
JL646 |
Undercarriage collapsed on landing, no injuries. |
| 29.05.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
|
EN551 |
Collided with lorry after landing, no injuries. |
| 31.05.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
EL531 |
Stalled on landing, undercarriage collapsed, no injuries. |
| 31.05.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. X |
|
HX175 |
Tyre burst on landing, no injuries. |
| 01.06.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vb |
|
ES313 |
Pilot baled out after aircraft suffered unknown engine failure, rescued. |
| 02.06.43 |
V. Wellington Mk.Ic |
|
AD603 |
Crashed on landing due to burst tyre, no injuries. |
| 03.06.43 |
B. Beaufort |
Air Sea Rescue Flt. |
DW836 |
Had to abandon SAR due to engine trouble. On air tested on 10th. |
| 05.06.43 |
DH Mosquito NF Mk. II |
23 |
DZ702 |
Crashed on landing due to engine failure on approach, two fatalities. |
| 06.06.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
EL472 |
Aircraft in sea for unknown reason, crew killed. |
| 08.06.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
ER914 |
Unknown taxing accident, no injuries. |
| 10.06.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
|
__204 |
Crashed into stationary Spitfire during its take-off run, pilot injured. |
| 10.06.43 |
DH Mosquito FB Mk.VI |
23 |
HJ677 |
DBR after suffering engine failure on landing, swinging and hitting an obstruction. |
| 12.06.43 |
B. Beaufort Mk. II |
|
DD943 |
Swung on take-off and crashed, no injuries. |
| 14.06.43 |
B. Beaufort |
Air Sea Rescue Flt. |
DW836 |
Circuit landing training had to be abandoned due to oil pressure gauge trouble. Repaired by 16th, but u/s again the same day when fire extinguisher shorted and operated. |
| 16.06.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. X |
|
HE647 |
Crashed on landing and burnt out. Crew escaped without injuries. |
| 18.06.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
ES355 |
Force landed in the sea for unknown reasons, pilot missing. |
| 22.06.43 |
DH Mosquito Mk. II |
|
DZ230 |
Overshot on landing, no injuries. |
| 23.06.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. VIII |
|
JF352 |
Missing from an air test, pilot missing. |
| 27.06.43 |
DH Mosquito Mk. VI |
|
HJ738 |
Crash landed, no injuries. |
| 27.06.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vb |
|
JK230 |
Crash landed, no injuries. |
| 28.06.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
|
EN519 |
Unknown taxying accident, no injuries. |
| 30.06.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
JK345 |
Involved in collision Spitfire JK103 during its take-off run, no injuries. |
| 30.06.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
JK103 |
Hit by Spitfire JK345 (above) during its take-off run, no injuries. |
| 04.07.43 |
S. Walrus |
Air Sea Rescue Flt. |
W3012 |
Aircraft was to fly Monastir to escort four Stinson a/c to Malta via Lampedusa. Had to return to Malta to have accumulators changed as electrician had left the radio filaments switched on all night. Returned on the 6th. |
| 04.07.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vb |
|
ER716 |
Crashed on take-off no injuries. |
| 04.07.43 |
DH Mosquito |
|
HK130 |
Crash landed after engine failure. No injuries. |
| 04.07.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
|
EN481 |
Undercarriage collapse after landing, no injuries. |
| 07.07.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
LZ871 |
Mid-air collision with JK104. Pilot baled out and rescued, no injuries. |
| 07.07.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
JK104 |
Mid-air collision with LZ871. Crash landed, but no injuries. |
| 07.07.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. II |
|
MP594 |
Port tyre burst on take-off, pilot made a belly landing, no injuries. |
| 09.07.43 |
H. Hurricane IIc |
73 |
HV135 |
Aircraft was one of nine that had been sent to Malta on 08.07.43 on a temporary detachment to shoot up searchlights in Sicily. Pilot issued a distress call some 15 miles from Malta when returning from a mission. Nothing else was heard from the pilot. |
| 09.07.43 |
H. Hurricane IIc |
73 |
HW242 |
One pilot circled over Malta before disappearing. He was eventually spotted in his dinghy from a Baltimore aircraft on the 18th. |
| 09.07.43 |
DC-3 |
267 |
FD774 |
Ditched 40 miles SSE of Malta. |
| 10.07.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vb |
|
ER585 |
Overshot runway on landing, no injuries. |
| 10.07.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vb |
|
ER706 |
Pilot ran out of fuel over the sea. Pilot baled out and rescued, no injuries. |
| 10.07.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
|
EN402 |
Port undercarriage leg failed to lock down on landing. No injuries. |
| 11.07.43 |
M. Marauder |
|
|
Crash landed at Safi, one US crew member taken to sick quarters. |
| 11.07.43 |
Cu. Kittyhawk Mk. II |
|
FL293 |
Flew into slipstream of proceeding aircraft and crashed, no injuries. |
| 12.07.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
JG771 |
Force landed due to shortage of petrol, no injuries. |
| 12.07.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
V8886 |
Force landed in the sea. Pilot rescued, but observer missing. |
| 12.07.43 |
Cu. Kittyhawk Mk. III |
|
FR514 |
Crashed in sea following a mid-air collision with FR510, pilot missing. |
| 12.07.43 |
Cu. Kittyhawk Mk. III |
|
FR510 |
Crashed in sea following a mid-air collision with FR514, pilot rescued uninjured. |
| 12.07.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. II |
|
HZ308 |
Pilot overshot on landing, no injuries. |
| 13.07.43 |
Cu. Kittyhawk Mk. III |
|
FR784 |
Overshot on landing and overturned in a quarry, no injuries. |
| 13.07.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
JK672 |
Unknown taxying accident. |
| 13.07.43 |
DH Mosquito FB Mk. VI |
60, SAAF |
HJ672 |
Undercarriage collapse at Luqa, written off. |
| 13.07.43 |
DH Mosquito FB Mk. VI |
60, SAAF |
HJ673 |
Undercarriage collapse at Luqa, written off. |
| 14.07.43 |
DH Mosquito NF Mk. II |
23 |
HJ724 |
Undershot landing, hitting a pole. Written off. |
| 14.07.43 |
DH Mosquito Mk. VI |
|
HJ728 |
Undershot and made a belly landing. Crew uninjured. |
| 14.07.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vb |
|
JK186 |
Unknown accident during take-off. |
| 17.07.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
JL125 |
Engine failure in flight, pilot baled out. |
| 19.07.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. PRXIT |
|
MB786 |
Unknown taxying accident. |
| 22.07.43 |
D. Boston |
|
|
Aircraft crashed into the sea, shortly after taking off from Hal-Far. Walrus aircraft from the Air Sea Rescue unit airborne within ten minutes, but crew had already been picked up by a fishing boat crew. |
| 23.07.43 |
S. Sunderland |
|
JM673 |
Aircraft arrived for repairs at Kalafrana on. Departed on 08.08.43 but forced to return with engine trouble. Departed again on the 9th. |
| 23.07.43 |
D. Boston Mk. III |
|
HK873 |
Aircraft crashed after tyre burst during take-off, two fatalities, one injury. |
| 25.07.43 |
S. Walrus |
Air Sea Rescue Flt. |
R6558 |
Aborted SAR after getting airborne on due to technical problems, replaced by W9506. |
| 26.07.43 |
S. Sunderland |
|
W4021 |
Aircraft arrived for repairs at Kalafrana on. Departed to Bizerta on 04.08.43 but forced to return with engine trouble. Departed again on the 5th. |
| 30.07.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VIc |
|
EL499 |
Aircraft crashed after undercarriage collapsed during take-off, crew survived. |
| 30.07.43 |
D. Boston Mk. III |
|
Z2222 |
Aircraft made a belly-landing after tyre burst during take-off, no injuries. |
| 31.07.43 |
F. Albacore |
|
BF678 |
Aircraft crashed after undercarriage collapsed during landing. No injuries. |
| 01.08.43 |
S. Sunderland |
|
EJ143 |
Aircraft arrived for repairs to its hull. Departed for Alexandria on 01.09.43 but forced to return with engine failure. Attempted to depart again on the 4th at 06:15 but again forced to return with engine problems. Tried departing again the same day at 09:54, but was again forced to return with engine problems. Finally departed on the 16th. |
| 02.08.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
JL758 |
Crashed into the sea after attacking a schooner and hitting a mast. Crew missing. |
| 03.08.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
|
MA300 |
Undershot runway on landing, pilot injured. |
| 03.08.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. XII |
|
MP537 |
Engine failure in flight, crashed in sea. Crew rescued by HSL (high Speed Launch), two injuries. |
| 04.08.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. XII |
|
HF114 |
Tyre burst on take-off, aircraft crashing. No injuries. |
| 07.08.43 |
S. Walrus |
Air Sea Rescue Flt. |
W2757 |
Air-sea rescue to pick up downed 185 squadron Spitfire pilot, but pilot was unable to take-off in 5-6 foot glassy swell, forced to taxi back to Kalafrana, arriving there after 4 hours and 20 minutes. Spitfire pilot was suffering from slight burns. This was the first actual rescue carried out by the flight. Take-off had been at 08:07, entry at Kalafrana at 13:10. |
| 09.08.43 |
Baltimore IIIA |
21 Sqdn, SAAF |
FA173/P |
Aircraft was to be ferried by a No.4 ADU (Aircraft Delivery Unit) crew to 216 group, Libya, for an engine change. Aircraft stalled and crashed on take-off from Hal-Far. Three fatalities. |
| 12.08.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk IXe |
|
__520 |
Crashed in sea after engine failure. Pilot rescued unharmed. |
| 14.08.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
V8871 |
Engine caught fire in flight. Crew rescued after bailing out. |
| 15.08.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. VIII |
|
LB225 |
Crashed and burnt out after overshooting on landing. One of fire crew killed, three injured by exploding depth charges. |
| 16.08.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
TM819 |
Crashed after engine cut during landing, pilot injured. |
| 17.08.43 |
D. Boston Mk. III |
|
HE869 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 18.08.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
JG882 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 18.08.43 |
Spitfires |
1435 |
|
Aircraft crashed at Safi strip, no further details. |
| 18.08.43 |
Spitfires |
1435 |
|
Aircraft crashed at Safi strip, no further details. |
| 19.08.43 |
B. Beaufighter |
272 |
|
Diverted from RAF Luqa force to Safi Strip due to engine failure. |
| 28.08.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
__385 |
Forced landed following engine trouble, no injuries. |
| 29.08.43 |
DH Mosquito Mk. XII |
|
HK160 |
Undercarriage collapsed after pilot taxied into a hole. |
| 02.09.43 |
M. Baltimore Mk. IV |
|
FA456 |
Collided with Spitfire EN507 on the approach. Crew killed. |
| 02.09.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. XI |
PRU |
EN507 |
Collided with Baltimore Mk. IV FA456 on the approach. Pilot killed. |
| 02.09.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. XI |
PRU |
HD772 |
Crashed on landing after starboard undercarriage failed to lock down. No injuries. |
| 02.09.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. XI |
|
HF804 |
Overshot on landing, no casualties. |
| 07.09.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. XI |
|
MP653 |
Undershot on landing due to port engine trouble, no injuries. |
| 09.09.43 |
DH Mosquito Mk. VI |
|
KJ739 |
Starboard tyre burst on take-off, leading the aircraft to crash on landing. |
| 10.09.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. VIII |
|
JF419 |
Aircraft tipped on nose whilst landing, slight injuries to pilot. |
| 12.09.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. XI |
|
EN678 |
Starboard undercarriage wheel collapsed on landing, no injuries. |
| 13.09.43 |
S. Spitfire |
PRU |
EN674 |
Overshot on landing, no injuries. |
| 13.09.43 |
S. Spitfire |
PRU |
|
Hit by another aircraft taking-off. |
| 15.09.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
|
EN456 |
Ground looped in order to stop aircraft over shooting, no injuries. |
| 18.09.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
JK616 |
Starboard undercarriage wheel collapsed on landing, no injuries. |
| 01.10.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
EF555 |
Hit top of pen wall on landing, pilot suffered serious injuries. |
| 01.10.43 |
V. Wellington |
Air Sea Rescue Flt. |
DV561 |
Aircraft was to transport six Naval Staff officers to Taranto but engine suffered a large magneto drop, postponing take-off by two hours. After take-off, engine trouble forced a diversion to Gerbini, the staff officers continuing by DC-3. On returning to Malta, the aircraft was placed as unserviceable. |
| 02.10.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. II |
|
MP397 |
Force landed in the sea, no injuries, crew rescued by naval craft. |
| 06.10.43 |
DH Mosquito Mk. VI |
|
HJ788 |
Port tyre burst during take-off, no casualties. |
| 09.10.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
JK391 |
Undercarriage collapsed during landing, pilot injured. |
| 17.10.43 |
|
|
|
Roof of dispersal hut at Ta Qali blown away by strong wings on, ruining everything inside. |
| 19.10.43 |
S. Walrus |
Air Sea Rescue Flt. |
Z1813 |
SAR on cancelled because of undercarriage trouble, aircraft returned to service on the 21st. |
| 19.10.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
|
EN523 |
Engine cut during take-off, pilot killed. |
| 22.10.43 |
S. Walrus |
Air Sea Rescue Flt. |
Z1779 |
Early morning recce landed in St. Paul's Bay with engine trouble, caused by water in petrol. Problem solved, and crew tried taking off in the afternoon, but hull and port float were so water logged take off was impossible. Aircraft taxied to slipway and out of the water for the night.
Crew returned on the 23rd, were the hull and float was drained, enabling takeoff. Aircraft placed as unserviceable to enable inspection to be carried out. |
| 24.10.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. XIII |
|
HZ754 |
Crashed during take-off, cause unknown. One fatality, the remaining crew members suffered various injuries. |
| 24.10.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
JK122 |
Pilot collided with a bowser whilst taxying, no injuries. |
| 25.10.43 |
S. Walrus |
Air Sea Rescue Flt. |
Z1813 |
Early morning recce but returned with engine problems. Problem solved, aircraft being air tested the same afternoon. |
| 26.10.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
RF615 |
Crashed on landing, killing the pilot. |
| 27.10.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
JK529 |
Ran off runway, no casualties. |
| 28.10.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
JM887 |
Brakes failed on landing, no injuries. |
| 30.10.43 |
DH Mosquito Mk. VI |
|
HX813 |
Crashed on take-off, crew escaped. |
| 07.11.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
JK820 |
Unknown taxying accident, no casualties. |
| 11.11.43 |
S. Walrus |
Air Sea Rescue Flt. |
Z1813 |
Took off for sea water recce but returned after 10 minutes with undercarriage lock problems. |
| 13.11.43 |
|
|
|
Flying cancelled at Ta Qali on due to adverse weather. |
| 15.11.43 |
DH Mosquito Mk. VI |
|
HK858 |
Swung off end of runway in bad visibility, no casualties. |
| 16.11.43 |
S. Walrus |
Air Sea Rescue Flt. |
P5718 |
Sea recce on but had to return with u/c problems. |
| 18.11.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
ES345 |
Unserviceable flaps led to aircraft overshooting on landing, pilot uninjured. |
| 21.11.43 |
DH Mosquito Mk. XII |
|
HK116 |
Undercarriage collapsed after the aircraft swung on landing, no injuries. |
| 21.11.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
|
EL50_ |
Undercarriage failed to lockdown for landing, no injuries. |
| 23.11.43 |
M. Baltimore Mk. IV |
|
FA513 |
Crashed on take-off, crew survived. |
| 25.11.43 |
Mosquito Mk. XII |
|
HK114 |
A C-47 taxied into this aircraft, which was stationary, without crew. |
| 30.11.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. XI |
|
JN231 |
Port tyre burst on landing, no injuries to crew. |
| 02.12.43 |
M. Baltimore Mk. IV |
|
FA506 |
Aircraft crashed on landing due to strong crosswinds, no injuries. |
| 06.12.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
JG955 |
Oleo leg broke on landing, no injuries to pilot. |
| 13.12.43 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. IVF |
|
KV929 |
Crashed at Luqa due to engine failure, one serious injury. |
| 17.12.43 |
V. Wellington Mk. XIII |
|
HZ962 |
Crashed on landing, no injuries. |
| 19.12.43 |
Blenheim Mk. V |
|
EH312 |
Aircraft ran into soft ground on landing, no injuries. |
| 20.12.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
|
EN482 |
Burst tyre on take-off, no injuries. |
| 21.12.43 |
B. Blenheim Mk. V |
|
BA950 |
Burst tyre on take-off, no injuries. |
| 22.12.43 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
|
BF533 |
Tail oleo strut collapsed on landing no injuries. |
| 23.12.43 |
M. Baltimore Mk. IIIA |
|
FA119 |
Port undercarriage failed to lock down for landing, pilot performed a belly landing, no injuries. |
| 28.12.43 |
DH Mosquito FB Mk. IV |
256 |
DZ357 |
Missing off Malta on an air test. One occupant, missing. |
| __.01.44 |
B. Beaufighter |
|
|
Aircraft was up on an air test. At 4,000 feet, the pilot stopped and feathered the starboard engine and propeller. After some turns, the aircraft lost considerable height, and at 1,500 feet, the pilot attempted to unfeather the propeller, without success. The aircraft continued to lose height, eventually ditching into the sea. Prior to ditching, the navigator switched the I.F.F. to distress, and opened the hatch.
After the aircraft came to a stop, the aircraft began filling with water. The navigator climbed out on to the wing. The passenger exited the aircraft through the front hatch without his Mae West, followed by the pilot. The navigator and passenger attempted to help the pilot out of the aircraft, but by this time, the aircraft had rapidly filled with water, and slid beneath the waves, nose first, taking the pilot and passenger down with it.
From the navigator’s report, the pilot hadn’t given adequate warning of his intention to ditch the aircraft and therefore a proper ditching procedure wasn’t carried out. The passenger drowned, because he wasn’t wearing his Mae West, despite instructions that Mae Wests are to be worn at all times.
The navigator got into his dinghy and looked around for the pilot and passenger, without success. He was rescued by a fisherman’s boat after twenty minutes.
It is not known if this is the same aircraft reported on 13.01.44, but with the crew being listed as missing. |
| 07.01.44 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
229 |
EN468 |
Crashed on landing after engine failed, killing pilot. |
| 09.01.44 |
H. Hurricane Mk. IIc |
87 |
KW961 |
Engine failure led to pilot making a belly landing, no injuries. |
| 13.01.44 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. IVF |
108 |
ND144 |
Crashed into the sea for unknown reasons, crew missing. |
| 16.01.44 |
V. Wellington Mk. XIII |
221 |
HZ590 |
Starboard engine failed on take-off, making a belly landing, crew escaped any injuries. |
| 17.01.44 |
BP Defiant TT Mk. I |
728 RN |
DS133 |
Written off in heavy landing at Ta’ Qali. |
| 24.01.44 |
M. Baltimore Mk. IV |
69 |
FA626 |
Port tyre burst on take-off, no injuries. |
| 24.01.44 |
V. Wellington Mk. XIII |
458 |
MP704 |
Aircraft crashed in to the sea after engine failure. Three crewmen rescued, three others missing. |
| 28.01.44 |
Caproni 100 |
Air Sea Rescue Flt. |
GA-2 |
Aircraft damaged both wing tips on landing at Hal-Far due to high winds. |
| 28.01.44 |
V. Wellington Ic |
|
LB213 |
Aircraft was on a Search & Rescue mission when it had to return to Malta after 40 minutes due to engine problems. Landed at Luqa at 04:00, the pilot taking off for ta’ Qali at 09:20. |
| 05.02.44 |
|
|
|
Bad weather, almost gale force winds, cancelled flying at Hal-Far. Hangar roof torn off, but no damage to aircraft. Same on 6th, but slightly better. |
| 05.02.44 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
229 |
JK848 |
Unknown taxying accident. |
| 07.02.44 |
Fairchild Argus |
Malta Communications Flight |
FS613 |
Engine cut out during take-off, no injuries. |
| 10.02.44 |
S. Walrus |
Air Sea Rescue Flt. |
Z1813 |
Departed for Sicily on delivery to D.A.F. (Advanced) but returned after ten minutes at 11:25 with u/s A.S.I. & V.H.F. Departed again at 14:00. |
| 18.02.44 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
87 |
JK763 |
Struck obstruction on take-off, pilot slightly injured. |
| 25.02.44 |
V. Wellington Mk. XIII |
221 |
JA270 |
Port tyre burst on landing, no injuries. |
| 25.02.44 |
H. Hurricane Mk. IIc |
221 |
KZ884 |
Damaged port main plane on landing, no injuries. |
| 28.02.44 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
185 |
JK650 |
Port oleo leg collapsed on touch down, no injuries. |
| 28.02.44 |
P. Proctor Mk. I |
Malta Communications Flight |
P6116 |
Starboard undercarriage collapsed on landing, no injuries. |
| 01.03.44 |
BP Defiant TT Mk. I |
728 RN |
DS156 |
Dived into sea out of cloud. One fatality. |
| 03.03.44 |
B. Beaufighter |
108 |
KV970 |
Damaged stern frame whilst being towed. |
| 05.03.44 |
A. Anson |
Air Sea Rescue Flt. |
MG751 |
Departed for Catania but forced to return after 45 minutes due to weather. |
| 08.03.44 |
B. Beaufighter |
108 |
KW157 |
Aircraft swung off flare path during night take-off from Luqa. Hit two Wellingtons, bursting into flames, killing the crew. |
| 08.03.44 |
V. Wellington |
221 |
HZ880 |
Burnt out after being crashed into by Beaufighter KW157. |
| 08.03.44 |
V. Wellington |
221 |
JA378 |
Damaged after being crashed into by Beaufighter KW157. |
| 09.03.44 |
A. Anson |
Malta Comm. Flight |
MG751 |
Aircraft was on the daily “Sicily run”. Sitting at dispersal at Catania airport, one of the tires burst, a spare tire & tube being delivered by Argus FS651. Anson returned to Malta on the 12th. |
| 14.03.44 |
DH Mosquito Mk. XII |
108 |
HK127 |
Crew suffered slight injuries after a take-off was abandoned. |
| 19.03.44 |
S. Spitfire |
Air Sea Rescue Flt. |
BR498 |
Departed for Catania at 11:00 but returned after 20 minutes with VHF trouble, leaving again at 11:30. |
| 22.03.44 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
185 |
BP866 |
Swung off runway when landing at Hal-Far due to structural failure. No injuries. |
| 27.03.44 |
Wellington X |
Air Sea Rescue Flt. |
HZ181 |
Departed for Pantalleria but returned with engine trouble. |
| 29.03.44 |
Wellington X |
Air Sea Rescue Flt. |
HE539 |
Crashed at Pantalleria after arriving from Malta. |
| 29.03.44 |
V. Wellington Mk. XIII |
221 |
HZ980 |
Belly landing after tyre burst during take-off, no injuries to crew. |
| 14.04.44 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vb |
137 MU |
ES143 |
Pilot failed to remove pitot head cover and run up before attempting to take-off from Safi. Throttled back but ran out of runway. No injuries. |
| 17.04.44 |
B. Beaufighter MK.VI |
108 |
ND276 |
Aircraft crashed when in the circuit for Luqa, following the failure of the starboard engine. Two crew, one passenger killed. |
| 19.04.44 |
V. Wellington Mk. XIV |
458 |
HF243 |
Aircraft flew into ground near Luqa. Four fatalities, 2 injuries. |
| 19.04.44 |
V. Wellington Mk. XIV |
458 |
HF288 |
Starboard undercarriage collapsed on landing at Luqa. No injuries, pilot cleared of any blame. |
| 19.04.44 |
V. Wellington Mk. XIV |
458 |
HF343 |
Pilot undershot at Luqa, being forced to land in strong crosswinds with a faulty starboard engine. |
| 23.04.44 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
|
EN196 |
Pilot overran runway after flap-less landing due to flap failure. |
| 24.04.44 |
V. Wellington Mk. XIV |
458 |
MP799 |
Tyre burst on take-off, starboard undercarriage collapsed, no injuries. |
| 02.05.44 |
DH Mosquito NF Mk.XIII |
108 |
HK418 |
Pilot overshot runway, after making a single engine landing on the starboard engine at Luqa. Two fatalities. |
| 06.05.44 |
DH Mosquito Mk. XIII |
108 |
MM443 |
A.S.I. failure resulted in a heavy landing, bursting the port tyre in the process. No injuries. |
| 06.05.44 |
DH Mosquito Mk. VI |
108 |
HJ728 |
Port undercarriage collapsed after landing with a u/s A.S.I. No injuries. |
| 06.05.44 |
DH Mosquito Mk. XIII |
108 |
HK511 |
Stalled on landing at Luqa with an A.S.I. failure. No injuries. |
| 11.05.44 |
V. Wellington Mk. XIV |
458 |
HF362 |
Overshot at Luqa, no injuries. |
| 13.05.44 |
V. Wellington Mk. XIV |
458 |
HF353 |
Overshot at Luqa, no injuries. |
| 17.05.44 |
V. Wellington |
ASR & Comm Flt |
AD650 |
Starboard undercarriage collapsed whilst taxying. |
| __.06.44 |
NA P-51 Mustang |
|
|
Aircraft was on a flight from Poltava, Ukraine, to Foggia, Italy was intercepted by 185 squadron S. Spitfires and guided to Malta, after losing his way and was heading towards Malta. The Mustang landed with very low fuel levels. |
| 04.06.44 |
S. Spitfire Mk. V |
185 |
JG955 |
Tail oleo broke after heavy landing at Hal-Far, no injuries. |
| 11.06.44 |
V. Warwick Mk. I |
283 |
BV231 |
Undercarriage collapsed due to a tyre burst when landing at Hal-Far. No injuries. |
| 18.06.44 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. VI |
108 |
KV934 |
Crashed on take-off from Luqa, being burnt out in the process. Crew killed. |
| 30.06.44 |
A. Anson |
Malta Communication Flight |
MG683 |
Aircraft had departed for Sicily, but forced to return due to engine problems. |
| 04.07.44 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
185 |
JK122 |
Undercarriage collapsed on landing, no injuries. |
| 13.07.44 |
B. Beaufighter Mk.VI |
108 |
KW202 |
Crashed into the sea whilst practice firing, crew killed. |
| 28.07.44 |
B. Beaufighter |
108 |
ND201 |
Crash landed at Safi strip on a test flight from Hal-Far. Safi strip had closed down on 08.11.43. |
| 04.08.44 |
V. Warwick I |
283 |
BV526 |
Blast from a depth charge during a practice drop damage the fuselage and elevators. |
| 18.08.44 |
S. Spitfire IX |
1435 flt. |
JL180 |
Belly landing due to undercarriage no being lowered. No injuries. |
| 21.08.44 |
L. Ventura V |
27 (SAAF) |
R_891 |
Swung on take-off, aircraft being burnt out. All five crew suffered injuries. |
| 24.08.44 |
V. Warwick I |
283 |
BV280 |
Aircraft forced to ditch after losing both engines. Four crew, I fatality, 2 injured. |
| 27.08.44 |
L. Ventura V |
27 |
FP639 |
Swung on landing, no injuries. |
| 02.09.44 |
V. Warwick I |
283 |
BV310 |
Excessive oil leak on port engine, which seized up. |
| 08.09.44 |
S. Spitfire Vc |
Malta Comm. Flight |
JK230 |
Aircraft airborne on a metrological flight. Upon returning for landing, the pilot was unable to lower the undercarriage, and a belly landing had to be carried out. No injuries. |
| 11.09.44 |
V. Warwick I |
137 MU |
BV526 |
Aircraft caught fire after the starting of the port engine, without any apparent defect. No injuries. |
| 13.09.44 |
L. Ventura V |
27 SAAF |
JS935 |
Missing during a night-time convoy escort duty between 12/13th. No known reason for disappearance, crew missing. |
| 16.09.44 |
S. Spitfire Vc |
335 Hellenic AF |
ER208 |
Undercarriage collapsed as aircraft became airborne. Pilot made a circuit and a belly landing, no injuries. |
| 30.09.44 |
M. Baltimore V |
137 MU |
FW489 |
Pilot retracted the undercarriage too quickly after take-off, the aircraft sinking back onto the runway. No injuries, aircraft repairable. |
| 03.10.44 |
M. Baltimore Mk. IV |
|
FA466 |
Crashed at Castelvetrano (Sicily) whilst in transit Naples-Malta. Complete write off, no injuries. |
| 04.10.44 |
H. Hurricane |
ASR & Comm Flt |
KZ845 |
Damaged whilst landing. |
| 15.10.44 |
Av. Anson Mk. I |
Malta Communications Flight |
MG683 |
Unable to lower undercarriage, no injuries. |
| 17.10.44 |
L. Ventura Mk. V |
27 SAAF |
FP585 |
Swung on take-off, damage to undercarriage, fuselage, propellers, tail unit and starboard wing tip. No injuries. |
| 25.10.44 |
L. Ventura |
27 SAAF |
JS949 |
Tail wheel caught in hole while taxying, stern post and tail centre section torn off. No injuries. |
| 14.11.44 |
L. Hudson Mk. III |
RAF Comm. Flt. |
FK749 |
Failure of starboard undercarriage after landing. Damage to starboard main plane, propeller and rudder. No injuries. |
| 19.11.44 |
D. Dakota III |
267 |
KG965 |
Aircraft damaged by three-ton truck which was reversing into freight door to unload cargo. No injuries. |
| 25.11.44 |
BP Defiant TT Mk.1 |
727 FRU |
AA576 |
DBR (Damaged Beyond Repair) after a forced landing following engine failure. |
| 02.12.44 |
DH Mosquito NF.XIII |
4 Fu |
HK434 |
Missing on a ferry flight to Italy. |
| 06.12.44 |
V. Wellington |
|
|
Aircraft was being ferried from UK to India by a Yugoslav crew. Swung on take-off, hit one of the old aircraft pens, crashed into a quarry, and was totally destroyed by fire. No fatalities or injuries. |
| 16.12.44 |
V. Warwick |
11 Ferry Unit |
HG290 |
Caught fire on take-off from Luqa, and burnt out. Crew suffered from burns. |
| 04.01.45 |
V. Warwick Mk. I |
283 |
HF966 |
Burnt rubber joint allowed oil to leak, leading to the engine seizing up at Hal-Far. |
| 24.01.45 |
D. Dakota III |
216 |
FL599 |
Starboard engine failure on the ground, requiring an investigation. |
| 26.01.45 |
DH Mosquito NF.XIII |
256 |
HK511 |
Undercarriage leg collapsed on landing at Hal-Far. Written off. |
| 01.02.45 |
A. York C.1 |
|
MW116 |
Navigational error resulted in aircraft missing Malta, and ditching in the sea. 12 fatalities. |
| 07.02.45 |
V. Warwick |
283 |
BV241 |
Starboard engine bearer attachment stays sheared during taxying at Hal-Far. |
| 10.02.45 |
S. Spitfire |
Malta Communication Flight |
JK777 |
Engine cut when landing at Hal-Far. |
| 09.03.45 |
A. York Mk. I |
511 |
MW137 |
Tail fairing, tail wheel shock absorber and fuselage attachments damaged. |
| 09.03.45 |
A. York Mk. Ic |
Met. Comm. Flt. |
MW101 |
No.2 Port inner engine failure in flight. No injuries, landed safely at Luqa. |
| 02.04.45 |
F. Barracuda Mk. II |
812 FAA |
PM865 |
Pilot made a heavy landing at Hal Far. Port side of centre section severely strained by the shock transmitted from the undercarriage. |
| 02.04.45 |
F. Barracuda Mk. II |
812 FAA |
PM744 |
Pilot made a heavy landing at Hal Far. Starboard side of centre section severely strained by the shock transmitted from the undercarriage. |
| 04.04.45 |
A. York Mk. Ic |
511 |
MW127 |
No.1 engine failure in flight, caused by a breakdown of scavenge system internally. Heavy metal deposits found in filters. |
| 05.04.45 |
D. Dakota III |
525 |
FL649 |
Excessive oil consumption, metal found in sump filter. Failure of scavenge system – bearing failure of starboard engine. |
| 09.04.45 |
D. Dakota III |
216 |
FO833 |
Slight damage to leading edge of starboard mainplane, but repairable. |
| 10.04.45 |
V. Warwick Mk. I |
283 |
BV510 |
Undercarriage failure to heavy jolt from the previous landing attempt at Hal-Far. Airframe , fuselage, underside port and starboard undercarriage torn off. Port mainplane spar bent. Stern frame twisted. Both propeller blades damaged. Both engines shock loaded. |
| 16.04.45 |
V. Warwick Mk. I |
283 |
BV450 |
Port undercarriage wheel axle bearing cup bolts sheared from a miss landing at Hal-Far. False spar buckled in centre starboard undercarriage twisted. |
| 16.04.45 |
CV Corsair Mk. IV |
1850 FAA |
DK269 |
Starboard undercarriage collapsed. |
| 02.05.45 |
A. York Mk. Ic |
511 |
MW114 |
Constant Speed Unit failed on No. 4 engine. |
| 05.05.45 |
DH Mosquito Mk. XXV |
614 |
KB570 |
Tail wheel failed to lock down landing at Hal-Far. Damage to tail wheel and rear fuselage. |
| 07.06.45 |
B. Beaufort |
|
|
Crashed 2 miles North West of Ghajn Tuffieha, having taken off from ta Qali. Two survivors picked up immediately by local fishermen, third crewman remained trapped inside. |
| 21.06.45 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vc |
Malta Communication Flight |
JK777 |
Flaps failed on the approach to Hal-Far. Pilot overshot damaging propeller and air scoop. |
| 21.06.45 |
S. Spitfire |
M.C.F. |
JK777 |
Aircraft airborne on a metrological flight, the flaps becoming u/s. In the ensuing high speed landing, the aircraft ended up on its nose at the end of the runway, necessitating an engine change. First recorded flight after incident being on 9th July. |
| 25.06.45 |
DH Mosquito |
|
|
Crashed into the sea, 40 miles north east. The crash was witnessed by a ASR pinnace and arrived on the spot of the crash after twenty minutes. A dead crewman was recovered. Second crewman never recovered. |
| 26.06.48 |
V. Warwick I |
283 |
BV436 |
Universal holding down plate for engine bearer stays found to be fractured during ground inspection at Hal Far. |
| 26.06.45 |
A. York Mk. I |
511 |
MW122 |
No. 3 engine GSU failure. |
| 28.06.45 |
NA B-24 Liberator Mk. VIII |
614 |
KG955 |
No. 2 engine GSU failure. |
| 01.07.45 |
B. Beaufighter Mk. TF.10 |
No. 1 FU |
RD710 |
Air intake fire on starboard engine. |
| 02.07.45 |
S. Spitfire |
M.C.F. |
ER136 |
Aircraft returned from a met. flight with a glycol leak, necessitating an engine block change. |
| 10.07.45 |
D. Dakota Mk. IV |
187 |
KN381 |
Starboard wing tip damage by ground vehicle. |
| 11.07.45 |
V. Warwick Mk. 1 |
283 |
BV462 |
Miss landing on training at Hal-Far. Both undercarriage wheels torn off, underside front fuselage and bomb bay buckled in, and severe damage to both props. |
| 23.07.45 |
M. Baltimore Mk. V |
137 MU |
FW612 |
Underside fuselage rear portion tail wheel assembly torn away from mounting at RAF Safi. |
| 23.07.45 |
V. Wellington Mk. XIV |
38 |
NC771 |
Swung on take-off, damaging underside rear fuselage and stern frame. |
| 24.07.45 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
73 |
MH550 |
Pilot undershot on landing at Hal-Far with damage to port mainplane, undercarriage, tail oleo and prop. |
| 26.07.45 |
V. Warwick Mk. I |
283 |
BV457 |
Damage to outer port engine bearer strut discovered on ground at Hal-Far. |
| 26.07.45 |
A. Anson |
Malta Communication Flight |
PH569 |
Luggage door opened during engine run-up at Hal-Far. Port propeller splintered after hitting the door. |
| 30.07.45 |
A. York Mk. I |
511 |
MW122 |
No. 1 engine glycol leak. |
| 30.07.45 |
V. Wellington X |
M.C.F. |
LN387 |
Aircraft departed for Catania on the daily “Sicily run”, but returned after 10 minutes with engine trouble. The same aircraft took-off in the afternoon, but couldn’t lower the undercarriage. Captain decided to return to Hal-Far, and after several orbits, managed to lock down the undercarriage, making a safe landing. First recorded flight on 6th August. |
| 31.07.45 |
V. Warwick |
12 Ferry Unit |
HG130 |
Oil leak on port engine. |
| 31.07.45 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
73 |
PT896 |
Accidental detonation of incendiary bomb leading to damage to top starboard side of frame, electrical leads, and front longeron subjected to intense heat. |
| 09.08.45 |
V. Warwick Mk. I |
137 MU |
BV457 |
Swung on take-off, shearing off the undercarriage, and extensive damage to port main plane and both propellers. |
| 20.08.45 |
S. Spitfire Mk. Vb |
Malta Communication Flight |
ER136 |
Aircraft swung round by gale winds at Hal-Far, and striking starter trolley, needing rudder replacement. |
| 24.08.45 |
V. Warwick Mk. I |
283 |
BV396 |
Aircraft swung on take-off, moving engine bearers, dummy spar buckled and attachments sheared. |
| 27.08.45 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
73 |
PL281 |
Belly landing at RAF Qrendi due to hydraulic problems, damaging airframe, underside of main planes and propellers. |
| 05.09.45 |
V. Warwick |
38 |
BV388 |
Port and starboard back stay bearers attachment failure at Luqa. |
| 14.09.45 |
DH Mosquito |
255 |
TA431 |
Aircraft landed downwind at Hal-Far, damaging starboard propeller, undercarriage and nacelle. Starboard engine shock loaded. |
| 16.09.45 |
Ju-52 |
|
|
Ditched 30 miles north west of Malta. Seven survivors. This was probably a French machine. |
| 19.09.45 |
B. Beaufighter |
|
|
Pilot baled out and was picked up by naval craft on exercise in the area. Cause of accident unknown. |
| 18.10.45 |
V. Wellington X |
135 MU |
MF133 |
Taxied off runway on to soft ground and tyre burst; swung and tipped over. |
| 21.10.45 |
V. Wellington X |
2 Ferry Unit |
NC532 |
Went missing on a ferry flight from Benina Libya to Malta. No cause of crash was established or wreckage/crew members ever found. |
| 17.11.45 |
|
|
|
Luqa was u/s between 0800-1200z on for repairs to runways intersection. |
| 19.11.45 |
DH Mosquito B.25 |
162 |
KB468 |
Swung on take-off and undercarriage collapsed; caught fire; 1 killed. |
| 22.11.45 |
DH Mosquito NF.19 |
255 |
TA128 |
Overshot runway at Hal-Far during single engine landing. Starboard engine shutdown due to a 20mm cannon shell having ricocheted from the hard ground during target practice, and entered the starboard radiator. |
| 26-30.11.45 |
|
|
|
Luqa again between 0700-0700Z for repairs to main runway (24/06). |
| __.01.46 |
A. York |
|
|
Captain reported engine trouble, 125 miles southwest of Malta. Escorted to Luqa by a 255 squadron DH Mosquito. |
| 30.01.46 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
73 |
MN552 |
Pilot direct to park on steel meshing covering supposedly firm lava rock at RAF Catania. Heavy rain had undermined the rock formation, consequently the weight of the aircraft caused the meshing to collapse, damaging propeller tips. |
| 02.02.46 |
|
|
|
All aircraft bound for the UK were recalled due to bad weather. |
| 25.02.46 |
H. Tempest VI |
|
NX255 |
Aircraft was being ferried UK-Fayid. Departed w/Tempest NX131 escorted by Mosquito RG308. Engine cut out at 8,000ft, pilot rescued 8.5 hours later by HMS Virago. |
| 27.02.46 |
Liberator |
37 |
|
Aircraft flew from Egypt to Algeria on the 26th. Departed the following day, but forced to divert to Malta due to Castel Benito (Libya) being unserviceable. Departed Malta on the 28th. |
| 15.03.46 |
V. Warwick |
283 |
BV464 |
Crashed in a marsh just outside RAF Elmas, Sardinia, after suffering a loss of power in port engine. |
| 21.03.46 |
DH Mosquito FB.26 |
No. 1 Ferry Unit |
KA181 |
c/s FKDD Undercarriage collapsed after swinging on take-off. Aircraft completely burnt out in the ensuing fire, no injuries. |
| 23.03.46 |
A. York |
|
|
c/s OYCL. Damaged it undercarriage during take-off. As the aircraft was fully loaded, the captain decided to circle round Malta to burn up fuel, but as he would have to make a belly landing, he was re-directed to Castel Benito, Libya. |
| 24.03.46 |
DH Mosquito FB.6 |
1 FU |
TE692 |
Swung on landing and undercarriage collapsed. |
| 26.03.46 |
V. Wellington |
765, RN |
HZ470 |
Crashed after losing power on starboard engine during takeoff from Hal-Far. |
| 04.04.46 |
DC-3 |
Royal AF |
KJ864 |
Aircraft had arrived from Algiers, flight number 337. There was the following note about one of the passengers.
Mr Lamb Frank left Malta by an aircraft of Communications Flight on the 1st April 1946. His departure was not reported neither to the police nor at this office. Communications have been duly warned by Transport police to report all ______ departures and arrivals. |
| 05.04.46 |
V. Wellington X |
765, RN |
HE274 |
Airborne from Hal-Far, cashed onto the village of Rabat. Four crew, 16 civilians dead, 12 injured. |
| 08.04.46 |
Anson C.12 |
Air Ministry |
PH696 |
Overshot landing; swung off runway and undercarriage collapsed. |
| __.04.46 |
DC-3 |
Royal AF |
__491 |
Went u/s at Istres, France. Replaced by __416, which arrived from the same airfield on the 12th as UL145. |
| 11.04.46 |
|
|
|
On the instigation of Transport Command, Luqa airfield is placed unserviceable for four-engine aircraft due to the unevenness of the runways. |
| 13.04.46 |
|
|
|
Re-surfacing of runway 14/32 begins, and continue until November. Runway is officially opened on 1st December. |
| 15.04.46 |
DH Mosquito FB.6 |
No. 1 Ferry Unit |
TE762 |
Brake failure on landing, aircraft ended up in a quarry, on the Mqabba side of the airport. Crew suffered slight injuries. A quarry worker, startled by the noise, also fell in the quarry, suffering some leg injuries.
From the 38 squadron’s ORB: “Although it was a total wreck both pilot and navigator escaped without injuries, as they were strapped in securely. This is now figuring prominently as an example in the Pilots Order Book.”
The Aviation Safety Network gives the 15th as date of crash. 38 squadrons’ ORB mentions the 16th. |
| 18.04.46 |
V. Wellington X |
M.C.F. |
LN387 |
A trip to Pomigliano was cancelled after 30 minutes due to very high oil temp in starboard engine. First recorded flight on the 27th. |
| 04.06.46 |
V. Wellington & Warwick |
38 |
|
These two aircraft were scrambled from Malta to assist in a search for an Anson aircraft of 284 Wing Communications Flight, which lost height over the Libyan waters near Castel Benito. The Warwick dropped a life boat for the crew and remained orbiting overhead until the life boat was ashore. This was the first operational drop by 38 squadron. |
| 09.06.46 |
DH Mosquito PR.34 |
540 |
RG289 |
Swung on take-off, ground-looped, with the undercarriage collapsing. No injuries, and emergency services were able to extinguish the fire. |
| 10.06.46 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
137 MU |
MH430 |
Took off from Luqa. On the return, the wind freshened to 10 mph from the SW, creating a cross wind for 14-32 (24-06 being closed for repairs). Made two approaches, but on the second approach, the wheels struck the runway. The undercarriage light went out, and the selector lever was jammed. Pilot flew over to Hal-Far, making a low pass close to the tower for undercarriage inspection, which appeared to be fully down. The pilot made a slow approach touching down as lightly as he could. After a landing roll of around 100 yards, the port wheel collapsed, followed by the starboard wheel, sliding to a stop. No injuries. |
| 12.08.46 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
73 |
MA848 |
Pilot experienced undercarriage problems, forcing a flight to Sicily to be cancelled. Wheels “down” light did not function. After a flypast past the Ta Qali control tower, who confirmed the undercarriage look all right. Pilot landed on the starboard oleo leg, but after 400 yards, the port oleo gave way, forcing the aircraft to swing violently to port, shearing the starboard leg. No injuries. |
| 19.08.46 |
|
|
|
Pilot, based on HMS Ocean bailed out 10 miles South-East of Malta. Picked up by ship. |
| 28.08.46 |
A. Anson |
|
|
“68TC” (c/s?), returned to Luqa with starboard engine trouble. |
| 31.08.46 |
V. Wellington Mk.10 |
Malta Communication Flight |
LP805 |
Throttle lever broke off on take-off; pilot swung into ditch to avoid quarry. |
| 03.09.46 |
DH Mosquito |
|
|
Aircraft crashed after takeoff from Hal-Far. Two fatalities. Crewed by Fleet Air Arm pilots. |
| 14.09.46 |
A. York |
|
|
Due to an outbreak of small pox in Libya, York aircraft started landing at Luqa instead of Castel Benito |
| 15.09.46 |
A. York |
|
|
c/s “OYRT”, returned to Luqa with engine trouble. |
| 19.09.46 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
73 |
|
Aircraft overran runway, ending up on its nose. |
| 29.09.46 |
A. York |
|
|
c/s “OYBS”, departed for Almaza, Egypt, but forced to return due to bad weather. |
| __.09.46 |
M. Baltimore |
|
|
Aircraft, meant to be scraped, was used in a fire-fighting drill. |
| 01.10.46 |
A. York |
|
|
c/s ‘OYBO’. Departed for Egypt, but was forced to return to Luqa due to bad weather. |
| 03.10.46 |
A. York |
|
|
c/s “OYFAW”. Departed for Lyneham at 0910 losing all contact with Luqa. Returned after 20 minutes with R/T and W/T u/s. |
| 07.10.46 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
73 |
_____/T |
Spitfire was u/s with a wrinkled fuselage. The aircraft had been left-wing heavy, and possibly written off. |
| 14.10.46 |
A. York |
511 * |
|
Aircraft was making a second attempt at landing, overshooting the runway. Pilot managed to swing the tail, hitting a wall, damaging the fin.
* Information from RAF Luqa ORB. According to a Wikipedia article, 511 disbanded as a York squadron on 7 October.
|
| 20.10.46 |
A. York |
|
|
c/s ”OYBL”, captain reported aircraft on fire 20 miles from Luqa. Made a safe landing with the fire under control. |
| 25.10.46 |
Av. Lancaster |
37 |
|
Aircraft, carrying spares from Almaza to Treviso, was forced to divert to Malta due to bad weather, departing the following day. |
| 09.11.46 |
|
|
|
“FGLJ” reported flying on one engine only at 1450Z. Landed at Hal-Far at 1625Z. |
| 02.12.46 |
Avro York C.1 |
511 |
MW268 |
Aircraft was on its second attempt to land. Undercarriage collapsed, aircraft making a belly landing on the old runway 27 . Other aircraft were diverted to Hal-Far.
* Information from RAF Luqa ORB. According to a Wikipedia article, 511 disbanded as a York squadron on 7 October.
|
| 08.12.46 |
C-54 |
KLM |
NL-310 |
Scheduled to land for re-fuelling, but also suffered from an “engine defect”. |
| 08.12.46 |
A. York |
|
MW271 |
Pilot made a three-engined landing. One engine shut down due to a suspected unserviceable oil pressure gauge. |
| 09.12.46 |
A. York |
|
MW207 |
Pilot made a three-engined landing. Outer port engine had to be shut down due to excessive oil leak. |
| 16.12.46 |
DC-4 |
|
NL-304 |
c/s PNTAF from Almaza to Ciampino landed at Luqa at 0720Z due to engine problems. |
| 18.12.46 |
Avro Lancaster |
49 |
PA450 |
One of 19 Lancasters staging through RAF Luqa on their way to Shallufa in Egypt to take part in Exercise 'Sunbronze', a regular task for Bomber Command units, enabling crews to acquire tropical experience. Described as having a “ground accident through running forward while a fitter was running the engines”. Returned to service a few days later. |
| 20.12.46 |
|
|
|
Request received from Istres requesting news about Halifax MOHLVW. Informed that aircraft had been delayed at Malta. Departed on the 21st at 11:30Z but had to return with engine trouble. Departed again the same day at 13:05Z. |
| 23.12.46 |
DH Mosquito |
|
TE872 |
Pilot was escorting 8 fighter aircraft but failed to make contact with Malta. |
| 23.12.46 |
|
|
|
Violent storm hit Malta. RAF Luqa forced to shutdown to enable runways to be cleared of oil drums and sheets of corrugated metal sheets. Airfield Control van blown over, occupant suffering bruises and shock. Luqa C.O.’s and Flight Engineers offices had their roofs torn off. At Hal-Far, a hangar, in the process of being erected was blown down, and a Walrus aircraft was moved, damaging its tail. |
| 23.12.46 |
S. Spitfire |
|
EN199 |
Well-secured at Park 2, it was lifted by strong winds during a storm, and blown against a wall. Struck off charge 30.01.47. Restored, and on display, at the Malta Aviation Museum. |
| 28.12.46 |
A. York |
|
__268 |
Crash landed at Luqa after the undercarriage collapsed. No casualties. |
| 03.01.47 |
DC-3 |
216 |
KN475 |
Arriving from Almaza, Egypt. Note in Custom’s file: All the above persons had to jettison their baggage on pilot’s instructions. A/c was in difficulties. 1 engine u/s. Landed at Hal-Far.
c/s MODHN. Escorted by Martinet aircraft. On the 4th, Air-Sea Rescue aircraft searched the sea for possible signs of luggage and freight from the Dakota. |
| 14.01.47 |
V. Wellington |
M.C.F. |
|
A flight to Elmas had to be abandoned after the aircraft suffered from hydraulic failure, forcing a return to Malta. |
| 27.01.47 |
|
|
|
Winds of up to 56 mph were recorded and at 12:30, the wooden tower supporting all V.H.F. transmitting aerials was blown down, with the result that Malta Homer, Eureka beacon, Luqa VHF Approach Control and Airfield Control channels were put out of action. Although repair work started immediately, it was until Saturday 1st February that everything was back to normal. |
| 29.01.47 |
|
|
|
On advice from the Meteorological Section, Malta area was placed as unfit due to icing, low cloud and sand storms along the African coast. Seven aircraft diverted from Luqa. |
| __.02.47 |
HP Halifax IX |
|
113 |
Aircraft had an engine failure during an air test. Pilot made a successful three-engine landing. |
| 19.02.47 |
A. Lancaster |
|
|
c/s MBDVQ. Aircraft was carrying an Air Vice Marshall, from Cairo to Malta, despite Luqa being closed for traffic due to strong winds. Aircraft forced to land at El Adem in Libya on orders from AOC Malta. |
| 25.02. 47 |
H. Tempest IV |
|
NX255 |
Aircraft was being ferried from the UK to Fayid, Egypt, in company with Tempest NX131, being escorted by Mosquito RG308. Engine problems forced the pilot to bale out 20 miles from Benghazi. The message was received at 10:33Z, and two Air-Sea Rescue Lancasters of 38 squadrons being airborne at 10:50Z, with aircraft from Almaza, Egypt to Luqa being asked to assist, as well as two RN ship, the cruiser Leander, and the destroyer Virago. The pilot was eventually located by an RAF Dakota, __265, c/s MOYFC, on a routine flight from El Adem to Benina at 14:53Z. One of the Lancasters, after dropping Lindholme gear and a Mk. II lifeboat, orbited over the pilot for over three hours until the arrival of the Virago at 18:45Z. |
| 26.02.47 |
B. Beaufighter |
|
__856 |
Departed Bordeaux for Malta. Ran out of fuel due to strong headwinds, crashing near Palermo, Sicily. |
| 27.02.47 |
Sh. Sunderland |
|
SZ570 |
Broke from its moorings at Marsaxlokk Bay in rough weather and in danger of breaking on rocks. |
| 07.03.47 |
S. Spitfire F.XVIII |
800 |
SX357 |
Stalled in sea. |
| 15.03.47 |
|
|
|
Luqa airfield becomes unfit for all aircraft types due to gale force winds. Between 1345Z to 1630Z, 14 aircraft were diverted. |
| 08.04.47 |
A. York |
|
|
c/s MOYAO depart Malta for Iraq, but forced to return with engine trouble. |
| 16.04.47 |
DC-3 |
|
KN509 |
c/s MODHH, inbound from Istres reported starboard engine trouble, and diverting to Trapani, Sicily. Air-Sea Rescue Lancaster was launched, in case of both engines failing. The pilot later reported the engine was running normally, and was escorted to Luqa by the Lancaster. |
| 28.04.47 |
|
|
|
Four breaches of Air Traffic Discipline, but no further details available. |
| 05.05.47 |
|
|
|
Luqa airfield was declared unfit for flying for all aircraft types between 0200Z to 1710Z due to winds gusting up to 53 mph. |
| 12.05.47 |
|
|
|
High winds experienced in the Mediterranean are render Luqa unfit for aircraft except 4-engined and heavy twin-engined aircraft only. |
| 14.05.47 |
|
|
|
High winds again made Luqa unfit for flying from 1307Z. |
| 15.05.47 |
Anson C.19 |
MECS |
PH863 |
Undercarriage jammed up; overshot belly landing at night. |
| 16.05.57 |
S. Seafire |
|
|
Crashed into the sea after being catapulted from HMS Triumph. |
| 24.05.47 |
Avro York C.1 |
242 |
MW190 |
Caught in down draught over quarry on approach and undershot runway. |
| 05.06.47 |
|
|
|
Fireworks at the end of the runway cause “slight consternations”. Such incidents are reported to the police to prevent reoccurrence. |
| 07.06.47 |
A. Lancaster |
|
|
c/s MBWYA, departed Malta for Elmas, reported port outer engine unserviceable, and a serious oil leak on the port inner engine. Both Tunisia and the air-sea rescue Lancaster at Luqa were told to stand by. The captain elected to return to Luqa, making a safe landing. |
| 10.06.47 |
S. Spitfire F.XVII |
805 |
SX187 |
Crashed in sea shortly after take-off from HMS Ocean. |
| 13.06.47 |
S. Seafire |
|
|
Aircraft was observed with a stationary prop and emitting smoke, gliding east of Valletta. Eventually crashed near Ta’ Qali. |
| 13.06.47 |
S. Seafire Mk. XVII |
|
__147 |
Took off from Hal-Far, crashed landed at Ta Qali, about 300 yards of the north end of the runway, ending up upside down, the pilot getting out though the small cockpit door before assistance arrived. No injuries. |
| 16.06.47 |
B. Buckmaster |
|
|
c/s MHSGK, inbound to Luqa from Istres, reported fuel problems, aircraft landing safely at Elmas, Sardinia. |
| 21.06.47 |
A. York |
|
|
Landed with no. 4 engine shut down. c/s MOYAN. |
| 27.06.47 |
DH Mosquito |
|
|
Aircraft shed the top hatch during the take-off run, damaging the fin. Pilot successfully abandoned the take-off, no injuries. |
| 02.07.47 |
|
|
|
A request news was received from London on Mosquito NB435/GXAAF which was due to have left Ajaccio on 1st July for Izmir (Turkey).
After thorough investigating on the part of this control the aircraft was traced as having landed at Luqa from Capodichino at 1816Z on 2nd July as Mosquito RF718 GGAAF.
Due to conflicting callsign and numbers the fact that Mosquito NB435 (GXAAF) was Mosquito RF718 (GGAAF) was verified through the name of the captain. This control had no knowledge that Mosquito NB435 was moving from Ajaccio to Ismir as no movement signal upon the aircraft was received by this control, and had the aircraft been in trouble this control would have had no knowledge of the aircraft to have rendered assistance. |
| 03.07.47 |
|
|
|
A MAYDAY call picked up by HMS Truimph proved to be the result of a pilot pressing the wrong button. |
| 05.07.47 |
DH Mosquito |
__718 |
|
Experienced engine trouble after take-off, and returned to Luqa. Had to orbit to jettison extra fuel. |
| 07.07.47 |
S. Spitfire |
|
|
Aircraft burst tyre on landing on runway 24. Three other Spitfires were directed to land on runway 32. Radio c/s “Baylo G”? |
| 14.07.47 |
|
|
|
A heavy rain shower, unusual for Malta at this time of summer, flooded the runways. |
| 15.07.47 |
|
|
|
At 10:00Z, a whirlwind moved across Luqa airfield, scattering 5- (22.73 litres) and 50 gallon (227.31 litres) tanks and drums littering the runways with debris, but no real damage. |
| 22.07.47 |
Martinet TT.1 |
728 |
RG911 |
Ditched in the sea following engine failure after take-off from Hal-Far. |
| 02.08.47 |
A. York |
|
MW190 |
c/s MOYFY. Pilot reported an unserviceable airspeed indicator. As Luqa didn’t have an overshoot area, the crew were directed to Castel Benito, Libya, where it landed safely. |
| 07.08.47 |
Ai. Anson |
M.C.F. |
PH718 |
Aircraft lost the pilot escape hatch when in the circuit. |
| 12.08.47 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
73 |
MJ891 |
Pilot returned a sortie with a u/s R/T, wiping the undercarriage landing in a cross-wind. Slight injuries to pilot. There was some difficulty removing the aircraft from the runway, and the three other Spitfires were forced to divert to Luqa. For a night stop.
The squadron’s ORB had this to say about this incident. “With only a few more weeks to go to complete a whole accident free year for the Squadron, this effort is rather disappointing but even so, eleven months without a prang was quite a creditable effort.”
|
| 15.08.47 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
73 |
MJ247 |
Engine failure on take-off from Ta’ Qali. Aircraft was being piloted by the C.O., who made a belly-landing just off the runway. |
| 17.08.47 |
A. Lancaster |
38 ? |
RF318 |
Arrived from Ein Shemer (Northern Israel) on three engines. |
| 17.08.47 |
A. Lancastrian |
|
|
Diverted to Malta from Castel Benito with one of its starboard engines feathered. |
| 19.08.47 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
73 |
PT477 |
Port tyre burst during take-off, but pilot managed to get airborne safely, before suffering from engine trouble. He managed to return for a wheels up landing with suffering any injuries. Quote form the squadron’s ORB: “This the third mishap on the Squadron in a week, it’s hoped that the run of bad luck has now finished”. |
| 01.09.47 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
73 |
NH198 |
Pilot experienced propeller trouble, when half a blade broke off. Despite the engine cutting off for 10-15 seconds, the pilot managed to make a safe landing at base. The pilot experienced further trouble when he discovered he was unable to open or jettison the cockpit hood, which was covered in oil form the C.S.U. The pilot also suffered from badly blistered hands by holding to the throttle and stick under the excessive vibration.
The propeller damage was the result of faulty repair work, and all Spitfires that had undergone prop work were grounded on the 2nd. |
| 03.09.47 |
Gr. F8F-1B Bearcat |
VF8A |
95237 |
Based on the USS Leyte. Pilot, Ens. T.M. Spencer, was unable to release the tow target and was ordered to land at Ta Kali, but stalled 20 feet above the runway. Aircraft written off, no injuries. Information supplied by George Kernahan.
The pilot was picked up by a Grumman Avenger. |
| 05.09.47 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
73 |
MH979 |
Spitfire pilot experienced undercarriage trouble, which was refusing to lower. As he was pulling negative G, he also experience engine trouble, but managed to make a successful belly landing at Ta’ Qali. |
| 05.09.47 |
DC-3 |
|
|
c/s MDKLO, departed for Istres reported a leaking starboard fuel pipe. Returned to Luqa, no injuries. |
| 08.09.47 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
73 |
MK158 |
Pilot experienced engine trouble when the boost aneroid fractured on take-off from Ta’ Qali. On throttling back from the excessive boost the engine faltered. As there was insufficient runway left to come to a halt without over running the runway and going over a fifteen-foot wall 20 yards from the end of the runway, the pilot decided to raise the gear and make a belly landing
All these incidents have been experienced on Spitfires brought over from Italy last May, and the C.T.O. has decided to ground them all. |
| 09.09.47 |
A. Lancaster |
38 |
|
“Ghurka O” c/s? Reported an unserviceable air speed indicator on an air test, and was diverted to Castel Benito due to variable wind at Luqa. |
| 09.09.47 |
A. Lancaster |
38 |
|
“Ghurka O” c/s? Again reported an unserviceable air speed indicator and altimeter gauge. On this occasion, however, the aircraft landed at Luqa. |
| 28.09.47 |
F. Firefly |
804 |
VT435 |
Aircraft stalled and crashed into the sea on the approach to HMS Ocean. One fatality. |
| 29.09.47 |
A. York |
|
|
c/s MOYCK, developed engine trouble 30 minutes after departing Malta. Landed safely at Luqa, after circling the airfield to reduce fuel load. |
| __.10.47 |
DH Mosquito FB.VI |
|
HR339 |
Aircraft was on delivery to the New Zealand Air Force. Crew had left RAF Pershore on October 16, 1947, and were forced to remain in Malta until an unserviceable engine could be replaced. |
| 20.10.47 |
A. Lincoln |
Empire Air Navigational School |
RE364 |
Aircraft left Shawbury on 20.10.47, departing for Habbaniya on the 21st. It returned from Khartoum on 16.12.47, departing for Shawbury on the 18th.
On flight to Habbaniya, the aircraft developed cracks in under-surface of wing skin, and in port inner saddle cowling, and wing screws becoming loose.
Instrument wise, the D.G.I. was replace at Malta due to too high a wander rate between 20-21.10.47. Auto-pilot hunting excessively UK-Malta. Intercommunication vibrator u/s. Between Luqa-Iraq, radar fuses continually blowing, radio compass reception unsatisfactory due to rubbing between bonding connections in flight, and the H2S set was u/s on Luqa-UK.
On take-off (from Shawbury) the aircraft was found to be tail-heavy. On approaching Malta, the aircraft’s tail heaviness became more apparent, and only by hurriedly moving the passengers forward was control maintained. On landing, a tendency to swing was noticed and tail wheel shimmy was experienced. As the centre of gravity, having been re-checked and found to be correct, it was assumed that the basic data supplied by the manufacturer was wrong. Consequently, the aircraft was loaded with the CoG (Centre of Gravity) further forward than that recommended by the manufacturer, and no further problems were experienced.
Tare weight * was given A. V. Roe as being 43,612 lbs, and CoG datum point 4.5 inches forward of the wing spar, and CoG position at 3.93 feet aft of this datum.
In Australia, the aircraft was weighted again, the tare weight was now up to 45,744 lbs, and CoG position at 4.8 inches aft of that given by the Roe company.
It was therefore apparent that the aircraft had been taking off with greater weights than recommended and CoG outside safe limits. This could also explain the structural defects experienced.
* Tare is the weight of chocks, blocks, stands, etc. used when weighing an airplane. Tare weight is included in the scale readings and deducted from the scale reading to obtain the actual (net) airplane weight.
|
| 31.10.47 |
A. York |
|
|
c/s MOYFB. Aircraft made a three-engined landing. |
| 07.11.47 |
DH Mosquito |
|
|
Reported engine problems after take-off, returned with prop feathered. No injuries. “17”, possibly part of its radio callsign. |
| 15.11.47 |
A. Lancaster |
|
TW904 |
c/s MKJAE. Arrived from RAF Abingdon. Reported port inner engine trouble 180 North-West of Malta, the aircraft landing safely at Luqa at 14:12Z. |
| 04.12.47 |
D. AD-1 |
VA1B |
09236 |
Took off from Hal Far for flight back to USS Midway. Engine failed just after becoming airborne and aircraft ditched 1 mile south of airfield. The pilot, Lt(jg) R.H. Reeb, was rescued uninjured by a US Navy helicopter. Info by George Kernahan. |
| 05.12.47 |
Av. Lancaster |
38 |
|
Departed for Elmas, but hydraulic problems forced his return to Luqa, with the undercarriage lowered. The emergency air system was used to lower the flaps. |
| 16.01.48 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
73 |
|
Aircraft lost one of the radiator cowlings, but pilot was able to make a safe landing at Luqa. |
| 19.01.48 |
Ai. Anson |
|
VL306 |
On a flight from Benina to Castel Benito in Libya was forced to land at Homs due to a combination of high winds, bad visibility and loss of radio communication. No injuries. |
| 27.01.48 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
73 |
_____/W |
Starboard undercarriage leg collapsed on landing, the aircraft being practically written off. |
| 28.02.48 |
S. Sunderland |
|
|
Aircraft broke loose from its mooring at Kalafrana, and wrecked on Marsaxlokk beach. |
| 28.02.48 |
Ai. Anson |
M.C.F. |
VP530 |
Avro York G-AGJE was reported overdue at Castel Benito, Libya. SAR operations from Castel Benito, Benina and Luqa yielded no results. Malta-based Anson VP530, in an attempt to search the coast between Marble Arch and Castel Benito had to abandon its mission due to sand storms, the crew routing directly to Malta from Marble Arch. |
| 22.03.48 |
B. P-63 Kingcobra |
French AF |
|
These three aircraft had escorted a French General to Malta on the 18th. One aircraft had difficulty starting up, and the following is an extract from 73 squadron’s ORB.
“One of them had some difficulty starting up due to a flat battery, and had to resort to the crank handle. This would have been all right had not the French Major and Squadron Leader Jackson been a bit too strong for the handle which broke into two very neat pieces. However, fortunately, another handle was forthcoming from one of the other aircraft and eventually a successful start was made.”
|
| 28.03.48 |
V. Wellington Mk. X |
765 |
HZ470 |
Crashed during take-off, possibly from Hal-Far, where the squadron was based. |
| 05.04.48 |
V. Wellington Mk. X |
765 |
HE274 |
Engaged in an exercise with 73 Sqdn Spitfire IX NH484. Failed to pull out of dive, crashing into a building. Four crew and 20 civilian deaths. |
| 11.04.48 |
DH Mosquito |
|
HR190 |
Arrived on delivery to Turkey, departing on the 13th. Aircraft arrived without a log book. |
| 11.04.48 |
S. Spitfire |
|
NH214 |
Arrived on delivery to Turkey, departing on the 13th. Aircraft arrived without a log book. |
| 14.04.48 |
Sea Otter |
Hal-Far Station Flight |
RD885 |
Ran in difficulties during a water landing, and sunk. Hal-Far Station Flight was an off-shoot of 728 squadron. |
| 23.04.48 |
S. Spitfire Mk. XXII |
73 |
|
Pilot passed out from lack of oxygen at 30,000ft, regaining consciousness at 4,000ft in a spiral. He returned to base, but the undercarriage collapsed on landing. |
| 14.05.48 |
Ai. Anson |
|
VM530 |
Aircraft was on a flight from Benina to Castel Benito, diverting to Hal-Far, landing on one engine due to low fuel level. Searched for, and escorted by, Lancaster PA417, which was in Malta for radar tests. |
| 04.06.48 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
73 |
|
Aircraft was being ferried from Ta Qali to Luqa, but pilot forgot to lower the undercarriage. |
| 04.07.48 |
Avro York |
99 |
MW248 |
Departed Malta with six crew and Sir Edward Gent the British High Commissioner for Malaya. Involved in a mid-air collision over Northolt, London with an SAS airlines DC-6, SE-DBA. 39 fatalities. |
| 06.07.48 |
M. Martinet |
|
|
Aircraft was towing a drogue for air-to-air firing by Spitfires of 73 squadron. First pilot “put his first burst right through the drogue, and tore it to ribbons”. An attempt to stream another drogue failed as the winch jammed, forcing the return of the Martinet to Hal-Far. Airborne again after an hour, the same pilot shot the remainder of his ammunition at the target, after which the Martinet developed an oil leak, jettisoned the drogue into the sea, and again retuned to Hal-Far. |
| 25.08.48 |
DH Vampire F.3 |
73 |
|
Stalled above the runway at RAF Luqa, the nose wheel and starboard wheel collapsing on touch down. Aircraft believed a write-off. |
| 20.09.48 |
S. Spitfire Mk. IX |
73 |
|
Aircraft got airborne on a cross-country trip to the Islands of Linesa, Lampione and Lampedusa. His engine cut out at about 600 ft after take-off. To quote from the squadron’s ORB “. . . he managed to turn round and make a crash landing into the wind on the airfield. Although turning round is contrary to normal practice, a crash landing on this Island (Malta) other than the airfield would probably be fatal due to the small walled-in fields. The engine casing was found to be split and in places one could see big-ends and even the crank shaft. Flight Sergeant Morris’s cigarette consumption for the day went up considerably”. |
| __.10.48 |
F. Firefly NF1 |
812 |
PP555 |
Aircraft was practicing Deck landing Trails (DLT) and ended up in the barrier. Put ashore at Kalafrana for repairs. |
| 25.10.48 |
NA Harvard IIA |
Royal Navy |
EZ406 |
Aircraft’s starboard wing was cut off by a 73 Sqdn Vampire over Ta’ Qali, causing it to crash in the limits of Imtarfa. Two fatalities. |
| 25.10.48 |
DH Vampire F.3 |
73 |
VT808 |
Vampire cut off the Harvard’s starboard wing (above), causing its crash to the ground. The Vampire had a damaged port wing tip, forcing the pilot to land at a higher speed, resulting in the aircraft overrunning the runway. The pilot was unhurt, but the aircraft subsequently burnt itself out, as the fire services had left for the scene of the Harvard crash. No injuries. |
| 30.10.48 |
DH Mosquito Mk.35 |
14 |
TJ141 |
Left Malta for Marseilles, but encountered bad weather. Crashed off Xlendi Gozo. Crew’s bodies were never recovered. |
| ¬¬__.11.48 |
F. Firefly NF1 |
812 |
PP618 |
Crashed in barrier during night time landing on HMS Ocean. No casualties. |
| 03.11.48 |
DH Vampire |
73 |
____/X |
Pilot was carrying out circuits and landings (touch & go’s in modern parlance). Tyre detached itself from the starboard wheel on the third take-off, causing the aircraft to swing, breaking the oleo, the aircraft being declared a write off. |
| 12.11.48 |
|
|
|
Heavy rains during the night left the runway u/s due to lakes of water on the runway, leading to a decision to cancel all flying. The previous day, a Vampire was discovered to have badly buckled flaps, the assumption being the amount of water on the runway. Hence the decision to cancel flying for the day. A repeat occurred on the 18th, and with water puddles still being present on the 19th, the problem was solved (more or less) by blowing the water away by means of the jet exhaust of a Vampire. |
| 06.12.48 |
|
|
|
It became customary for 73 squadron to cancel flying after heavy downpours, after another Vampire was found with buckled flaps. Vampires are also being forced to divert to Luqa if heavy rains occur after the aircraft get airborne. |
| 14.12.48 |
F. Firefly |
|
|
Crashed in Salina Bay. |
| 30.12.48 |
S. Seafire FR47 |
804 |
VP439 |
The following is a description of the accident as related by Peter Cook, in the article The 14th Carrier Air Group, Malta & the Mediterranean 1948-1950 Malta Flypast issue 8. Our sister ship, HMS Triumph, had been in the Mediterranean when we arrived and it was getting time for her to return to the UK. She had on board the 13th CAG, consisting of 800 NAS, with Seafire F17s and 827 NAS with Firefly FR1s. On returning to the UK 800 NAS was to re-equip with the Seafire FR47, so to familiarise her pilots with the new mark they would soon be receiving, we detached three of our Seafire FR47s to Triumph. An unusual accident occurred aboard Triumph on 30 December when a Seafire FR47 (VP439) on loan from Ocean landed on and was taken down on the forward lift to the hangar below. But before it could be removed from the lift, a Seafire F17 (SX333) of 800 NAS landed on and taxied forward and fell into the lift-well on top of VP439. Although there were no injuries to either pilot both aircraft were written-off and it proved some logistical puzzle how to retrieve the F17. Eventually the flight deck Jumbo crane did the job. |
| 30.12.48 |
S. Seafire F17 |
800 |
SX333 |
See VP439 above. |
| __.12.48 |
F. Firefly FR5 |
812 |
VT462 |
Crashed into St. Paul’s Bay during dummy RP dives. Pilot ejected, suffering some injuries, but rear seat occupant, flying as a passenger, perished with the aircraft. |
| 16.01.49 |
H. Tempest FB.6 |
No. 1 Ferry Unit |
NX137 |
Overshot approach. Undercarriage was raised in an attempt to stop. Aircraft later Struck Off Charge(SOC). |
| 02.02.49 |
|
|
|
Worst gales in 50 years hit Malta as winds hit 66 mph. Aircraft secured and turned in the wind. No damage. No flying. |
| 14.02.49 |
H. Sea Fury FB.11 |
807 |
TF264 |
Ditched in St. Paul’s Bay flying from Hal-Far. |
| 15.02.49 |
F. Firefly AS.5 |
812 |
VT366 |
Forced landing at Qrendi strip after engine trouble, totally destroyed by fire. |
| 07.03.49 |
DH Vampire |
73 |
|
Aircraft’s hood disintegrated in flight, the pilot suffering from cuts by the breaking glass. |
| 09.03.49 |
Martinet TT.1 |
728 |
RH114 |
Severe engine vibration after one hour target towing, emergency landing at Hal-Far. |
| 10.03.49 |
Av. Lancaster |
|
SW374 |
Aircraft was taken for an acceptance flight prior to being accepted for service with 38 squadron, but had to return after undercarriage didn’t retract. |
| 22.03.49 |
DH Vampire |
73 |
|
Both port and starboard gun bay panels on a Vampire became loose in flight. One fell away to earth damaging the air intake in the process, but the other actually rest against the air intake, partially blocking it, and causing an immediate rise in temperature and loss of power. The pilot made an emergency landing, the panel falling away during the landing. |
| 26.03.49 |
DH Mosquito PR.16 |
728 |
NS531 |
Forced to ditch into the sea off Delimara Point as it was returning from Algiers, after suffering an engine failure. Air-Britain's Aeromilitaria gives point of departure Rome, Italy on a mail flight. |
| 26.03.49 |
DH Sea Otter ASR.2 |
|
JM880 |
Sent to pick up crew of Mosquito NS531 (above) but after landing on water, heavy swell carried the aircraft to the rocks, suffering extensive damage. |
| 21.04.49 |
DH Vampire |
73 |
|
Squadron was to fly to No. 26, Armament Practice School, Cyprus. After twenty minutes, two pilots experienced fuel problems and returned to Ta Qali. 30 minutes later, another two had difficulties, when the canopy of one cracked, and after five minutes, the second pilot experienced the same problems. This wasn’t enough, as a fifth pilot ran out of fuel, force landing at approx. 50 miles (80 km) from El Adem. The pilot was uninjured, and the aircraft declared Cat. E1. The squadron returned to Malta on 27.05.49. |
| 17.05.49 |
Av. Lancaster |
37 |
SW306 |
Aircraft was airborne on a NAVEX, when the crew experienced severe vibrations in no.2 and 3 engine, necessitating a return to Luqa. |
| 19.05.49 |
S. Sea Otter ASR.2 |
Ship’s Flt. |
JN182 |
Aircraft was landing on HMS Ocean, missed arrestor wires, striking island and cranes on take off, crashing in the sea. Peter Cook, The 14th Carrier Air Group, Malta & the Mediterranean 1948-1950 gives the serial as JN183. Malta Flypast No.8 |
| 30.05.49 |
S. Seafire FR47 |
804 |
VP436 |
The following is a description of the accident as related by Peter Cook, in the article The 14th Carrier Air Group, Malta & the Mediterranean 1948-1950 Malta Flypast issue 8. Another unusual accident took place on 30 May with a Seafire FR47 while landing. The aircraft crossed the flight deck diagonally after touch-down and although it had collected an arrester wire, went over the port side level with the ships VHF aerial. Once the wire had run its full length the aircraft hung over the side, not even touching the water. The ships sea-boat was quickly launched and the pilot retrieved unhurt, but getting VP436 back on board was a trickier proposition. Despite our best efforts we were forced to return to Grand Harbour with the aircraft still sus¬pended from the arrester wire - red faces all round - and have it lifted back on board with one of the dockyard float¬ing cranes before we could reset our arrester wires and carry on flying. |
| __.06.49 |
Ai. Anson |
|
VP530 |
Unknown incident between this and DC-3 KN279. |
| __.06.49 |
DC-3 |
|
KN279 |
See above. |
| 08.07.49 |
NA Harvard T.3 |
Station Flight, Hal-Far |
E2288 |
Overturned during violent braking from instrument landing practice. |
| 26.07.49 |
S. Seafire |
728 |
SX224 |
“Malta: An Aviation History” reports this aircraft as being “smashed up”, no other cause being given. Aeromilitaria gives the date as 27 July. |
| 27.07.49 |
B. Brigand |
|
SV834 * |
Aircraft was being ferried by No. 1 Ferry Unit. * This is how the serial was written in the RAF Luqa ORB but is probably a typo for VS834, as Brigand serials started at VS812. |
| __.09.49 |
A. Lancaster |
37 |
SW336 |
Unknown accident involving bomb bay doors. |
| 28.09.49 |
S. Seafire |
728 |
SX226 |
Crashed. No other info available. |
| 23.09.49 |
DH Vampire F.3 |
73 |
VT809 |
Based at Ta’ Qali. One of four aircraft that crashed after running out fuel 50 miles south of Brescia, Italy. Formation was visiting Italy to give displays. The aircraft were eventually sold to the Italian Government. |
| 23.09.49 |
DH Vampire F.3 |
73 |
VP345 |
The RAF Luqa Operations Record Book (ORB) also mentioned this aircraft as being part of the formation. It also mentions that the aircraft “forced landed” at Brescia. |
| 23.09.49 |
DH Vampire F.3 |
73 |
VT813 |
As above. |
| 23.09.49 |
DH Vampire F.3 |
73 |
VT855 |
As above. |
| 23.09.49 |
DH Vampire F.3 |
73 |
VV204 |
As above. |
| 04.10.49 |
A. Lancaster |
37 |
RE167/F |
Unspecified towing accident. |
| 09.10.49 |
DH Mosquito TT.39 |
728 |
RV295 |
UP switch for undercarriage selected, instead for flaps when aircraft on the ground. The tail wheel retracted damaging the guard wire support. |
| 20.10.49 |
H. Sea Fury FB.11 |
|
VW695 |
Entrance to Grand Harbour, fell into the sea. ?! |
| 08.11.49 |
B. Expeditor |
728 |
FT994 |
Departed from Hal-Far for Fayid, Egypt via Benina & El Adem, both in Libya. 30 minutes from Benina, a/c had complete electrical failure. Night stop to allow fault investigation and battery charging. Continued on the 9th, but engine lost power 50 miles from Fayid. Landed at Egyptian airfield Bilbeis (?), problem caused by water in tanks. Another hour spent convincing base commander there was nothing illegal about the flight. Left for Fayid, landing at 13:05 local. In the evening ground crew removed water & sediment from tanks, and ran up the engines w/o placing the brake on. Aircraft swung 180 degress, breaking the tip of the s/board prop, cutting a slit in the fuselage, demolished the starting accumulator and damaging the tail. Test flight on the 12th, started the return journey, landing in Malta on the 13th. |
| 14.11.49 |
S. Seafire XVII |
728 |
SX294 |
Returned early from exercise with RN destroyer due to petrol in cockpit. |
| 15.11.49 |
M. Martinet |
728 |
NR665 |
Test flight canx. Quote in ORB: “At run up however, the exhaust pipe fell to pieces. Any moment now for the fuselage to follow suit.” |
| 15.11.49 |
S. Seafire XVII |
728 |
SX294 |
On exercise with HMS Newcastle, pilot lost 50-gallon fuel tank. Quote from squadron’s ORB: Headache for somebody if it hit him. |
| 15.11.49 |
F. Fairefly AS.5 |
812 |
WB289 |
Went down the starboard side of HMS Ocean after missing the wires in too fast a landing. |
| 24.11.49 |
S. Seafire F.17 |
728 |
SX241 |
Engine cut out during take-off from Hal-Far. Pilot selected gear up, and landed on “goat track” at western end of 09/27, no injuries. |
| 05.12.49 |
DH Vampire |
73 |
|
From this day, and for the remainder of the month, the squadron was grounded for a modification to the mainplane structure. |
| 06.12.49 |
S. Seafire XVII |
728 |
SX294 |
Quote from squadron’s ORB: Lt. Taylor carried out – or should have carried out – an air test on SX294. He got into the air, made a rapid circuit, landed and said ‘Throw it away.’ |
| 08.12.49 |
H. Sea Fury FB.11 |
804 |
VW709 |
Crashed at Hal-Far. |
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