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WWII Living History / Militaria / Research
Evidence of Malta's Role in WWII
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Malta's stategic location between Southern Europe and North Africa, enabled it to play a key role in WWII. There is still much evidence of the part Malta played in ensuring the Allied victory, I have shown some of this below. This site will be extended, so please bookmark it and revisit soon.
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Maghtab Sound Mirror
Sound mirrors are large acoustic deflectors, used for early warning of approaching aircraft.
Unlike the earlier Semi-Spherical sound mirrors of the South Coast of England, this mirror is in the form of a stone built parabolic wall, 225 feet in length. It's known locally as Il-Widna, Maltese for "the ear".
A series of these walls was planned for the defence of Malta, but owing to the early development of radar this was the only one to be completed. It is orientated towards Sicily. Trials showed that it was effective at a range of over 25 miles, although operators needed to be highly trained before these levels of sensitivity could be achieved.
The top photograph shows the face of the wall, upon which can still be seen the remnants of its original "field boundary" camouflage. Although highly visible from ground level it is remarkably effective from height.
The centre photograph shows the curve of the sound mirror and an idea of the field shapes the camouflage was mimicing. The sound mirror is just to the right of the sattelite dish.
The bottom photograph shows the butressed rear and the control room at the centre back, note the remains of the camouflage, red in this area.
Maghtab (properly written with the h crossed in the manner of a "t") is approximately four miles NE of Mosta, about a mile from the coast.
The Site is surrounded by high-security fencing, in order to protect not only the sound mirror, but also the sattelite installation of MaltaCom, the island's telecom company.
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Click on photos above to enlarge
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This memorial lists by year the members of the RAF who gave their lives over and around Malta and who have no known grave.
It is located to the South side of the Triton Fountain, at the entrance to the capital, Valetta.
The memorial and its surrounding gardens are maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to their usual high standard.
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RAF Memorial
Floriana
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Sterling Barracks
Located near Melleiha village, behind the Selmun Palace. Home to hundreds of British Servicemen during the war, this site is worth a visit if only for the location. Unfortunately these barracks have been gutted, and are now only a shell. They should be explored with caution as some of the concrete roofs are now crumbling.
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George Cross
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War Museum, Fort St Elmo, Valetta
A small but nevertheless interesting museum, most items are well labelled and staff are particularly helpful.
Photographed above left is a Willys Jeep, named Husky, used by "Ike" on his visit to Malta. The photograph above centre shows a pedal generator, I can only speculate on how uncomfortable it would be to use. The photograph above right is the George Cross.
Location maps are available to view at the museum showing the War Graves and also places of interest relating to WWII. Unfortunately these are now out of print are are not available for purchase. I recommend taking your own map and marking it up yourself.
The most notable item in the museum is the George Cross, awarded to the people of Malta in recognition of their heroism and devotion. They certainly earned it. More bombs were dropped on Malta in one month in 1941 than on the whole of England throughout the entire war.
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