A seven-day visit to Malta in 1914 by an Austrian naval squadron aroused particular interest among local inhabitants because the island had had a strong connection with the House of Habsburg in the past, through the Hospitaler Order of the Knights of St John. Indeed, some Austrian names figure in the honourable roll of chivalry; the proud scions of Austrian nobility lie buried beneath the vaults of St John’s Co-Cathedral, the former conventual church of the Order in Valletta.

The Austrian Navy was at the time rapidly gaining in power, but prior to this contingent’s visit in 1914 there had only been two previous notable visits by Austrian Navy vessels. Admiral Count Rudolf Graf Montecuccioli, who may be considered as the builder of the modern Austrian Navy, commanded a squadron on a visit to Malta in 1900 when England was engaged in the Transvaal War; that visit had been interpreted as an expression of moral support to Britain.

Another Austrian Navy visit to Malta followed in 1908 when Rear-Admiral Luzian von Ziegler commanded the visiting squadron.

Strada Levante (East Street), Valletta’s main throughfare leading to Grand Harbour.

The squadron of the 1914 visit was under the command of Rear-Admiral Franz Löfler, and consisted of three battleships: The Tegetthoff, flagship of the rear-admiral, the Viribus Unitis and the Zrinyi; the first two were the latest type of powerful dreadnoughts while the last was a man-of-war.

The British Mediterranean Fleet had just returned to its Malta station after having been in the Adriatic Sea for a considerable number of days visiting Trieste, Fiume and Pola besides other ports, so the Austrian Navy’s visit to Malta was to return the visit of the Mediterranean Fleet.

The Austro-Hungarian squadron arrived on the morning of May 22, 1914, in ideal summer weather. The three battleships in single line steamed ahead towards the Grand Harbour entrance at almost full speed. They presented an imposing spectacle. Meanwhile, spectators started filling all positions commanding a view of Grand Harbour.

The three battleships in single line steamed ahead towards the Grand Harbour entrance at almost full speed. They presented an imposing spectacle

The Zrinyi, captained by Maximilian Daublebsky, entered first, passing three British warships that were lying in Bighi Bay, and British and Austrian sailors stood at attention on the decks of their respective ships.

The Viribus Unitis, captained by Konstant Freiherr von Gerlach, was the first dreadnought to enter harbour. The chief of staff was Captain Paul von Mecenseffy. The Tegetthoff, captained by Franz Holub, flying Rear-Admiral Löfler’s flag from the main mast and the Austro-Hungarian colours from the mizzen, saluted the flag with 21-gun just before steaming past the breakwater. The salute was acknowledged by the saluting battery which was manned by the Royal Malta Artillery.

At the first signal of salute, people were seen running to the Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens. The British Admiral Commander-in-Chief and HMS Inflexible returned the salute.

As the Austrian flagship steamed slowly down towards the British flagship, both ships were fully manned, while the British and Austrian anthems reverberated in the air. The flagship Tegetthoff was moored opposite the British flagship Inflexible. Both flagships were joined by telephone.

The two other ships of the visiting squadron which preceded the Tegetthoff had already exchanged courtesies with the British ships lying beyond Fort St Angelo, and had taken up their moorings: Viribus Unitis opposite the battleship Indomitable, and Zrinyi opposite the cruiser Warrior.

Löfler, attended by his staff, proceeded on board Inflexible to pay a visit to Admiral Sir Archibald Berkeley Milne, Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean Station. Berkeley Milne, with his staff in attendance, returned the visit on board the Tegetthoff.

A round of official and courtesy visits followed: Löfler called at the Austro-Hungarian consulate where he held a meeting with the consul general Kohen von Hohenland. Accompanied by the Austro-Hungarian vice-consul, Löfler then paid an official call to Archbishop Pietro Pace, who, on his part, accompanied by his private secretary, returned the visit on board the Tegetthoff.

The rear-admiral and several other officers of the visiting squadron then returned to the marina in three motor-cars. Ms Löfler stayed at Admiralty House in Valletta as the guest of Berkeley Milne.

A varied programme of receptions and entertainment was laid out for the visitors. This included a tennis tournament, gymkhana and polo at the Marsa, a concert at the Garrison Gymnasium in Valletta, a swimming session at St Paul’s Bay, a visit to the dockyard and Royal Navy Hospital, and a luncheon given by the Admiral Superintendent at Admiralty House, Vittoriosa.

A special performance was given in honour of the visiting officers when the London West End Company presented Mrs Gorringe’s Necklace, a play by Hubert Henry Davies, at the Theatre Royal.

The highlight of the programme was the reception held by von Hohenland in honour of the Austrian admiral and officers. It took place at the Union Club and Circolo Għar id-Dud, Sliema. The grounds were decorated with Austrian and English national flags.

The King’s Own Band played a select programme of music: it included the Overture Imperator, which band master Mro Aurelio Doncich had especially composed in honour of the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph.

A few days before the reception a special ceremony was held at which von Hohenland had presented Doncich a diamond scarf pin inscribed with the monogram and crown of the Emperor who had accepted the tribute of the symphony and had so ordained that the work should be placed in the library of the Imperial Family.

Cultural excursions were also included in the programme of activities. Thus a party consisting of officers from each Austrian ship were taken on visits to the Chapel of Bones, to the former hospital of the Knights, the Palace and the Armoury. Other parties visited the Archaeological Museum, the Hypogeum, the Roman Villa and other places of historical interest under the guidance of Prof. Temi Zammit.

Two football matches between Floriana United FC and a team from the Tegetthoff were played at the Mile End Sports Ground. Floriana FC won the first game by six goals to three. A much larger number of spectators turned up for the return match as rumours spread among football circles that the Austrian team had decided to wipe out the defeat of the previous day. But the local team won again by six goals to one but the match was reported to have been stiffer.

Throughout the visit, local newspapers reported that “there was great animation in Valletta” as large parties landed and went to cinemas and other places of entertainment.

Notwithstanding the friendly atmosphere that characterised the visit, less than three months later Britain declared war on Austria-Hungary as hostilities in Europe rapidly escalated leading to World War I

For the duration of the visit, the government provided 15 horse-drawn carriages (karozzini) for the use of officers of the visiting squadron free of charge. They carried a small Austrian ensign and were stationed outside the Custom House and detailed on duty from 10am to midnight.

Besides, six dgħajsas were provided for the use of Austrian officers, free of charge. They flew a small Austrian ensign, and two were at the disposal of each ship from 8am to midnight.

On May 28, the Austrian-Hungarian squadron left Malta in the afternoon en route to Pola. The first to leave Grand Harbour was the Tegetthoff, followed by the Viribus Unitis and then the Zrinyi.

All the men of the British Fleet were lined on the decks of their respective ships. Berkeley Milne stood conspicuously on the Inflexible. Rear-Admiral Carden was on one of the dockyard launches and accompanied the squadron as far as the breakwater.

The departure was witnessed by large numbers of spectators from the Barrakka gardens and bastions.

In a letter to Berkeley Milne, Löfler later wrote: “Arrived back in our home again. I now offer Your Excellency my most heartfelt and sincere thanks for your kindness and attention especially that shown by yourself and the English fleet to me, my captains, officers and men in the beautiful harbour of Malta.”

Surprisingly, on the very day of the departure from Malta of the Austrian squadron the following official notice appeared in local newspapers: “By Command of His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty the Emperor of Austria and Hungarian subjects liable to serve in the Army or Navy are hereby required to call at the Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian Consulate in order to receive further instructions. It has been notified for the information of local agents that all letters and telegrams to Austro-Hungarian firms must be written in the language of that State, in consequence of the conditions attendant upon the threatened war.”

Notwithstanding the cordial and friendly atmosphere that characterised the Malta visit of the Austro-Hungarian Squadron, less than three months later Britain declared war on Austria-Hungary on August 12, as hostilities in Europe rapidly escalated leading to World War I.