Association wants to move war museum

The recent acts of vandalism at the offices of the War Museum at Fort St Elmo, Valletta have highlighted the need to shift the museum to a more secure and larger site, a spokesman for the museum told The Times.

"Whoever broke in recently managed to cut open an iron door, smashed in a wooden door and carted off a mahogany table and writing desk, several chairs, a carpet. a toolbox, a number of gas masks, drinking glasses and stationery.

"I find it extremely hard to believe that the security guard on duty did not hear a thing", the spokesman added.

The security guard is paid for by the Ministry of Tourism.

Anthony Pace, Superintendent of Cultural Heritage, said when contacted that when he was director of museums he had suggested to the association in 2001 that they should house the archives in a safe place within the museum itself but this offer was not taken up.

Dr Pace said the department had also offered that the association commission an interior designer to come up with a visitor-friendly design for the museum. The department was prepared to pay for the expenses involved in the buying of the material needed for the revamp.

The association spokesman said, however, that instead of spending money on such a design, the association felt they could do the revamping themselves in order to save funds.

"The space at the museum is far too limited to take any more stuff and, besides, the area suggested by the department to house the archives is afflicted with rising damp, lack of ventilation and suffers from high salinity levels because of the fort's close proximity to the sea.

"The association had a good working relationship with Michael Stroud, then assistant curator of the museum, and he had given us the go ahead to produce the display cabinets.

"But since two years ago, things have come to a standstill because of the lack of official backing. There is far too much red tape when it comes to dealing with government entities. This has resulted in a substantial number of artefacts and memorabilia lying on the floor instead of being displayed properly", the spokesman claimed.

Dr Pace replied to this saying: "When I suggested that the archives be placed inside the museum, my basic intention was security. The association had put in an enormous contribution towards the setting up of the museum which is greatly appreciated.

"I suggest that the way forward for the association is to form a partnership with Heritage Malta," Dr Pace added.

The association feels the museum ought to be a thematic one marking all the historic events the island was connected with as regards war.

The association is suggesting that the War Museum be shifted to Ta' Qali, close to the Aviation Museum. Next to these two museums, another housing military vehicles ought to be set up.

The museum has eight World War II military vehicles including a Bedford truck, an Austin ambulance, a fire engine and an Austin utility van, most of which have been rotting away for years.

The association has taken in hand the restoration of a Dodge command radio reconnaissance vehicle which so far has cost Lm4,000. The restoration job is now in its final stages and Heritage Malta has agreed to fund the remaining phase costing about Lm1,500.

The Malta Historical Society has condemned the vandal act and offered its support to the War Museum Association encouraging it "to continue working in favour of Malta's rich historical heritage".

The society has urged the authorities to endeavour the bring the culprits to book.

"The Malta Historical Society wants to express it preoccupation that this criminal act took place when the premises were supposedly being guarded by at least one watchman," Simon Mercieca, public relations officer of the society, added.