During the heat of the Abyssinian Crisis in the summer of 1935, important decisions had to be taken on how to defend Malta in case Italy decided to attack and invade the island.

Critical British naval military decisions were taken in August 1935, including on the question of whether Malta could or should be defended. The previous month, on July 16, most of the Mediterranean Fleet had gone to Britain to participate in the Great Silver Jubilee at Spithead. In August, the pressing decision was whether, on its return from Spithead, the fleet should remain at Malta or move elsewhere.

It was decided that the ships of the fleet were too few and too valuable to be exposed in Malta’s virtually defenceless harbours to the threat of a surprise air attack from Sicilian bases only 60 miles away. Consequently a report dated August 9 declared in the Mediterranean Fleet would proceed to Egyptian waters by the end of August.

In fact it was reported that the Mediterranean Fleet departed on September 28, presumably from Malta. The fleet was said to be Malta’s first line of defence, as it was for Britain. Maltese and British men and women watched unit after unit being moved out from the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour.

Nurses wearing gas masks attend to a patient during a gas attack demonstration held in London by the St John Ambulance Brigade in September 1935. These were typical British gas masks of that time. Photo: A. Hudson/Topical Press Agency/Getty ImagesNurses wearing gas masks attend to a patient during a gas attack demonstration held in London by the St John Ambulance Brigade in September 1935. These were typical British gas masks of that time. Photo: A. Hudson/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

The report said that the fleet did not defend its bases from its harbours, but out at sea, within striking distance. In case of war with a Mediterranean power, which was referring to Italy, the report reassured that the fleet would defend Malta not by staying in its harbours, but from the north, south, east and west.

It was believed that the Regia Aeronautica based in Italy and Sicily consisted of 700 first line aircraft, of which 400 were bombers, all capable of reaching Malta from Sicily. The report said that the only way to defend Malta was to divert the Regia Aeronautica by means of counter-attacks on Italy. These attacks could be launched from French North Africa on Sicilian airfields, and they would serve to reduce the air assault on Malta. Apart from that, the Royal Air Force (RAF) could support the Armée de l’Air (the French Air Force) by means of attacks from southern France on the Italian aircraft factories around Turin, where 400 bombers of an advanced design, the Savoia Marchetti SM.81, were being built.

Barbed wire surrounded all the island’s bays and inlets, and specially constructed boom defences guarded Grand Harbour

On August 31, a lecture was delivered by Captain B.W. Webb-Carter from the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment and secretary of the Air Raids Precautions Committee Malta, about the ‘Imaginary dangers of War Gas’, at the Government Elementary School, Ħamrun. He said that to contaminate an area of 17 miles long by 12 wide, 8,000 tons of mustard gas would be required, which would necessitate the services of 1,500 aeroplanes. Mustard gas was not considered a lethal gas but as a blistering agent that caused a high number of slight casualties.

The type of official service gas mask being used at that time was effective against all known gases and was sold at a price of 17/-,while the type of gas mask sold to the public was priced at between 5/- and 6/-. This cheaper type of mask was also effective against all types of gas but naturally was not manufactured to stand up to the hard wear and tear and constant use expected of the service gas mask issued to soldiers.

Hawker Demon of No.74 Squadron in Malta in September 1935, in the four-tone experimental upper surface scheme. Photo: Carmel J. AttardHawker Demon of No.74 Squadron in Malta in September 1935, in the four-tone experimental upper surface scheme. Photo: Carmel J. Attard

According to Webb-Carter, there were four types of war gases – choking (chlorine), tear, nose (poison smoke) and blister (mustard). The latter was the only gas likely to affect the civilian population. Being liquid, it could be delivered from aircraft in two ways – by bomb or by spraying.

In order to reinforce the garrison of the island, in September, the 14th Infantry Brigade, consisting of three battalions, was sent to Malta from the UK, as did the 2nd Anti-Aircraft Brigade Royal Artillery (RA). Major General Sir A.J. McCulloch arrived in Malta to become General Officer Commander (GOC) Troops. The GOC Troops appointment lapsed in August 1936 after the crisis subsided.

The coastal defences were partly manned and arrangements were made for a quick full manning if the occasion arose. Some 50 personnel from 1st Heavy Brigade RA, Plymouth, were attached to the coastal defences to assist with manning, especially on the range-finding system. On August 18, authorisation was given for the despatch of 16 Anti-Aircraft (AA) guns, 12 searchlights, 900 personnel to man the equipment, and additional personnel and ammunition for the coastal artillery. On August 23, orders were revived for the manning of AA sections on a war footing.

Savoia Marchetti SM.81. Photo: www.airwar.ruSavoia Marchetti SM.81. Photo: www.airwar.ru

Major General Sir A.J. McCullochMajor General Sir A.J. McCulloch

In September, the British War Office decided to reinforce Malta as a precaution in case Italy decided to invade Malta. The 14th Infantry Brigade, consisting of the 2nd Lincolnshire Regiment, the 2nd South Wales Borderers and the 1st King’s Own Scottish Borderers, arrived on September 28 as extra reinforcements. The regiments marched to RAF Kalafrana where they stayed in a hangar for the nine months’ duration of the Abyssinian Crisis.

Barbed wire surrounded all the island’s bays and inlets, and specially constructed boom defences guarded Grand Harbour. On October 15, some British Services and their families were evacuated from Malta.

Meanwhile, in September the Italian Regia Marina started using hired fishing boats in the Mediterranean. Their main aim was to control the narrow point of the Sicilian Channel, in the zone between Marsala and Sciacca and Cape Bon. They also established an observation point 40 miles to the east of Pantelleria, in the route across the channel to Malta. The aim was to observe all British shipping, both merchant and naval, towards the Middle East. Every Italian operation had to bear in mind the position of Malta. This operation lasted from September 28 to 11 November, and was restarted again the following year with increased interest.

[At] a lecture about the ‘Imaginary dangers of War Gas’[it was] said that to contaminate an area of 17 miles long by 12 wide, 8,000 tons of mustard gas would be required, which would necessitate the services of 1,500 aeroplanes

After the experience of poison gas attacks in World War I, precautions started being taken in case gas was used in the Abyssinian Crisis, before the Italian invasion of Ethiopia. In Malta, interest began to centre on anti-gas precautions, and orders were received for units to begin building gas decontamination centres near section positions and, where the resources allowed, of anti-gas accommodation.

By September 29, nearly all AA positions were ready for occupation and there only remained the question of improving the living conditions of the detachments. In January and February 1936 the Grand Harbour positions were reconstructed in stone.

Vickers Vildebeest Mk IIIs of No. 22 Squadron flying over Malta while based at Ħal Far airfield during the Abyssinian Crisis. Photo: Carmel J. AttardVickers Vildebeest Mk IIIs of No. 22 Squadron flying over Malta while based at Ħal Far airfield during the Abyssinian Crisis. Photo: Carmel J. Attard

In the summer of 1935, there was a threat of possible war between Britain and Italy. As a precaution, all Fleet Air Arm (FAA) aircraft at Ħal Far airfield were loaded onto HMS Glorious which sailed to the eastern Mediterranean. At the same time, a number of RAF units were sent to the Near East and the Mediterranean to strengthen local air strength.

On September 3, another batch of Hawker Demons were loaded on the merchant ship SS Maihar, and sailed from Southampton to Malta. After their arrival in Malta, the aircraft were taken to Ħal Far airfield, assembled, and started a continuous surveillance.

On November 14, the group of Hawker Demons at Ħal Far airfield formed No. 74 Squadron, under the command of Squadron Leader H.G. Crowe, and was reinforced by another unit. No. 22 Squadron consisting of Vickers Vildebeeste torpedo-bombers, which left the RAF airfield at Donibristle, Scotland, on October 3, 1935. After departing from Glasgow on board SS Cameronia the squadron personnel, under the command of Squadron Leader R.J.M. de St Leger, arrived in Grand Harbour on October 10 and went to Ħal Far airfield.

Royal Navy ships during the Silver Jubilee Fleet Review at Spithead, July 16, 1935. Photo: Maritimequest.comRoyal Navy ships during the Silver Jubilee Fleet Review at Spithead, July 16, 1935. Photo: Maritimequest.com

By October 22, the squadron of Vildebeest aircraft had been assembled and tested, and the squadron was able to begin a programme of offensive training. Simulated attacks on destroyers in the Malta area formed the main part of the task, which continued, interspersed with period of activity with No.74 Squadron Hawker Demons, until the following July.

On July 20, 1936, an order was received for the Vildebeest, apart from K4608, which has been destroyed in a fatal crash on June 5, to be dismantled and returned to the UK. By July 25 the aircraft had been moved to Kalafrana and before long the personnel followed, finally embarking on HMS Somersetshire on August 21 for a homeword voyage. This ended the 11-month-long connection of the Vildebeest with Ħal Far airfield.

At the same time the British started investing in fortifying the island. Apart from reinforcing existing fortifications, they started constructing concrete pillboxes, barbed wire entanglements and anti-aircraft batteries. This new defensive strategy of building pillboxes integrated the mobile regular forces and defended strong points.

The construction of pillboxes started at this time due to the threat of invasion. It is not insignificant that most of these field defences are distinguished by their neat and elaborate camouflage of rubble stone cladding and were very low. The first group of pillboxes were built in the northern part of the island because this was the most vulnerable part of Malta due to its exposed landing bays and lack of fortifications and coastal defences.

(To be concluded)

Charles Debono is curator of the National War Museum at Fort St Elmo.

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