Luqa

Luqa was the largest airfield on Malta in WWII. Aircraft types operating from this base included just about every type on Malta including bombers, fighter bombers, torpedo, fighters etc. It was the first airfield in Malta to have a hard surface, all the others were grass/dirt which would become muddy in wet weather (winter). In these circumstances it was difficult to operate & all operational aircraft were moved to Luqa which made this a busy airfield.

S.H.Q.Armoury, Luqa, January 1944.
F/O Pendlebury, W/O Mitchell.
Photo courtesy of Louise Dardart.

Sparks, Christmas 1942. McGreaty, Tug Williams, "Bagy" f/sgt Bagshaw. Mary f/o Newman, "Bo" f/sg Livings, Silent Knight, Gauchi, Ron Share, Cyril Leak, Jack Collins, Pedler Palmer, Miss Higson "Peggy" Jim Pegram, Thompson, Geordie Scott, Bertie Bancroft, Darkie Hunt, Warnes Cormrana.
Photo courtesy of John Pearson.

Luqa sports day easter monday 1943, Flt Sgnt (Baggy) Bagshaw,
Flt Sgnt (Boe) Livings, Cpl (Tug) Wilson.
. Photo courtesy of John Pearson.

1435 Squadron Electrical section.(Luqa & Safi)
Sgt Bruce, Cpl Ainsworth, Cpl Keith, Cpl Pearson,
Lec McCurley, Lec Mitchel, Lec Eflitt,
Lec Beardsworth, Lec Creamfew, Ac Anderson.
Photo courtesy of John Pearson.

Concert party, October 14th, Luqa.
Bill Buttons (Bass), J.R.Strong (Mouthorgan), Dave (Connie) O'Connell (Harmonica),
Bing Bates (Vocals), P.Dardart (Drums), Wildes (writing on photo unclear)(Piano accordian),
Bill Vedrran (writing on photo unclear)(Piano), Jack Hidi (Fiddle), Willie Mathers (Banjo),
Jock Assach (writing on photo unclear) (Fiddle), John Crawford (Chorester), R.F.Gillett (Harmonica).
Photo courtesy of Louise Dardart.

Permit to work on Luqa 1942.

An air raid shelter was dug at the end of the runway which was used by personnel & civilians during 1941/42. An air raid scored a direct hit on this shelter reportedly killing hundreds of people.

Photo courtesy of Arthur Pannell

Squadrons based at Luqa included:-

126 Squadron (Spitfires)
601 County of London Squadron
105 Squadron (Beaufighters)
69 Squadron (Reconnaissance)

Army Units stationed
Royal West Kents
The Buffs

The army worked on filling bomb craters up during the night under lamps.

69 Squadron was a photo Reconnaissance
unit. Pilots included Harry Coldbeck (New Zealand) & Adrian Warburton (Alec Guinness' role in the film Malta Story was undoubtedly based on Warburton). He died on a mission to southern Germany on 12th April 1944.

Photos of Fort Luqa taken by Keith Chambers in 2006.
Keith's unit is 106th (Yeomanry) Regiment, RA (Volunteers)

The offical MOD site is: http://www.army.mod.uk/106regtrav/

These are the 4 Heavy Anti Aircraft guns featured in the video 'Guns for Malta'.
See Video/literature link on the left.

Old water tower.

Parade ground Fort Luqa. Above guns on right.

Astra building.

Mobile Anti Aircraft guns.

Italian Mission building.