CEASELESS RAIDS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 290, 5 September 1942, Page 4

CEASELESS RAIDS

Woman’s Story Of Life In

Malta

PEOPLE KEEP CHEERFUL

It is a strange life we lead in Malta, writes a woman correspondent of the London “Dally Telegraph.” Nowhere is there an escape from the scream or diving Stukas, from the whine of falling bombs. Neither day nor night comes peace- Not even in the remotest village. All are battle-scarred 'but cheerUp and down to the deep rock shelters which are the salvation of the island, we scurry like rabbits to their burrows when bombers are overhead. At other times we are brave and spellbound. After so many raids one becomes expert at observing where the puffs of the exploding shells are in the sky, and from the direction of the barrags can determine where the main attack is coming off. If you decide to watch it can be very exciting. You see the Junkers aeroplanes approaching, great black birds. The sight makes one’s bloodboil. They go through the barrage, release their bombs and rejoin the swarm of escorting Messerschmitts. They have been coming over in large numbers, and it is most alarming to count them. The bombs can be clearly seen as they glint in the sunshine, then, after a few secofids comes a deafening explosion, doors rattle, latches come off, glass breaks, and the target area is covered with enormous columns of smoke and a thick fog of dust. • •

After about half an hour of this, as they come in in waves each time, there is a cessation of guns, and bombs, except for the Messerschmitts which remain to observe results. Then you carry on with your breakfast or lunch and wonder who has got it this time. .. You go about your business, and A.R.P., Civil Defence and hospitals go about theirs.

It is just an interlude. They will come again soon enough, make no mistake. They are running a shuttle service to and fro and massed raids interspersed with nuisance raids. Our consolation is that each time they come, many have made their last flight. The K.A.F. and our anti-aircraft batteries see. to that.