DEFENCE OF MALTA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 July 1940, Page 8

DEFENCE OF MALTA

ISLAND PEOPLE TAKING ACTIVE PART RESULTS OF ITALIAN RAIDS. LITTLE MILITARY DAMAGE. (British Offiicial Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.17 a.m.) RUGBY. July 24. Most of the 80 air raids made on Malta since the outbreak of war have been by day, but a few were made by night and both high explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped, with a I few machine-gun attacks. At the beginning of the war, civilian casualties were comparatively heavy but with a growing knowledge of the need to take cover, they have markedly diminished. A great majority of the casualties have been civilian. This does not imply that the Italians have deliberately bembed non-military objectives, bu shows that when seeking military ob jectives they are forced to fly high by British anti-aircraft fire and fighter activity. Damage certainly has been done to Malta by Italian bombs, but it is authoritatively stated that the damage to military objectives is slight. Anti-air-craft batteries have played a full part and are estimated to have accounted for two of the twelve Italian machines brought down and for four of the nine severely damaged. Besides the British garrison, there are a large number of Maltese troops who have played a considerable and successful part in the defence of the island. The Royal Maltese Artillery has been expanded with anti-aircraft as well as coast defence batteries, while one battery for the first time in history has gone from the island to the Middle East. The King's Own Malta Regiment of Infantry has done well and there also exists an organisation similar to the British Home Guard. Many Maltese are also serving in naval patrol vessels. Thus the Maltese are making every use of their own man-power in defence of the island and. by obviating the necessity of sending more British troops, are materially assisting the Empire war effort.