Two Word War II veterans of the Santa Marija Convoy came to Malta this week to attend a commemoration of Operation Pedestal, which took place 65 years ago. The commemoration took place on Tuesday evening at Grand Harbour, when they cast flowers into the sea as a sign of homage to the arrival of the convoy that provided the Maltese with crucial supplies of food and fuel.
The two veterans are Jim Hutchison and Allan Shaw. Mr Hutchison was on the HMS Phoebe, which did not manage to get to Malta, while Mr Shaw was on the SS Ohio, which provided the Maltese with the needed supplies. (See editorial on page seven and commemorative feature inside).
Also taking part in Tuesday’s event were members of the Malta Command Living History Group, who depicted a firing party from the 3rd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Royal Malta Artillery.
The Malta Command Living History Group has, up till now, depicted a Bofors gun crew, but an infantry unit is to be set up in the near future to commemorate and depict the King’s Own Malta Regiment.
Much research goes into the procurement of weapons and equipment from various local and overseas suppliers, to ensure that every member of the group is equipped exactly as the war-time servicemen used to be.
It has also proved to be quite expensive for each member to buy a rifle, bayonet, boots, helmet and a whole range of summer and winter uniforms. It also takes dedication to attend the various training sessions, which are held at Ta’ Qali by
permission of the Director General of the Malta Aviation Museum.
On 21 September 1939, just after the beginning of World War II, the 11th Regiment, Royal Malta Artillery was formed as a Territorial Anti-Aircraft Regiment composed of two Heavy and one Light Batteries.
The former were 20 and 21 Batteries, while the latter was 22 Battery, armed with 10 Bofors 40mm guns.
On 18 March 1941, the first and only RMA Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment was formed. The 3rd Light AA Regiment RMA took under its wings 22 Battery, as well as 30 Battery, formerly known as the Dockyard Defence Battery. The other battery making up the Regiment was the newly-formed 10 Battery.
Lt Colonel E.J. Salomone was the first commanding officer, retaining the post for the duration of the war
The 3rd Light AA Regiment, RMA was disbanded at the end of the war, only to be reformed in September 1951 as a Territorial Regiment, along with the 11th Heavy AA Regiment.
When the British Army eventually switched to guided missiles for defence against high-altitude aircraft, the 11th Heavy AA was converted into a Light AA Regiment.
On 14 June 1966, the two regiments were amalgamated to form the 3rd/11th Light Air Defence Regiment RMA, as part of the post-Independence Malta Land Force.
A few years later, on 31 March 1972, the regiment was again disbanded.