Since the formation of No. 267 (Seaplane) Squadron at RAF (Royal Air Force) Kalafrana in 1918 up to the last operational RAF squadron (No.13, P.R) that left Malta in September 1978, this 60-year period will be remembered mostly for the role Malta played during the Second World War when the RAF defence aircraft in Malta helped to defeat the Axis air forces' attacks on the Maltese islands, which at times went on unabated.
During the Second World War, there were a number of airfields in operation in Malta - Ħal Far, Takali, Luqa, Safi, Qrendi and a temporary airstrip in Ta' Lambert, Xewkija, Gozo (opened in 1943). The typical runway was laid out to an A-shape and provided with steel-framed hangars, buildings with walls, a single brick thick and corrugated-iron Nissan huts.
Airfield landscape
The buildings of these military zone air force bases were scattered to minimise the effects of bombing. Anti-aircraft guns (light and heavy), searchlights, canteens/mess rooms, protective pens for aircrafts, blast walls and slit or caterpillar shelters were also part of the landscape.
Refuelling vehicles, ambulances and fire engines were also stationed in close proximity. There were also different types of stores such as technical for consumables (such as split pins, wire, nuts and bolts and all items that can only be used once), items for damaged or used items, small engine components and tools.
Training and maintenance of aircraft
The technical personnel underwent rigorous training which defined responsibilites of officers for the routine maintenance of engine equipment, aircraft components and ground equipment. Cycles of inspection were devised with log books and forms to keep such records in respect of coolants, fuel, oil and ground testing and other matters. Several drills in inspecting screws, meals, fuel and coolant systems, thermostat, tank repairs (bullet hole soldering) temporary and permanet airscrews were also designed.
Blenheim and spitfire oil sysems (Source: RAF course notebook)
Aircraft maintenance entailed periodical inspections to disclose the necessity for repairs or replacements due to normal wear or deterioration. These included:
- Minor inspections
- Major inspections
- Daily inspections
- Packing and unpacking of airraft
- Transporting
- Anti-corrosive treatment
Salvage and guarding of aircraft
When an aircraft ended up immersed in the sea, a procedure after salvage was put in motion. This entailed anti-corrosive treatment taken immediaely after salvage in respect of fabric, armaments, instruments, wireless, engines and light alloy components. Other matters of importance were the storage of engines, handling and starting aero engines, handling and taxying of aircraft.
Interesting to notice from notes taken during lectures is the procedure for guarding crashed aircraft. A guard was to be placed around all crashed aircraft to safeguard equipment and on enemy aircraft to safeguard intelligence. The military authorities placed guards, who had a list of persons authorised to inspect, repair or remove crashed aircraft.
Fire precauions and supervision at dispersal
This included precautions against fire when refuelling aircraft and supervision at aircraft dispersal areas. Dispersal is an area on a military installation designed primarily for the dispersal of parked aircraft, whereby such aircraft will be less vulnerable in the event of an enemy air raid.
Receptiles containing waste paper, oil rags or material impregnated with spirits, dope, varnish and paint were prolific sources of fire and it was desirable that only metal containers were used. The attention was called to sponaneous combustion and these containers were isolated and emptied on cessation of work for the day with care being taken in the method of disposal. The main fire extinguisher used was the Graviner fire extinuisher.
For instance the use of petrol in a workshop was permitted only for the cleaning of magneto parts during overhaul and only in quantitites of up to half a pint. Other rules were issued in respect to fuel tanks, acids, doping, alumino theremic soldering irons, sodium filled exhaust valves and the marking and identification of metals.
Security and enemy agents
NCOs (non-commissioned officers) were instructed on this important matter as to its being definite, vital and obligatory. Junior and senior NCOs had to be at all times watchful to prevent leakage of information which could be intentionally or accidentally conveyed to the enemy.
Enemy agents
These could be present at any time or in any place and be the most unsuspected of individuals, such as labourers, young girls, schoolchildren and even civilians and members of the forces on the RAF station.
The following were only a few of the many ways the NCOs could prevent agents obtaining information:
- Ensuring that secret and confidential orders and books were kept under lock and key and only shown to persons actually concerned with same. This included flight order books.
- Flight and Section offices were to be locked up when vacant.
- When on crash ground guard, the orders were to refuse to give anyone (even civil police) particulars about the aircraft, what it was engaged on and so on and no expression of opinion of how the accident happened.
- Aerodrome labourers, canteen staffs and works people of this type had no cause to know anything about aircraft or operations so they were to be told nothing.
- Prevention of unauthorised pesons inspecting aircraft, even looking into the cockpit.
- When travelling, personnel were discouraged from speaking about service matters which included informing strangers where one's destination was and one's section and so on.
- When in hotels, restuarants and so on, personnel were to have refreshments but not discuss about station, aircraft, offices or comrades.
- Prevention of the taking of photographs was the order and personnel were to report to their adjutant everyone who does.
As a measure to increase security and deter pilering, on 14 May 1942 four gibbets were erected around the perimeter of Takali airfield against pilfering. The controversial Order read: "A gibbet has been erected on the corner of the road leading to the caves. Any man, woman or child, civilian or service personnel found guilty of sabotage, theft or in any other way impeding the war effort and subsequently shot, will be hung from this gibbet as a warning to all others."
This DRO (Daily Routine Order) was never implemented in practice and it stirred up much debate and raised the ire and indignation among the Maltese civilian workers engaged on the airfield as the word spread like wildfire.
Information accidentally conveyed
When corresponding home with family and friends, staff at the airfield were discouraged to use such sentences:
- "The Spitfires we have now are much better than the old ones"
- "The staion is 'half empty' now, one squadron has just arrived"
- "Weather has been so bad, we have done no night flying for a month"
- "We have had lectures on musketry but no firing on the range"
When home on leave, airmen were discouraged from making conversations to show how important they were by boasting, such as telling old friends about one's latest spitfire.
Another warning was that when on embarkation leave, "informing everybody all about it" could react with fatal consequences on oneself and above all to one's comrades.
The following were instructions on:
What to do if you suspect persons or individual acts in a suspicious manner
On your station: Ask to see your adjutant or station commander or NCO in charge, service police privately and tell them all about it. Do this on even the slightest suspicion and do not be afraid of making a mistake.
The above will investigate and even if wrong, it will make the suspect security-minded by having his inquisitiveness investigated.
At home: The particulars of any persistent questions should be given to any policeman. NCOs were to impress the importance of security to all airmen they came in contact with and bring up those under their command to the same way of thinking.
Other important notes were given with regard to the following matters:
Supervision of staff
Control of men
- Use of NCOs' christian names
- Never indulge in continuous warnings
- Leading if possible
Fair and even distribution of work
- Have no favourites
- Never flag a willing horse
- Share evenly dirty and interesting work
Welding a team
- Creating a team spirit
- Pride in section
- Pride in aircraft
Supervision of technical work
- Thorough knowledge of aircraft or engine
- Showing a job
Praise - verbal and practical
- Praise for a job
- Time off
100% serviceability of leading to:
- Increased speed-up of work
- Ease of work for personnel concerned
- Happy contented technical team
Another motto adopted by personnel was: "Remember organisation breeds efficiency which in turn breeds success"
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