The early 1950s saw the ascension of Queen Elizabeth to the throne of England and her first visit in that capacity to Malta on 3 May 1954.  The 1950s were marked by many of the world powers losing their colonies. It was argued that people had fought for freedom during the Second World War and felt that empires could no longer be justified by holding other nations in bondage. For that matter empires were breaking up. The seeds for independence from foreign military presence in Malta were also taking firm roots.

The post-war period saw the beginnings of the Cold War. By the end of the Second World War, the Soviet Union and the USA were much more powerful than any other state and became known as the Superpowers. They never actually went to war directly with each other, but for many years the fear of the Third Wold War was present as the tensions and accusations between the two Superpowers did not abate. This eventually paved the way to a nuclear arms race.

Left: Pilots of the 78 Fighter Wing, (Back Row) Hunt, DFC: P/O, V. Osborn, DFO; F. Jordan; F/O B. Nicolls, DFO, J. Meyers, DFM; P/O J. Jacobs: V. Pennefather; P/O R. Jones; P/O C. Sly, DFM; P/O B. Weymouth; P/O K. Meggs, DFM; (Front Row) F/O R. Fairweather; F/Lt. S. Bradford, DFC; S/Ldr D. Hurdich; S/Ldr J. Adams, DFC, AFC; G/C. B. Eaton DSO, DFC; S/Ldr. G.T Newstead; S/Ldr K. Andrews; F/Lt. W. Horsman DFC; F/O L. Reading, DFC

Malta, during this period, did not pride itself of the social services it presently enjoys. These were hard times when Malta was still an infant nation seeking to loosen its colonial ties with Britain. Industrialisation was still in its initial stages and the poorer segments of the population were having it hard, with employment mainly directed in the war efforts of the British Colonial and military presence.

It was a time of cultural changes as the Maltese nation opened itself to the trends of international popular culture. This led to the authoritarian Church's and the State losing its grip on the minds of the population. The year 1953 also saw the epic film, The Malta Story being shot in Malta.

The RAAF had already proved extremely helpful in the defence of Malta during the Second World War but this was done as part of the Royal Air Force (RAF). In fact, the 78 (F) Wing deployment in Malta was the first time that Australia had members of its forces on Malta. Originally based in Ħal Far, the 78 (F) Wing was moved to Ta' Qali during 1953.

The recent discovery of a box of RAF 6½x 8½" official photos and other documents from the Directorate of Public Relations of the RAAF sheds light on the activities of the No. 78 Fighter Wing between 1952 and 1954.

Left: Menu of Farwell Dinner (Officers Mess, Ta’ Kali) for Group Captain and Mrs B. A. Eaton, Commanding Officer of 78 (F) Wing (27 August 1954). Right: Invitation to a Cocktail Party on the occasion of Anzac day 1954

Consisting of four squadrons, No. 78 (F) Wing was under the command of Wing Commander Brian Eaton. After the Second World War, No. 78 (F) Wing was re-established in January 1949. It became the first wing in the RAAF to equip with jet aircraft.

It is noted that the presence in Malta of military aircraft added to the risk of air crashes and accidents over and around Malta's territorial waters. A timeline of these accidents and others can be viewed at www.aviationinmalta.com.

One particular incident described in www.aviationinmalta.com involved the No. 78(F) Wing. This took place on 8 January 1954, when a GI. Meteor (MK. VII) of the RAAF with serial number WH 220 stalled after take-off from RAF Ta' Qali, fell back to the runway and continued along the runway. At the end of the runway, the aircraft hit a mound of earth, flipped over on its back, bursting into flames. The rear seat occupant, Leading Aircraftman Maxwell James Hennessy, was killed when his head hit a large rock when the aircraft flipped over.

Debris and tyre marks of meteor accident

The 78 (F) Wing took part in numerous military exercises and training camps both in Malta and abroad. The following are some of the activities during 78 (F) Wing's stay in Malta:

• On 26 November 1952, Prince Philip returned to Malta to present the Regimental colours to No. 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines at Floriana. His aircraft was an Elizabethan and was escorted in by six Vampires of the 78 (F) Wing.
• On 25 April 1953, Squadron Leader, G. T Newstead laid a wreath for 78 (F) Wing during the Anzac Service at the War memorial.
• The first two RAAF officers received decorations in Malta for their service in Korea at a special investiture at the Palace Valletta. The two pilots were: F/O Bob Hunt, DFC and P/O John Meyers, DFM.
• On the Commonwealth Air Forces Memorial at Floriana, there are listed members of the Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and the RAAF. A small number of South African pilots and three men from British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) are also listed. Every year the 78 (F) Wing laid wreaths at this monument.
• During their three-year stay in Malta the 78 Fighter Wing was in England from Malta, to take part in the Royal air Force Review by the Queen on 15 July.
• The 78 (F) Wing also took part in joint exercises by aircraft of the RAF and RNZAF.

In 2002, Australian air force veterans marked the 50th anniversary of the deployment of No. 78 (F) Wing of the RAAF to Malta. Interestingly, the local Sunday Times newspaper of 23 November 1952 carried an Australian supplement in its issue, titled Meet the Aussies of Malta.

On 4 January 1963, Ta' Qali, (known by the RAF as Ta' Kali), closed down following a decision to concentrate all military flying at Luqa airfield.

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