Remembrance Day 2024 was observed on Monday, 11 November. This day honoured and remembered the members of the armed forces who died in the line of duty during both world wars.

Since time immemorial, there was never a period of world peace or when the threat of war was not looming. The following overview emphasises the critical importance of a country's preparedness before hostilities arise, as failing to do so could lead to disastrous consequences for the nation involved.

Definition of war

The Oxford English Dictionary defines "war" as:

• a state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country;
• a state of competition or hostility between different people or groups; and
• a sustained campaign against an undesirable situation or activity.

Third World War

Currently, there are several conflicts taking place around the world that seriously threaten to plunge the world in a Third World War. The following are 10 ongoing conflicts: Gaza, Wider Middle East War, Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar, Ethiopia, The Sahel, Haiti; Armenia-Azerbaijan and US-China.

The importance of shelters

One of the key lessons wars teach is that the civilian population bears the brunt of hostilities. This brings forth the importance of warning systems and shelters to protect people. Malta does not have any nuclear bomb proof shelters. The idea to resurrect nuclear civil defence in response to the increasing threat of nuclear war should never be underestimated, especially now that the President of Russia has announced that the country is lowering its threshold on the use of nuclear weapons. In fact, Russia has started a mass production of mobile bomb shelters to protect its population against radiation and shockwaves.

Wartime Malta (1940-43)

Underground bunkers (shelters) are the main source of protection during wartime bombing. Shelters proved their worth during the Second World War Malta, when many lives were saved as the population sought refuge and protection in them.

At the outset of hostilities in 1940, Malta was caught unprepared. No fighter planes were available for the defence of the islands and the same applied to shelter excavation. Taking cover from bombardments was not yet a safe measure as adequate shelter against enemy bombing was practically non-existent.

During the first days of the war, at the sound of the air raid warning, the population sought improvised ways to shelter. These afforded little or no protection and were done mainly out of ignorance about the high-calibre bombs and because no other alternative way of sheltering existed. For instance, many took to the streets and sheltered beneath the arches of large and high buildings in the vicinity. Others remained in their homes and hid under wooden tables or in rooms that had stone arches and vaults, while others went down in cellars with arched ceilings. Those who lived close to a church or convent would run inside these places as the walls were double in thickness. The residents of Valletta utilised the railway tunnel carved into the rock or else in the surrounding ditches between the bastion walls. Even burial vaults were used as a means of sheltering.

Soon after, the government assigned architects to advise owners where and how to find the best places to seek shelter during an air-raid. In one instance, an architect suggested that a homeowner place a table reinforced with mattresses and wooden beams. This table would then be positioned between the walls of a narrow staircase to serve as a shelter underneath. Apart from the wailing of air-raid sirens, the local Rediffusion would announce air-raid warnings through the familiar voice of one of its presenters, Effie Ciantar.

Soon after these crude and rudimentary measures of sheltering, public shelters were dug in earnest. Initially, garage-like structures were constructed with double thick walls and with thick concrete roofs, which were further strengthened with heavy wooden pillars and beams. Still, these measures were not considered safe enough against high-calibre aerial bombing.

A drive to dig shelters

As a result, the government, assisted by the Admiralty, assigned workers to dig rock-hewn shelters for the public. These shelters resembled catacombs with long corridors about 50 metres long and about two metres high. The entrance to these shelters was by means of a stairway (sometimes a spiral one) from the street above. The local population often lend a hand in the digging because the process was a lengthy one and the work had to be completed quickly.

Soon enough, more corridors were dug at the sides of the corridors, and these were connected to other shelters in the vicinity to increase the number of places for sheltering. More entrance and emergency exits were dug, in case of any blockages due to fallen debris. Some folks also took the initiative to dig a shelter through their home as a quick passage for sheltering, while others dug a cubicle for their personal use.

Over time, people became accustomed to using the same shelter, returning to their familiar spots in the long corridors, which eventually felt like a second home. At the wailing of the air-raid siren, young and old alike carried a small stool or box, apart from other belongings which they used as seating in the shelter.

During an air-raid, people recited the rosary and other prayers and when the raid ended, they made their way back home. No sooner they were back upstairs, the air-raid warning would sound again, and they would have to return following the same routine. This happened more than once during the day and in several instances even during the night.

Makeshift bedding

Some air raids lasted so long that people ended up spending many hours in the shelters. People sought rest on improvised beds made of straw mattresses placed upon wooden planks or empty beer or soft drinks boxes. Bedsheets and blankets were used as cover.

The use of makeshift bunkbeds also became a popular sight. The bunkbeds rested upon iron poles which were inserted in the walls. Others, who could afford it, made use of portable folding canvas beds which were more comfortable. Carrying stools, bedsheets, covers and even chairs was a hassle. These items could not be left in the shelter due to the dripping water and humidity and had to be carried back and forth.

For lighting, oil lamps, candles, paraffin and hurricane lamps were used in the early stages of the war. Thereafter, electricity was installed. So much time was spent in the shelters that a sense of community was created, and the feeling was of one big family. People shared both joy and grief. This sense of solidarity helped in no small way in overcoming the hardships and pain of those difficult times.

In some shelters close to residences, a school was set up where children were taught Christian doctrine. A tabernacle was also dug in the walls to provide for Sacramental Blessings.

Now might be the ideal time for the government to initiate a civil defence programme aimed at reopening shelters, not only as interactive museums (as has been done with many restored shelters) but, more importantly, as part of a contingency plan to safeguard the population in the event of a nuclear world war.

Anthony Zarb Dimech is the author of 'Taking Cover - A History of Air Raid Shelters: Malta - 1940-43' (2001) and also 'Mobilisation in Action - A History of Civil Defence - Malta 1940-43' (2003)