my-malta.com ... presents Real Life Wartime Experiences A section from "That's Interesting!?" covered in my-malta.com . It would be immensely appreciated if you can quote our website when making reference to any material provided herein, so as to promote this site with your friends and contacts.   Thank you for visiting us regularly. Our main doorway is: http://www.my-malta.com Our 'recent' history doorway is: http://www.my-malta.com/history/main_AD2.htm or, alternatively: http://www.my-malta.com/interesting/main.html   1927 Funeral March -- Governor Congreve R.M.A. band led by Drum Major Anth.Darmanin Malta's Gunners John Zammit & Vincent Attard at Bubaqra Battery (nr Hal Far / Luqa Airfields) Sgt. Thomas Barker with RAF & FAA men Kalafrana & Hal Far Italian battleship at anchor in Maltese waters Capitulation of the enemy fleet Sgt.J.Darmanin -- R.M.A. Good Conduct and Long Service Medals Malta G.C. Malta -- In The Way Message Boards Stationed at Malta That's Interesting !? Towns & Villages Our Rich History At Your Service Resources Page Maltese People View Guest Book Special Features E-Mail us   What they remembered Everyone did their best and the whole nation was awarded the George Cross, at a time when it was all too easy to give up.   The people and the garrison on the Maltese Islands persisted beyond the threat of starvation and with little or no ammunition left to defend our skies, but their 'heroism and devotion' earned the Maltese Islands great recognition, to say the least. This section contains links to a few short biographies and interesting anecdotes from Malta's WW2 years as well as from other times.   Each article contains its own distinct photographs. Other anecdotes may be found in our Stationed at Malta listings. Also not to be missed is our splendid WW2 jounal, which is a 'real-time' account of events as they were actually happening!   It is distinct from recollections of what may have occured many years before in that Sgt. Barker's war diary was written without any intent to glorify or diminish the importance of what was truly happening over Malta.   Some events were terrifying, while others may have been elating. But each carried a dose of saddness from being away from one's family at a time of uncertainty and suffering.   A word of caution, though: this must be read with maturity and historic interest. Sergeant Barker also gave us a first-hand account of the Surrender of the Italian battle fleet at Malta, during which operation he was directly involved in decommissioning Italian aircraft and weaponry. This is another truly masterful account, thanks to his son Laurence Barker's transcript. Articles: Sgt. John Mason; searching for a family's "Malta Story" (1915) Drum Major Anthony Darmanin RMA, served: 1905-36 Gunner Carmelo Rizzo RMA, "A Family's History" Sgt. George Allen, who served at Malta 1941-43 Sgt. Joseph Darmanin RMA, served: 1936-64 Charles Gruppetta; War comes to Malta -- June 1940 Gunner John Zammit   "And the War was fast upon us" see also John's War Album Gunner Giuseppe Bonnici   a WW1 period Ammo fatality Gunner James J. Magro   "Innocent victims of a cruel war" see also Jim's War Album Airman Joe Cali' Warrington Back to Malta ... by Convoy Sgt. Thomas Barker's Malta Diary; 1941-1943 see also his Surrender of the Italian Fleet Ted Saunders 'Under Fire', RAF Ta Kali, 1941-43 Edgar Percy Smeeton Royal Navy (1913); picture page R.M.A. Sgt. Roger Borg, later R.N., a biography. more stories to follow   —   visit also the links below: Introduction to our History Pages The George Cross Sir Winston Churchill; famous words Some of history's Protagonists; 19th & 20th cent. World War Two; an overview -- under constr. Return to My-Malta-Home