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RAF Sergeant
Thomas Barker, BEM
World War Two Diary
1941 to 1943
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introduced and transcribed by Lawrence M. Barker
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content: Lawrence M, Barker © 2004
editing: my-malta.com © 2004
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WAR TIME MALTA DIARY
1941-1943
(Abridged Version)
RAF Sgt.Thomas Barker *529747*
828 Squadron, Hal-Far
transcribed from the original Diaries
by Lawrence M Barker BA(Hons), MCIWEM
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Part Six
August - October 1942
1 Aug
Rather uneventful day - few raids & I've had another Beaufort pushed
on to me now. Charlie Dalton & I went to Hamrun to try & get our sandals
- no joy yet.
2 Aug
Crikey! the old games again - fighter bombers! the bombs were down
on the drome before the Camp warning went. Lofty & I went to the Evening
Church Service.
3 Aug
Buzzes going round about Convoy's again - had some duff gen from Hal-Far
as usual - Charlie & I went to Qormi & I fetched my shirts - we loaded
ourselves with Melons & plums.
4 Aug
Well things are gradually leading towards something - 36 Beauforts
& 6 Wimpey's going to operate, & we are going to form 'B' Sqdn. Bags
of panic when I came back from the round table, aha! Scott was like
a cat on hot bricks.
5 Aug
More gen about the Convoy? I guess I'll believe it when I see it.
I remember the last ones too well - The convoy can't be too big for
the islands' relief. Went to Hamrun with Charlie & racketeered tobacco
for sandals. I eventually wound up at the C&P.O's.
6 Aug
Nothing startling about the new Sq'dn' routine as yet - the Flt/Sgt
i/c came down to the office & had a chat - Lofty & I went to Hamrun
& had a run at Tombola. Had a bit of excitement coming back, had a
little gang of Malts after us.
7 Aug
Busy day today - split the detachment up & then I had the trip to
Hal Far, Birzi & then afterwards went to Valetta. Sent a cable to
home. Bought a pocket watch, played Tombola in the mess.
8 Aug
Started to work with the new Beauforts in 'B' Sqdn. All must be on
the top line for the 'flap' - if this convoy doesn't get through we're
'Cable dos'. Went to see the local talent in the Concert Hall - it
was fine too.
9 Aug
Getting organized up the "strip" nowadays - found a place in Kirkop
to get a decent cup of tea during the morning - Hell of a lot of walking
to be done around this joint. Went to the Service with Lofty in the
evening.
10 Aug
Getting 'warm' now - the first Beaufort strike is already at immediate
stand-by - Lofty & I did the first tour of duty - with Jerry for company
in a hell of a fierce night raid. He dropped his flares well away
from the target though. Finally quietened down at midnight.
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Rome, "Voce d'Italia" newspaper:
"So long as the Island of Malta remains in British hands with the possibility of adequate supplies, it can again become an instrument for a British offensive."
'MALTA Diary of a War -- 1940-1945'
Michael Galea (PEG Ltd, 1992) |
11 Aug
Started work at 3.30 am - had the afternoon off - had a shock when
I was told that PW JONES had been killed by a Bren carrier - must
check his kit before the stuff is rifled. Had all the gen about the
convoy from a spit pilot off the Argus. The Vic - Indom - Rodney -
Nelson - Eagle - Kenya are all there with the largest convoy that
has ever arrived in the MED for Malta - & do we need it too. Crikey!
the first bit of bad news so far - the Eagle has caught it up from
a U Boat. I'm afraid that there'll be even bigger losses yet.
12 Aug
Well we're on the top line with our Beauforts - worked another 12
hrs today - plenty of activity - the Convoy must be very close to
Pantelleria now. Its getting pretty definite about the EAGLE now.
Hell! the activity on LUQA 'drome is amazing - it's a non-stop effort
to get the Convoy well in & catered for. I checked P.W. Jones kit
this morning, I daresay the Funeral Service will be short & sweet
- we've no time to send a Party, & the body's not kept any longer
than a day. A Bren Gun Carrier did it apparently - I don't seem to
hear the warnings at night now - s'funny.
13 Aug
Bags of activity again, but the 'Iti' Fleet has decided not to risk
it - the Convoy arrived OK, minus one or two ships sunk & others to
be towed in - the Malts are as cheerful as hell now - the swindling
shower! Jerry daren't risk the 'Spits'.
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" ... the Times of Malta report [14 August] on the coming of the convoy contained these words: 'Malta feels humble in the presence in our harbour of the ships of the Mercantile Marine ... If the feelings of the people could be expressed in simple action, Malta's George Cross would be nailed to the mast of every ship in harbour.' Malta understood."
"The Brisbane Star arrived at midday on the 14th and the tanker Ohio limped slowly in another day later, early on the 15th, supported by the destroyers Penn and Bramham. Her coming coincided with the Feast of the Assumption and the end of a nine-days period of prayer to Santa Marija..."
Malta, The Triumphant Years, 1940-43
by George Hogan, 1978
publ: Robert Hale,Lon
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14 Aug
There's something very queer about this Convoy business - it seems
as though we've lost at least a half of it - the 'Manchester' has
gone down too. Lofty & I had a night out & went to the C&POs - The
Beaus got two at R.p.n.
15 Aug
After all the panic for scores of Beauforts it seems as though they're
not to be used after all - we were stood down at noon. The Spits are
still nipping to & fro the Island - where?? A party of us went ashore
to play Tombola.
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"In Malta, we were unaware of this naval saga unfolding itself a few hundred miles from our beleagured shores.
"It was the Italian radio station that gave us the first inkling of what the convoy was going through. According to the Italians, they had sunk more vessels and warships than there were actually sailing with the convoy! The arrival of Pedestal was no longer a closely guarded secret..."
from
'Raiders Passed'
author: Charles B.Grech,
transl. Joseph Galea Debono
(publ: Midsea Books, 1998)
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16 Aug
Had a change today from the usual walking around - I had an Army truck
to drive round, OK too. Did Duty N.C.O. today too with the Beauforts,
but there's not much doing - it seems as though the Convoy flap is
over.
17 Aug
The Beauforts had a strike today - sank an M.V. off Pantellaria. No
kites were lost in the action although some were damaged. I went over
to Hal-Far, still as dead as ever - Chats Harris is on the 'home'
list now. Had a trip out to Hamrun for a spot of Tombola.
18 Aug
It seems as though I'm to stay in this Beaufort 'do' indefinitely
now - apparently we're going to reform 86 Sqdn & my Naval Detachment
is going to take over one Flight of 10 A/C. Had some trouble with
a Transit Kite.
19 Aug
Saw the new organization today with a Flt/Sgt Jones in charge. Quite
a stormy Messing Meeting with resulting parges of various racketeers.
Lofty & I did duty & we were darned busy getting ready for a dawn
strike.
20 Aug
Went to Hamrun again but didn't have any luck with the Tombola. Still
waiting for the final set-up for the new Sqdn. The Beauforts missed
their target today - one of my kites was choca with blood.
21 Aug
W/Cmdr Gibbs (39 Sqdn) fixed the ship the Sqdn missed yesterday. We
lost one kite. I stood by until 9.30 & talk about rain, it absolutely
threw it down all day. Thundered & lightening all the time.
22 Aug
All the gen at last about N.A.S. Excepting personnel enough for one
Sqdn all the remainder are being sent either home or M.E. according
to service here - & I've a darned good idea that I'm staying - still
I reckon I could do worse. Went to Hamrun ODEON not a bad 'do' at
all.
23 Aug
Plenty of work today with u/s kites etc, eventually ending up at about
6.0 pm. Believe me, I certainly put some hours in at this place -
all the lads are sweating on the top line about the gen concerning
drafts from the N.A.S.
24 Aug
Duty today, started at 7.30 & worked continuously until midnight.
The Sqdn went out on a strike an damn well missed the target with
9 tinfish - they're as poor as ???? I guess I'll have the day off
tomorrow.
25 Aug
After seeing to various things at the office at 6.0 am - 7.30 am I
packed my hand in - had a nice easy morning reading etc. & got my
head down in the afternoon - Jerry still sends his fighters over here.
26 Aug
At last! stood down at 4.0 pm. enabling everyone to get an evening
off for a change. I more or less had to get the A/C serviceability
myself. Well all the lads know now where they're going - but when??
Apparently Soper - Ging & myself remain.
27 Aug
Crikey, a hell of a sharp raid during the night with 87's groning
about. The whole fireworks display opened up. Bofors & Light stuff,
he dropped plenty around Luqa. I clicked for a 'strike' again - 8
Beauforts but nevertheless they spitchered an Iti Convoy - The 'Spits'
had a day out over Sicily, strafed hell out of it.
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Excerpt from a broadcast message from
Lord Gort, 28 August 1942:
"Recently we have seen four merchant ships and an oiler reach Malta; this represented the largest number of ships which has arrived in the Grand Harbour since September last year ... We are also conscious that, when so many have risked so much and when so many lives have been lost to bring supplies to us from Britain, we also have a duty to perform ourselves.
"These convoys are very hazardous operations, and, were we to be improvident about the supplies which have reached us, we would do a real disservice not only to those who dared all to succour us, but also to ourselves. It is our bound duty to eke out our available stores to carry us forward as far as possible on the road to victory ...
"Convoys, such as this last convoy, are magnificient achievements, but they cannot be constatnly repeated, and we must now steel ourselves to last out until a new target date..."
'MALTA Diary of a War -- 1940-1945'
Michael Galea (PEG Ltd, 1992) |
28 Aug
Took the day off today & had rather a pleasant time - doing nothing
except laze around in the morning - & that's a luxury nowadays for
me - Had a trip to Valletta after some lace - it's scarce nowadays.
Nothing eventful happened during the day.
29 Aug
Apparently old Speers didn't like the idea of my having a day off
- still, if he thinks I'm going to do a 24 hrs duty without time off
he's mistaken. I did quite a lot of chasing around the pens today
& was it hot! The Camp Concert was good again.
30 Aug
Duty again, & another strike - the Sqdn did a nice job off Taranto
- sunk a Tanker & brought most of their torps back. I packed up eventually
at 10 pm. Charlie & Lofy have been chased by Speers.
31 Aug
Went to Hal Far today & checked up on my old billet; I rather think
that I'll be living there again soon. Went to Hamrun earlier in the
evening with Charlie & played Tombola - but no joy.
aircraft 'pen' at Luqa airfield
1 Sep
Bags of walking about to do in the dispersals, but it wasn't so bad
today, a bit cooler. I packed my hand in at tea time & Charlie caught
it up with two new Beauforts arriving from Gib. I went to the Camp
Cinema - such as it is - what a wrap up! - It's about time some mail
came through too.
2 Sep
Chiefie Jones had the day off today & as a result I had the Flight
more or less on my own, & I clicked for duty too - I had a bit of
a duty too - worked until 9.0 pm & all to no use because two pilots
were windy of the trip to M.E.
3 Sep
Hell, this food I'm certain will be playing hell with the majority
of Island - every damn thing in a tin - & does some of it taste lousy.
Went down to Qormi to collect my battle dress before the winter comes
along. Saw the 'Gut' Variety show in Camp ie. 'Levy Wines' show -
they were grim.
4 Sep
Still no news from Hal Far about these drafts - now that the Libya
'do' has started I guess it'll be a long time before they go. Beauforts
went on a strike last night & found nothing - but the old Albacores
are still crushing the tin fish in OK.
5 Sep
At last we've managed to get some sort of a system in the Flight,
at least it's relieved me of some of the 'cans' I've been carrying
- in three sub-flights now, I'm 'C' flight again. I started the new
system & I think Lofty will have to pull his finger out tomorrow in
view of a probable big strike.
6 Sep
After a fairly easy time today I had my first day off - quite convenient
too since the Sqdn went on a 'shaky' strike. They all returned minus
a couple after a hellish trip - every kite was shot up & quite a few
casualties including one A.G. killed - old Lofty clicked for it O.K.
I went up to Sliema to the C&P.O's.
7 Sep
Crikey, the weather is still damned hot, especially when hiking around
the Luqa desert. There's a hell of a lot of work after yesterday's
strike. Packed up at 5.0 pm, quite a change. These rations haven't
improved much even though we have got a Convoy in.
8 Sep
Duty today but luckily there wasn't much doing. I don't think Sub
Lt Lamb went anything on my letter to Marg. Hal-Far is as dead as
a graveyard these days, but I don't think that I'd mind very much
going back - especially if we get lights again.
9 Sep
Talk about being dead beat, I certainly was this afternoon - had my
afternoon off on my bed; it's a treat to be able to lie peacefully
anyway, Jerry doesn't come around so often nowadays. I'll take a peke
at the Fly Gang tonight.
10 - 11 - 12 - 13 Sep
Missed writing in the 'throw-back' period I've just gone through -
I reckon I let myself down, played cards practically continuously
for days. It certainly won't happen again. Except for getting one
or two A/C away to M.E. we're not doing much flying - weather is getting
a bit cooler now.
14 Sep
Jerry is warming up to his raids again, I wonder whether they're just
fighter sweeps or preparations for a repetition of last years 'do'.
Hell! except for newcomers here everyone of these blokes are dreading
the coming of the winter - no fuel, no fruit or veg. no fresh meat
etc. etc. etc.
15 Sep
Finished my duty today, not much doing though, except that S/Ldr A.
had a purge on the Camp, collared a shower of Air Crew gambling, stupid
too I think - what else on this place is there for an Air Crew to
do - played cards myself until 1.30 am.
16 Sep
Hm! Hm! I wonder why Jerry is increasing his raids. Fighters chiefly
but then, that's how he started last time. The new C.O. came into
our Mess in the evening & among other things told us that we were
in for a most depressing winter - telling us!
17 Sep
Still very quiet around here - no possibilities of a 'strike' with
our kites - plenty of 'buzzes' about concerning drafts. The lads here
are not looking forward to the winter - same with the Malts.
18 Sep
The winter must be flashing on to us pretty quickly - it rained practically
all day - I cycled to Hal-Far & then to Birzi - started the wheels
moving in Accts Sect. for my Allotment increase - must clear my kit
away from there after my cupboard was broken into.
19 Sep
Sweating on a 'shakey' strike today - it wasn't until the afternoon
that the 'sweat' stopped. I hope something gets at that convoy of
'Itis' though. I went to Valetta this morning & sent Margo a Cable
& £8 for her birthday. The R.W.K's gave a darned good show in the
Cinema in the evening.
20 Sep
Did another duty again today, only I must say that they are very easy
now as compared with what they were. The strike didn't materialize
after all - the 'victim' wasn't big enough, or so the 'chiefs' said.
I only hope all the other Air Crews of Britain are better than this
shower here.
21 Sep
Sneaked time off during the morning & went to Hal-Far & Birzi - I
practically cleared the remainder of my kit from the old billet -
I suppose I'll be going back soon after all that organizing. Spent
an hour this afternoon reading over & burning my old mail.
22 Sep
Margo's birthday - its amazing - but I seem fated not to be able to
be with her for a birthday 'do'. This time though the Island has been
kind to me - TWO PINTS OF SCOTCH BEER. the first on the Island for
over 3 months.
23 Sep
Duty today & was lucky enough to be stood down - feel a bit ropey
though - I went to see "Wuthering Heights" on our Camp Cinema. There
was a sharp raid during the night so I'm told; I never heard a thing
myself.
24 Sep
Hell, I feel just about ready to snuff it - I think I'll have a long
session in bed to sweat it out of me - the Beauforts are on a night
strike tonight, but I'm afraid that they're not so good. I'd rather
work for the Naval people any time.
25 Sep
Still feeling rough - decided to take the bull by the horns & had
a real cold shower while I was sweating. It can't make me any worse.
Wrote to Marg today - about time too I think - Went to work this afternoon
but didn't do much.
26 Sep
The usual fiasco of a Mess Meeting again: I don't think I'll go to
anymore. Duty today & I've a feeling there's something sticky in store
for me. Anyway, I do know that we're on the line for a night strike.
27 Sep
A touch of old times last night - up all night - air raids & the usual
Wimpey 'no joy' search - was I choca?. Had the half day off after
it as usual - in bed. Not much doing to get excited about.
28 Sep
One Year exactly eh? I really don't know what my thoughts are today
- rather confused with pride, of how I've stuck it - misery - with
not having Margo with me, & disgust at the whole !X!! Island.
29 Sep
There's a very strong 'buss' about the Beauforts leaving for M.E.
Anyway we worked like hell today getting them serviceable. Plenty
of cause for friction between Speers & I - plenty!
30 Sep
Its right enough too - worked all day putting overload tanks on -
they're due off tomorrow morning. Lofty is playing his usual two-timing
game, but we caught him out. I clicked as usual for late duty.
1 Oct
Nearly all the Beauforts went, excepting Head - crikey, that bloke
gives me the pip with his umpteen excuses - blokes like him only like
to be a pilot to wear the brevet. Worked hard getting the remainder
ready.
2 Oct
Had the job of getting the remaining kites away to M.E. All except
'U' went on schedule, but that one kept me busy for a couple of hours.
There's the likelihood of a spot of leave now for the lads.
3 Oct
What a change! all the hurry & bustle gone from the office. Chiefie
left the arrangement of leave to me - fixed on two parties. Charlie
& myself are going to do two on, two off. I'm certainly looking forward
to a spot of rest.
4 Oct
A lovely 'lay in' today with an afternoon lazily spent playing cards.
I went out to the C&P.O's & luckily for me being a member was able
to stay for a special 'do' with the V.A.M. in attendance. Had a spot
of 'Jungle juice' for a change.
5 Oct
Went down to Birzi & collected my 'ackers' - I think the Allotment
has been started O.K. Wrote a couple of letters when I came back.
Start to work again tomorrow - if such it can be called. Had a quiet
afternoon in bed.
6 Oct
Took over from Charlie, & I'm darned if I know what work there is
for the lads. Organized 'cigs' for the lads with Jock. Played poker
with the lads in the Mess during the evening.
7 Oct
Nearly had a spot of trouble with the lads today - but smoothed it
out O.K. Quite see their point though with no decent work today -
but still they've got to stay here!
8 Oct
Started another couple of days leave today - taking it very casually
too. Went to Qormi & Hamrun this afternoon - picture I saw there was
Pygmalion: O.K. too. Jerry is getting busy again with his fighter
sweeps.
9 Oct
After a morning, watch repairing & what's more, succeeding in duffing
a couple of them up - they're valuable on this Island. Went to Valetta,
Hamrun & B'Kara trying to get some stuff, but no luck - nothing in
the shops at all. Jerry's getting very active.
10 Oct
Lummie! is that Jerry picking us out or is he? - we watched Hal Far
catch it up O.K., but Talkali caught it too. Went to the Camp show
in the evening - quite a good effort too.
11 Oct
Real old times eh! plots of 70 & 80 - 88's diving steeply down - crackerjacks
& incendiaries - DA's & Blast bombs - Bofors & 4.7's - all helping
to make a real old time harmonic Sunday - about 20 raids in two days.
12 Oct
Crikey! he doesn't even give one time to settle down - nearly had
me in the Billet with his crackerjacks. The Spits are certainly getting
them down though - over 3000 raids now.
13 Oct
He's getting quite erratic with his bombing - I shouldn't wonder either
with the Spits - Ack-ack & old Parks at the controls. Getting rid
of our remaining Beaufort tomorrow. Still keeping his raids up.
Off to the Eastern Mediterranean
14 Oct
Providing we can keep a decent serviceability with the Spits I reckon
we'll beat this Jerry - they're heroes, these pilots in Spits. One
has already claimed 31 on the Island. Malta claimed her 1000th plane.
15 Oct
a lovely day for the Spits again - they really got stuck into the
formations, bringing them down wholesale. Would that we could get
some decent work & kites to work on. Went to the Camp Cinema.
16 Oct
Had the day off to go to Hal-Far & Birzi for payment. Went to Valletta
P.O. & sent Margo 28 Savings Certs. Went to Hamrun Cinema. Plenty
of raids again.
17 Oct
Had occasion to wheel Bulger, Clifford & Cotterall up for being 5
hrs adrift - crazy loons, & waiting to go home too.
18 Oct
Had a whizzo night down at the C&P.O's with a spot of Beer thrown
in - a ration of 3 bottles. Jerry is very persistent. Those three
blokes got 7 days - lucky they weren't airmen. Over with 1435 Sqdn.
19 Oct
What a job! acting as foreman to a dozen matelots - to think that even
though Malta is passing through another blitz period there's not a
decent job of work for 20 fitters & riggers - that ought to come to
Churchill's notice.
20 Oct
What a terrible day - rain, rain & more rain - & still Jerry's fighter
bombers come along to try & scare us - except for an unlucky break
I don't think he will though - We've got about half a dozen bomb hoppys'
in the billet - tough L too!
21 Oct
Crikey! Luqa the only serviceable drome! Hal Far & T.K. [Ta' Qali] water-logged.
Jerry's fighter bombers nipping in & out of the clouds all day - I
was up at 1435 Sqdn today. Nothing much to do though.
22 Oct
8 killed by ME bombers, in Hamrun - I had the day off again & went
to the pictures, after doing a morning's domestic work & writing.
He's still raiding us about 6 times a day.
23 Oct
Tug & myself went to Valletta this afternoon to see "Yank in the RAF"
- good picture & better propaganda - the Malts like anything in that
line. Did a few deals in town.
24 Oct
It's practically impossible to have the rations cut much more. After
a day of abortive work, I & others went down to Qormi to get some bread & chocolate with cigarettes - two packets = 1lb loaf or two bars of chocolate.
25 Oct
It certainly speaks well for discipline in the Mess otherwise there
would have been a riot - two thin slices of bread all day. Went down
to Qormi & got some more chocolate for fags. Went to the C&P.O's &
was lucky - 3 bottles!
26 Oct
Work! aha, its a laugh here - I haven't done a stroke since the Sqdn
went away, & yet we still have to stay here. Jerry is still keen on
his fighter bomber - went to Valetta.
27 Oct
Duty today - as usual absolutely nothing to do, so I collected the
remainder of my kit from Birzi. Went 'hobs' hunting with Jock Gorman
- 35 cigs for a loaf of bread.
28 Oct
Another day of loafing round the billets - Tug is posted to Kalafrana
pending going home - we went to Valletta pictures & I ordered some
'black market' sandals. Had a spot of beer in the mess.
29 Oct
Had a little binge today after returning from Hamrun with 'Tug' -
he goes tomorrow. I reckon I'm going to square this N.A.S. Detacht.
up tomorrow. Old Rosson & myself prepared a shock for tomorrow's Mess Meeting.
30 Oct
What a day! busiest for ages. Cleared up all the sloppiness about
the Detacht. Organization. Am back at my old job of Chief. We certainly
shook up the job of racketeering in the Mess. Charge I got Sands apologetic
after a victimization.
31 Oct
Still sorting out the horrible muddle in the Naval Detacht.. Went
over the Poorhouse billets with Sub/Lt Dalton. Went Black marketeering
down Qormi. Saw the flare-path show - Lofty is quite amiable again.
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