Exhibition to mark anniversary of Australian fighter wing deployment

Australian-born Wayne Saillard, 38, who is reading for a B.A. (Hons) in History at the University of Malta, is holding an exhibition to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the deployment of No. 78 (Fighter) Wing, Royal Australian Air Force, to Malta in 1952.

The exhibition is being held at the Maltacom premises, St Publius Square, Mdina, from May 5 to 18 between 9.30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

A special preview will be held for the press at 10 a.m. on May 3.

The exhibition is of photographs of the time, including photocopies of documents from the National Archives of Australia, and uniforms, among other items.

Mr Saillard, who lives in Malta, said that he had researched Australian/Maltese history which would be the subject of his dissertation as part of the university course .

He said that in 1952, the Australian government sent No. 78 Fighter Wing of the Royal Australian Air Force to Malta in response to a request made by the British government for a contribution from the Commonwealth to assist in the defence of the Middle East.

This was the first time that any Australian military unit had been specifically stationed on the island.

Prior to that date, the only Australian military personnel to find themselves in Malta did so as casualties in the First World War, or as individual pilots serving in Royal Air Force Squadrons during the Second World War.

Although ships of the Royal Australian Navy did call at Malta during both World Wars, they were assigned to the British Mediterranean Fleet.

He said that after a year at the Royal Naval Air Station H.M.S. Falcon (Hal Far), the Wing moved to the Royal Air Force Station Ta` Qali, which was placed under Australian command.

Its members played an active part in numerous military exercises, ceremonials and sporting events throughout their deployment.

Due to the duration of the posting, the Australian government granted permission for the wives and families to join the men in Malta.

Most of these families lived in flats that were rented from the local population, while a number of the men also married and started a family on the island.

Mr Saillard said that this unique episode in Australian and Maltese history has been largely forgotten. The only physical evidence of the Wing having been in Malta is in the form of the graves of one airman and five babies. The graves are at Mtarfa, Ta` Braxia and at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery.

It is for this reason that an exhibition is being held to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of this event, he said.

For further information, contact Mr Saillard on 21 228304.