70th anniversary of first bombing raids

Seventy years ago, on June 10, 1940, Malta was dragged into the war theatre when Mussolini declared war on the Allies and bombs rained on Malta the day after. A total of 239 bombs fell on us that first day to a total of 54 tons. The Maltese islands would endure 3,340 air-raids lasting a total of 2,357 hours where a total of 16,000 tons would fall on them in the next 51 months.

Fast forward to June 10, 2010 and the World Cup is about to start.

The world is at war again - shooting footballs not bullets now. What a contrast!

I was hoping that the authorities would commemorate the sad but historical date of June 10, 1940 appropriately to remember the hardships that our forefathers had to endure in those dark days of 1940-45. At present I am compiling information on the Luqa airfield, which bore much of the brunt of the Axis bombing during the war, to be published in a book.

Any help that can be offered, such as photos or stories, would be appreciated and credited. I can be reached on e-mail 203sqn@onvol.net.