The opening two days of 1943 proved to be relatively quiet for Malta. The situation changed somewhat on January 3, when a single Heinkel He111 approached Malta from the southwest at low altitude, but did not cross the coast. Its track had, however, been detected by radar, and patrolling Spitfires from No. 126 and No. 185 Squadrons were warned of its presence.
The capture of Tripoli on January 23, 1943, marked the beginning of the end for the Axis forces in North Africa- Charles Debono
The Spitfires tried to pursue the bomber, and one of the pilots was able to get into firing position, before being forced to return to Malta due to lack of fuel. The Heinkel was seen streaming smoke and flying very low and it was believed that it crashed into the sea north of Gozo.
A top-level meeting was held in Casablanca, Morocco, from January 14 to 24, 1943, between US President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, plus their Combined Chiefs of Staff, during which the proposed invasion of Sicily was discussed although, initially, the British favoured taking Sardinia rather than Sicily.
The British argued that Sardinia was less well defended and would offer a good base for the bomber offensive against northern Italy, but the Americans countered that Sicily currently offered a greater threat to Allied convoys and tankers plying the eastern and central Mediterranean.
On January 19, it was decided that Sicily would be the target for invasion as soon as the Tunisian campaign was successfully concluded. In the following months, the four main objectives would be: securing the Mediterranean line of communication; diverting German forces from the Soviet front; increasing pressure on Italy and creating a situation where Turkey could be enlisted as an active ally.
Meanwhile, in Libya the pendulum in Tripolitania was swinging the Allies’ way. Following the capture of Benghazi on November 20, 1942, General Montgomery’s Eighth Army pressed on towards Tripoli. At this stage, the Allies carried out a series of operations aimed at preventing the Germans from blocking the entrance to Tripoli harbour.
On the night of January 18/19, 1943, the submarine HMS Thunderbolt launched two chariots aimed at destroying any potential block-ships. One of the chariots managed to reach the harbour entrance but the block-ships were scuttled before it could intervene; the crew were taken prisoner. The other craft, having developed mechanical trouble, had to be destroyed; her crew, likewise taken prisoner, later escaped and joined the advancing Eighth Army.
The second attempt was made by motor torpedo-boats from Malta, when on the night of January 20/21 they attacked the breakwater at Tripoli harbour. As the Eighth Army was on the city’s outskirts, several craft, attempting to escape to other Tripolitanian and Tunisian ports, were sunk by British naval ships sweeping the coast. British and Commonwealth troops surrounded Tripoli. Rommel made a final stand but, as it became evident that he could not hold the city, he withdrew his troops towards the Mareth Line.
The capture of Tripoli on January 23, 1943, marked the beginning of the end for the Axis forces in North Africa. In Malta, flags were brought out, people filled Valletta where the two city bands, preceded by children carrying the clubs’ banners, paraded down Kingsway, playing marches.
In early January 1943, a number of COPP3 (Combined Operations Pilotage Parties) members arrived from Britain on a Dakota DC3 transport aircraft. They were later joined by another small party from the Middle East. On February 27 and in the first days of March, they made several exercises trying out their canoes and equipment at Għajn Tuffieħa Bay. They left Malta for Sicily in three groups on the submarines HMS Unbending, HMS United and HMS Unrivalled.
They were joined by COPP4 on the submarine HMS Safari. Operating in pairs, they faced continuous risks both from the heavy seas and the enemy. As they paddled and waded ashore, they took soundings and notes of the beaches.
Meanwhile, in the Soviet Union, the Germans tried to capture Stalingrad in late 1942; the Soviets succeeded in defeating them after a hard-fought battle. On February 2, 1943, German Field Marshal Friedrich von Paulus surrendered his Sixth Army to the Soviets. The victory inspired the British government to organise celebrations throughout the Empire.
To salute the Red Army’s victory at Stalingrad and the war dead, in Malta the principal parade was held in the square in front of the Auberge de Castille on February 21, 1943, at 11.45am. On the steps of the auberge there was a distinguished gathering of members of the three Services, the Government, His Majesty’s Judges and members of the Executive Council and Council of Government.
The situation changed in favour of the Allies. After the threat of an Axis invasion of Malta evaporated, the British infantry started attack-orientated training- Charles Debono
The parade consisted of detachments of 25 personnel each from the Royal Navy, Army, the Royal Air Force, the Police Force, the Home Guard, the ARP and the Boy Scouts. It was significant that the guard of honour was chosen from the RMA. A large crowd of civilians and servicemen lined the square.
Ceremonies were also held in Mosta, Żebbuġ, Żurrieq, Żejtun, Victoria, and Rabat. At each parade, representatives of the armed forces of the Crown and civil authorities were present.
In March 1943, HMS Paladin and HMS Pakenham were deployed with a flotilla in Malta to intercept Italian convoys destined for Tunisia and patrol duties. On March 15 she deployed with HMS Petard and the Greek Vasilissa Olga to join convoy Operation MW23 to strengthen the escort provided by HMS Hurworth, HMS Croome and the Greek Kanaris. During the next day the convoy came under air attack after fighter cover left, but no damage was done.
On April 16, 1943, HMS Pakenham was deployed with HMS Paladin, southwest of Marsala, Sicily, to intercept an Italian convoy protected by Tifone, Climene, Cigno and Cassiopea. Cigno was torpedoed and sunk after the vessel was disabled by surface gunfire.
However, Pakenham was hit four times by return fire and sustained major damage with flooding in the engine rooms. She became disabled and was taken in tow by Paladin, protected by a total of 29 Spitfire sorties flown during the morning.
Vice-Admiral Malta sent a message of appreciation to Air Vice-Marshal Keith Park: “I am extremely grateful for the fighter cover this morning. It undoubtedly stopped HMS Paladin being attacked.”
However, the operation had to be abandoned due to threat from enemy air attacks. The ship’s crew was taken by Paladin before being sunk by torpedo.
Meanwhile, a year from the April Blitz of 1942, the situation had totally changed in favour of the Allies.
After the threat of an Axis invasion of Malta evaporated, the British infantry battalions started attack-orientated training. A select unit, the Malta Special Service Troops, was set up and practised commando tactics on Manoel Island.
On April 4, 1943, 10 officers and 86 men from the Buffs, Cheshire, Royal West Kents, Royal Irish Fusiliers, Durham Light Infantry Regiments and the Royal Corps of Signals, in absolute secrecy, boarded naval craft at Marsamxett Harbour, to capture the Kerkenna Islands off Sousse, Tunisia.
After spending a few days in Tripoli, checking their equipment and carrying out final preparations, they reached the two Kerkenna Islands, Rhabi and Chergui, where they landed without opposition since the Italian garrison had been evacuated two days earlier. The force returned to Malta on April 19.
This minor operation showed that the Malta garrison had shed its defensive role. The 231st Infantry Brigade known also as the 1st (Malta) Infantry Brigade, made up of the 2nd Battalion Devons, 1st Battalion Hampshires and 1st Battalion Dorsets, left Malta on March 30, 1942, for Alexandria, where they underwent further combat training. However, men from the 234th Infantry Brigade were to suffer heavily in the Dodecanese Islands at the hands of the Germans.
Meanwhile, as the chances of an Axis surrender in Tunisia increased and an Allied invasion of Sicily became more likely, the Germans continued reinforcing the island with forces and aircraft from the eastern front, joining the Me210-equipped III Gruppe at Palermo.
In addition to air and sea convoy escort duty, the twin Zerstörer were required to defend the Palermo area from ever increasing attacks by US bombers from North Africa. Another unit arrived from Tunisia which was now hastily re-equipped with Focke-Wulf FW190 fighter-bombers at its new base, Gerbini.
Mr Debono is the curator of the National War Museum in Valletta, where relevant artefacts and related information can be seen.