The memory of 15 Maltese servicemen who died in a plane crash 48 years ago was revived yesterday with Mass followed by a wreath-laying at Pembroke Military Cemetery.
Two British servicemen had also died when a Hasting transport aircraft broke in half and burst into flames as it was taking off from El Adem in Libya on a flight to Malta on October 10, 1961 – 22 soldiers survived, although several were seriously injured.
The Maltese soldiers, serving in the British army, were returning to Malta after helping build a road with the Royal Engineers. The crash was the biggest single loss of Maltese men in uniform in peace time.
The event was organised by the Royal Engineers Association, Malta.