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ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT, JUDGE JOSEPH GALEA DEBONO.
A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
This year I have delayed in composing my yearly Christmas message to our members as the deadline for our Newsletter to go to print was uncomfortably close to any looming developments in the war on Europe’ eastern frontier.
In one of my earlier messages this year I wondered if history was about to repeat itself and the 1938 developments with regards to Czechoslovakia were to haunt us again in a brokered peace settlement provoked by Russias’s invasion of Ukraine.
In my opinion all the deadlines that have been proposed merely provide powerful politicians with a claim for peace-making successes, and have been a daunting phenomenon in these few days leading up to the festive season.
It would now seem, however, as has repeatedly happened recently, that such deadlines are made in off-the-cuff online posts or replies to inquisitive media representatives, only to be extended indefinitely or entirely forgotten in the day-to-day developments of the situation.
It will be noted at this late stage however that there is still a wisp of hope in the ongoing talks between Ukrainian and USA representatives which have been reported as being fruitful and, if these reports are accurate, we can approach the festive season with a more secure and hopeful outlook on the present problems which are besetting the World around us.
As we approach the Holy Feast of Christmas this year, we can only pray that the devastation that befell the world 87 years ago because of a bungled deal about Czechoslovakia’s future in Munich, will not be repeated to haunt the present and future generations.
I can only wish for the membership the full and unspoiled enjoyment of the Yuletide festivities with their loved ones and a new 2026 in a more congenial World environment and in the best of health compatible with our advancing years.
Judge Joseph Galea Debono
Group attending 2025 Remembrance service at the Saluting battery
Group attending 2025 Remembrance service at the Saluting battery
Judge Joseph Galea Debono laying wreath
Judge Joseph Galea Debono laying wreath
Judge Joseph Galea Debono reading the Exhortation and Commitment
Judge Joseph Galea Debono reading the Exhortation and Commitment
Group photo of those attending the G.C. Award Commemoration at the Saluting Battery. (Courtesy of Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna)
Reading the Prayer at the Saluting Battery.
The outgoing U.K. High Commissioner, H.E. Katherine Ward LVO OBE
Group photo with H.E. Katherine Ward LVO OBE.
Reception at AFM Officers Mess
Wreath Laying at the Anzac day Service by President, Association Chairman and Malta Branch Treasurer Vincent Bonello..
PUBLICATIONS ABOUT WARTIME MALTA.
One of our members the Gozitan historian and poet Charles Bezzina has just published a second edition in English of his original book in Maltese about THE GOZO AIRFIELD . This small but very well researched book narrates the interesting episode when , prior to the invasion of Sicily in July 1943, it was needed to have a Spitfire Wing flown by American pilots based on the small sister island of Gozo to cover the beachhead in the early stages of the invasion. At first this seemed to be an impossible task because of the very hilly nature of the Gozo landscape and other limiting factors. But the U.S. Forces came to the rescue and on June 1, 1943 E Company of the 21st. Aviation Regiment landed very heavy plant and equipment needed to level the earth and create two runways in the short time before the landings planned for early July. The book is based on local research and also on a report of this Company as well as that of the Commanding Officer of the 536th. C. A. Battallion, Anti-Aircraft which was tasked with the air-defence of the airfield during its two months of operation.
“ 1942 MALTA ON THE BRINK” is the title of another book by Jeffrey Sammut that has reached the bookstalls, detailing all the recorded air raids for the darkest year of the war. It is based on Police records and is copiously illustrated.
This work follows upon an earlier one by the same author titled : “MALTA WAR OCCURRENCES – The Police Logbooks 1940-1942.” They give a day-by-day account of the losses, casualties and damage to property resulting from enemy action.
They are a very useful aid to any researcher on the War period in the George Cross Island.
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