War Diary 1st DLI Malta 21st March 1942

Discussion in 'Durham Light Infantry' started by Verrieres, Jul 17, 2009.

  1. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    Just wondering if anyone has this Diary period reason..1st DLI mercifully lost only 15 or so killed during their time on Malta yet lost six men on this date and one on the 22nd how? I am aware this period was most notable for heavy air raids and I am assuming that this was the ultimate reason for their deaths,but can anyone add any direct circumstances or Information?
    Those killed/Died on the 21st March were ;-
    44624437 Pte Stephen Hall Gardiner
    4451285 Pte James Henry Garnick
    6025634 Pte Charles Levey
    4460644 Pte James Joseph Murray
    4459647 Pte Robert Sadler
    4460787 Pte John Edward Wake
    on the 22nd March Those killed/Died were listed as
    4269895 Pte John William Dewhurst.

    Regards
    Verrieres

    Ps Any information regarding the demise of the other nine 1st DLI lads would also be gratefully acknowledged.Thank You.
     
  2. bdmalta

    bdmalta Junior Member

    I don't have DLI diary but have General Staff WDs for Malta. 21 March was first instance of carpet bombing of a military target: Ta Qali. GSWD states that in the 0845 raid "bombs which fell wide of the map killed 5 military O.R. and wounded 5 at Imtarfa." No other Army casualties noted for that day so suggest these were your lads? No casualties either for 22 March but with 5 wounded the day before, perhaps another died from his injuries. (more info via Bomb Disposal Malta World War 2).
     
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  3. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    Thanks very much for that information the DLI were employed in building/reinforcing the area around Ta Qali airfield so your information does indeed point to my lads.Thanks again.

    Verrieres
     
  4. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    Hi ,
    Thanks to Brian I now have the Diary from July-Dec 1942.My sincere thanks to him for his time and generosity. A question now arises as part of the Diary refers to parties of the DLI being placed aboard Merchant Ships as Fire Crews. Were these parties intended to fight the actual Fires onboard the incoming merchantmen after the bombing and straffing on their way to the island? or was their function to be placed on board whilst in harbour to fight any fires which might occur whilst in Port? I know its a trivial detail but were these Fire Crews a common occurrance during the war or just in Malta? Thanks

    Verrieres
     
  5. bdmalta

    bdmalta Junior Member

    70 years go today. Read an account hour by hour of the masssive raids which took the lives of these and many more at maltagc70.com.
     

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