Malta

The trip to Malta from the 11th to 16 July 2017 was, at a distance of 1200 nautical miles from London, the longest trip The Royal Air Squadron has made in recent years and the furthest south it has ventured in the Mediterranean for a very long time.

Those members and their guests on the trip enjoyed some remarkable flying and a fabulous visit to this very special island, whilst those who did not go trip missed a real treat!

The trip was conceived, organised, and managed jointly by Bruno Schroder and Terry Holloway who were assisted by Debbie Mesquita (Bruno’s secretary), Bridget Close (Terry’s secretary) as well as of course by Suzanne Schroder and Marion Holloway. Fifty members and some personal guests, together with 19 aeroplanes which included one Mustang and a Spitfire planned to make the journey to Malta. In the event, the Spitfire and Mustang were unable to get to the southern Mediterranean because of very high temperatures. The trip proper started on Wednesday, 12 July in Malta but most members spent some time travelling through Europe before meeting up in Sardinia on Tuesday, 11 July for a very special dinner at the delightful home of Viktor and Lorraine Bondarenko. Local Italian delicacies of spit roasted goat and suckling pig were cooked on an open fire and enjoyed, together with some very fine wines, overlooking the swimming pool and the sea beyond.

The next day saw the Royal Air Squadron arriving en masse in Malta where they were all warmly welcomed by the airport authorities and by Warren Zahra and his team from Alpine Sterling, who had put together the detailed program including transport, accommodation and trips. The first day provided a relaxing opportunity to settle into the Grand Hotel Excelsior, to enjoy some sunbathing and swimming, and have a quiet meal in one of the many fine restaurants in Valetta.

Malta, which had gained independence from Great Britain in 1964, had been awarded the George Cross on 15 April 1942 following the siege of Malta which had lasted 29 months, between 1940 and 1942. The air battle over the Island reached its dramatic climax between April and October 1942. It was therefore highly appropriate that the Royal Air Squadron was in Malta for the 75th anniversary celebrations of the award of the George Cross, of which the island is so very proud. To mark this very special visit Bruno Schroder generously commissioned a replica George Cross medal which was mounted in an acrylic base and presented to all Squadron members and their guests on the trip.

Following the leisurely start on the Wednesday, Thursday to Saturday were “full on” days providing members and their guests with a deep insight into the rich heritage and culture of the island. This included a remarkable visit to Casa Rocca Piccola, where we were given a private tour by the owner, Nicholas 9th Marquis de Piro and his wife Frances. Thursday was spent touring Valetta with Gabriel Gauci, an expert guide, whose phenomenal knowledge of the history of the island astounded us all. This included a visit to the Malta War Museum where members were able to see the remains of one of the Gladiator aircraft which had so valiantly defended Malta during 1940, as well as seeing the original George Cross. That evening, local residents Robert and Deirdre Hornyold-Strickland hosted a cocktail reception at their amazing Palace home, before we all dined at The Barracuda, one of the best seafood restaurants on the island.

Friday was a very special day which started with a visit to the Malta Air Museum, at the former RAF station of Ta`Qali, where we were welcomed by the director Ray Polidano and given a very special private tour. Afterwards we visited Mdina, the highest point on the island for an amazing lunch where fantastic panoramic views of the island were enjoyed, before visiting the cathedral. That evening The Royal Air Squadron hosted a formal garden dinner at the Palazzo I Rizzio where the guest of honour was the British High Commissioner, Stuart Gill, and his wife Maggie. Suitable fluids were drunk, toasts were proposed, speeches were enjoyed, and we all read about it in The Daily Telegraph Court and Social column the next day!!

Saturday, 15 July was the last full day, and a lot of free time was provided following a tour of Valetta harbour on a vintage motor vessel in the morning. It was the same motor vessel that Her Majesty the Queen was transported in when she toured Valetta Harbour; cousins Marion Holloway and Vicki Storey were astounded to be told they were sitting on the very same spot – the same bench that is – that Her Majesty had sat on! The climax of the visit was a private tour of St John’s Cathedral in Valetta on Saturday evening before members retired early after private dinners for the journey back to England the following day. Needless to say, adventures were enjoyed by individuals on the way home, and the prize for flying the slowest aircraft on this remarkable trip went to Mark Coreth in his Jodel. Mark narrowly missed rest in Sicily on the way to Malta – but that is another story!

A post script is that members of the Royal Air Squadron who had been to Malta were invited back to Malta on 4 October, for the official anniversary event when His Royal Highness Prince Charles visited Malta. Peter Fernandez and Mark Coreth together with their wives were delighted to represent the Royal Air Squadron at this very special event, and a good time was had by all!