Malta Memorial for Commonwealth Air Forces, Floriana, Malta
Posted by: arby101ca
N 35° 53.672 E 014° 30.468
33S E 455580 N 3972362
The Malta Memorial is dedicated to the 2298 members of Commonwealth Air Forces lost in the Mediterranean operating area in World War II.
Waymark Code: WM8G3K
Location: Malta
Date Posted: 03/28/2010
Views: 35
The Malta Memorial is located in Floriana, adjacent to the gates of Valletta and the very busy Valletta Bus Terminal. It is easily identified by the Golden Eagle on top of the column. The Memorial consists of a 15 metre column of travertine marble from Tivoli in the Sabine Hills near Rome, incised with a light reticulated pattern. On top is a gilded bronze eagle 2.4 metres high. At the base of the column is inscribed the motto of the air forces, “PER ARDUA AD ASTRA” (Through struggles to the stars). The column stands on a circular base with bronze panels with the names are of Commonwealth Air Force members lost in the Mediterranean operating area 2298 names arranged by year of death, force and rank. There are plaques for the British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand Air Forces. Of the 2298 names 285 are Canadian RCAF. A bronze panel at the base of the column has the following inscription:
OVER THESE AND NEIGHBOURING LANDS AND SEAS THE AIRMEN WHOSE NAMES ARE RECORDED HERE FELL IN RAID OR SORTIE AND HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE.
MALTA
GIBRALTAR
MEDITERRANEAN
ADRIATIC
TUNISIA
SICILY
ITALY
YUGOSLAVIA
AUSTRIA.
PROPOSITI INSULA TENAX TENACES VIROS COMMEMORAT
(An island resolute of purpose remembers resolute men)
The Government of Malta donated the site. The memorial was built and is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. No dedication date is mentioned.
Property Permission: Public
Access instructions: Go the Valletta bus terminal and turn right from the city gate.
Commemoration: British Commonwealth air crew who died in the Mediterranean operating area
Date of Dedication: Not listed
Access times: Not listed
Website for Waymark: Not listed
Location of waymark: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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