British Forces

A Malta’s Mosquito

Imperial War Museum

A de Havilland Mosquito II of No 23 Squadron Royal Air Force took off from Malta for a during gunnery practice over the Mediterranean during gunnery practice, June 1943. The No 23 Squadron, on 1938 it became a night-fighter squadron equipped with Bristol Blenheim replaced after the outbreak of the Second World War by Douglas Havoc and later by Mosquito, on 27 December 1942 was transferred from Great Britain to Malta, Luqa airfield, to fly intruder missions over Sicily, Italy and Tunisia. After the Allied landing in Sicily a No 23 Squadron’s Detachment was based in the Island at Catania-Sigonella, 3 September-5 October 1943, and Gerbini, 5 October-1 November 1943, and, during the Allied advance in Southern Italy, at Pomigliano d’Arco, Naples, 1 November-7 December 1943. On 7 December 1943 the Squadron moved to Sardinia, Alghero airfield, and expanded its range of operations to include Northern Italy and the South of France. The No 23 Squadron was in Sardinia until 8 May 1944: when returned to England joining the No.100 Group and serving as an intruder squadron, targeting German night fighters, over Western Europe. The No 23 Squadron was disbanded, following the war's end, in September 1945 (Ministry of Information Second World War Colour Transparency Collection Catalogue number TR 1070). Victor Sierra