On the evening of April 29, 1941, a formation of nine Ju 88s bombers of III/ (Kampf)/Lehrgeschwader 1 took off from Sicily. Their orders were to attack cruisers and destroyers spotted in Malta’s Grand Harbour by reconnaissance aircraft previously that day.
German intelligence was spot on. The previous evening, the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla, consisting of six destroyers, had entered the Grand Harbour to join the light cruiser Gloucester in port. The bombers were escorted by BF 109s Messerschmitt fighters of 7./JG26 led by the famous German ace Joachim Müncheberg.
Part of the report compiled by Lt J. Harrow while interrogating the prisoners of war. Photo: Anthony Rogers