Ir-Re Dwardu VII, Floriana, Malta.
The Malta Memorial is situated in the area of Floriana and is easily identified by the Golden Eagle, which surmounts the column. The memorial is located to the south side of the Triton Fountain at the entrance to Malta's capital city, Valletta.
There are 2,297 airmen who lost theirs lives during the Second World War whilst serving with the Commonwealth Air Forces flying from bases in Austria, Italy, Sicily, islands of the Adriatic and Mediterranean, Malta, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, West Africa, Yugoslavia and Gibraltar, and who have no known grave.
They helped to guard and to keep open certain of the most vital sea routes linking the various countries. In gaining mastery in the air, the men commemorated here sacrificed themselves.
The Memorial is built on a site provided by the Government of Malta.
The Memorial takes the form of a column, 15 metres high, of Travertine marble from Trivoli in the Sabine Hills near Rome. It is carved with a light netted pattern and surmounted by a gilded bronze eagle 2.4 metres high. The column stands on a circular base around which the names are inscribed on bronze panels.
Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan. 22/5/2016. Lest we forget. (some text via Wikipedia and persons on Flikr).
