FOREWORD A

North Africa. Indeed, the Siege of Malta was Algeria and Morocco in November 1942. the aim of setting the right conditions for a or damaged. Malta, nonetheless, did not and the central Mediterranean, and in due the resounding Allies success in North Africa, gathered in devastated Senglea to witness the solemn return of the devotional statue in vain. It earned them and us, their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, the had it not been for their resilience. been recounted over and over again. of this dark time. Publication was not on the intimate fears, frustrations and longings.

Mario Cutajar Chairman Heritage Malta

Preface T

Also well documented is the courage of the Blenheim, Beaufort

Leading Aircraftman Bernard Jinks, known as Ben, was one of Married in 1938, it was his love and longing for his wife, Olive, back were no more.

Malta’s war.

Biography

GROUP CAPTAIN (RETD) PAUL MCDONALD OBE

Paul served as a Royal Air Force pilot for thirty-four years until in Malta and Tornados in Germany. His association with Malta and RAF Luqa dates back to 1975. During over three years on the island, he and his wife lived in Birkirkara and Balzan. Their son was born at the Royal Naval Hospital in Mtarfa and their daughter at St Catherine Hospital in Attard. Paul was decorated for gallantry in 1980 and appointed OBE in 1995. He has written three books: Winged Warriors (2012), Malta’s Greater Siege (2015), and Ladies of Lascaris (2018).

BY DAVID VASSALLO

cuttings, and additional related material from other Heritage Malta archives or elsewhere.

much he missed his wife Olive back home relatives of Ben Jinks and his wife Olive on behalf of Heritage Malta, so far without

1 NWMA Land Archives: Box 12, Ben Jinks bequest, Fort St Elmo, Valletta, Malta GC.

Ben and his fellow groundcrew colleagues, all unsung heroes of the Battle for Malta, and in remembrance of all those who fought and