Air Headquarters Malta AHQ Malta | |
---|---|
Active | 28 December 1941 – 30 June 1968 |
Country | United Kingdom |
Branch | Royal Air Force |
Type | Command |
Part of | RAF Middle East Command (1939) |
Headquarters | Valletta (1945) |
Motto(s) | Accidet Nemo Impune |
Air Headquarters Malta (AHQ Malta or Air H.Q. Malta) was an overseas command of the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. It was established on 28 December 1941 by renaming RAF Mediterranean under Air Vice Marshal Hugh Lloyd.[1] Lloyd was named Air Officer Commanding in Malta on 1 June 1941.[2]
AHQ Malta played a key defensive role during the war when Malta was under siege by Axis forces between 11 June 1940 to 20 November 1942. In 1943 it then became a major sub-command centre for the Allies under the Mediterranean Air Command (MAC) when the Allies began their attack on Sicily, Italy.
AHQ Malta remained in operation under British command until 1968 when it was disbanded. The British withdrew from Malta in 1979.