Fort Campbell (Malta)

Fort Campbell
Forti Campbell
Mellieħa, Malta
Fort Campbell as viewed from the sea
Map of Fort Campbell
Coordinates	35°57′49.5″N 14°23′25.7″E / 35.963750°N 14.390472°E / 35.963750; 14.390472
Type	Fort
Site information
Owner	Government of Malta
Condition	Ruins
Site history
Built	1937–1938
Built by	British Empire
In use	1938–1970s
Materials	Limestone and concrete
Battles/wars	World War II

Fort Campbell (Maltese: Forti Campbell or Fortizza ta' Campbell), also known locally as Il-Fortizza tas-Selmun, is a former fort in Mellieħa, Malta. It was built by the British between 1937 and 1938. It is notable as the most important fortification north of the Victoria Lines, and the last major fortification to be built in Malta. Today, it lies in ruins.

Fort Campbell is located on the Selmun peninsula, roughly halfway between Mistra Battery and the ruins of Għajn Ħadid Tower, and facing St Paul's Islands. It was built to protect the approach to both Mellieħa Bay and St. Paul's Bay. It also protected British seaplanes which landed in Mistra Bay. The fort took over the role of Wardija Battery, which had been built in 1915.

Before construction of the fort began, Governor Charles Bonham-Carter visited the site. Work on the fort probably began in December 1937, and work was hurried after the Munich Agreement of September 1938. The fort was modified throughout the course of World War II, when barracks were built and a radar was installed.

It is not known exactly when the fort was decommissioned. After the war, its strategic importance diminished and it was on the verge of being closed by 1949. However, the fort remained in military hands and a watchman remained stationed there until the 1970s.

Fort Campbell is very different from earlier fortifications in Malta, such as the bastioned forts built by the Knights Hospitaller and the polygonal forts built by the British in the 19th century. Due to the new threat of aerial warfare, the fort was surrounded by a thin wall, and the buildings were placed at a distance from each other. Due to this, the fort was camouflaged as from the air it resembled the field walls of the surrounding countryside. Unlike many of the earlier fortifications, Fort Campbell was designed with an eye to functionality rather than aesthetics. For example, the fort's gateway is just a breach in the perimeter wall defended by a guard room, in contrast with the usually ornate gates of many Hospitaller or Victorian forts.