Malta Memorial
| Malta Memorial | |
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| Commonwealth War Graves Commission | |
Dedicated to Second World War Commonwealth aircrew
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| Used for those deceased | |
| Unveiled | 3 May 1954 |
| Location |
35°53′40.57″N 014°30′28.27″E / 35.8946028°N 14.5078528°ECoordinates: 35°53′40.57″N 014°30′28.27″E / 35.8946028°N 14.5078528°E near Floriana |
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Total commemorated
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2,298 |
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OVER THESE AND NEIGHBOURING LANDS AND SEAS THE AIRMEN WHOSE NAMES ARE RECORDED HERE FELL IN RAID OR SORTIE AND HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE MALTA GIBRALTAR MEDITERRANEAN ADRIATIC TUNISIA SICILY ITALY YUGOSLAVIA AUSTRIA PROPOSITI INSULA TENAX TENACES VIROS COMMEMORAT
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The Malta Memorial is a commemorative war memorial monument to the 2,298 Commonwealth aircrew who lost their lives in the various Second World War air battles and engagements around the Mediterranean, and who have no known grave.
After the war ended, and with its pivotal contribution to the air war in the Mediterranean, Malta was the chosen location of the memorial. Built on land generously donated by the Government of Malta, it is located in the area of Floriana, to the south side of the Triton Fountain close to City Gate, the entrance to Malta's capital city, Valletta. It was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II on 3 May 1954.
The Malta Memorial is identified by the gilded bronze golden eagle which surmounts the 15 m (49 ft) column of Travertine marble, from Tivoli in the Sabine Hills near Rome. It is carved with a light netted pattern and surmounted by a gilded bronze eagle 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in) high. The column stands on a circular base around which the names are inscribed on bronze panels. At the base of the column itself, a bronze panel bears the following inscription:
The Latin epigram may be rendered in English: AN ISLAND RESOLUTE OF PURPOSE REMEMBERS RESOLUTE MEN.
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Wikipedia