World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseIn 1929, the British Royal Navy established the HMS Falcon airfield in southeastern Malta, the island's first permanent airfield. The base was subsequently transferred to the Royal Air Force and renamed RAF Station Hal Far. During WW2, being one of the three major air bases on strategically located Malta, it was the first to be bombed in 1940 and attacks continued into 1943. During this period, an estimated 2,300 tons of axis bombs were dropped on RAF Hal Far, resulting in 30 killed and 84 wounded. Toward the end of the war, the Fleet Air Arm returned to RAF Hal Far to conduct training missions. In 1950, it was returned to the Royal Navy. Resurfaced for jet aircraft, the recommissioned HMS Falcon hosted Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Air Divisions for training missions through 1956. Starting in 1957, civilian air traffic began using HMS Falcon's runways. In 1958, it was the home for the world's first assault helicopter squadron. In the mid-1960s, it became known as RAF Hal Far once again as it was briefly back in RAF possession. In 1967, it ceased to be the home of any British squadrons and it was downgraded to be a satellite field for the larger RAF Station Luqa to the northwest. Between Mar 1967 and Sep 1978, it served as a base for the private aircraft maintenance company Malta International Aviation, MIACO. The site was transferred to the Maltese government in Jan 1979. Today one of the former airstrips, Runway 13/31, is now being used by the Malta Drag Racing Association as a drag strip, while industrial facilities occupy other areas.

RAF Hal Far Interactive Map

Photographs

RAF Hal Far Timeline