ROYAL NAVY HAND OVER DESTROYER TO THE ROYAL HELLENIC NAVY; YUGOSLAVS LEAVE MALTA; VISIT OF GENERAL GIRAUD AND GENERAL GEORGES TO MALTA [Allocated Title]
Title:ROYAL NAVY HAND OVER DESTROYER TO THE ROYAL HELLENIC NAVY; YUGOSLAVS LEAVE MALTA; VISIT OF GENERAL GIRAUD AND GENERAL GEORGES TO MALTA [Allocated Title]
Film Number:AYY 193/39
Other titles:BRITISH ARMY OPERATIONS IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: Scenes in Malta, April and May 1944
Description: 6 April 1944. The British destroyer Echo is formally handed over to the Royal Hellenic Navy and becomes HMHS Navarinon. The ceremony is presided over by Vice Admiral Hamilton. The ship's companies of both British and Greek ships line the dockside with a Royal Marine Guard of Honour and the band of the Royal Malta Artillery. Admiral Hamilton arrives in his barge and inspects the Guard of Honour. He gives a speech from the gun platform of the Echo, the White Ensign is lowered and the Greek flag hoisted in its place. The Greek naval padre Father Polykarpos Gryfakis blesses the ship. Captain Tsirimokos makes a speech on behalf of the Greeks. Admiral Hamilton is seen leaving the ceremony.
8 May 1944. First batch of Yugoslav partisans leave Malta after hospital treatment and military training to go home as combatants. At the camp those departing wave goodbye to those staying, and climb into lorries. The soldiers sing as they go through the Maltese harbour of Musta on their way to the Grand Harbour. They disembark on the quayside. They board the tender, waving farewells to their comrades.
29 May 1944. The French generals pay a return visit to Malta on 26 May and stay as guests of Lord Gort. They are met by Major General Oxley. General Giraud is accompanied by his youngest daughter Monique. Giraud inspects a guard of honour made up of the King's Own Malta Regiment. The generals embark on the Admiral's barge and are shown around the Malta dockyard by Captain Pilditch. The generals go to the cathedral at Mdina. A Royal Marine guard of honour is inspected on the Customs House Quay. The party leaves Luqa Airfield on 28 May.
Alternative Title:BRITISH ARMY OPERATIONS IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR [Allocated Series Title]
