MALTA ARMED FORCES - PASSOUT PARADE

[BruceHMX]

Interesting clip. Was that also the UK drill for fixing and unfixing a bayonet to an SLR? Never seen a weapon placed between the legs in that fashion.

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[Gil Boyd]

Peter,
Yes. It was Dom Mintoff who got rid of all UK forces in 1971 finally, with 57 Sqn RAF the Canberrras being the last to leave I understand, who eventually came back to RAF Wyton.
Once he allowed the Russian Fleet in and others across the way like Ghaddafi etc it spolied the island, and the damage was done.

I went back with a Parachute Regiment delegation in 2015 to have a gravestone re done by the CWWG Commission for one of the 3 PARA lads who died of Meningitis in 1969 when 3 PARA were stationed there for 3 years, and the original grave stone was a right mess and needed sorting under GRAVEWATCH.
The reason I mention that is I asked for Maltese Armed Forces assistance, and Colonel Borg and two trumpeters came along to the re commemoration of the new Portland stone. He told me they have a very strong allegiance to the UK, and still pride themselves in keeping their standards up from what they were taught many years ago by us.

Bruce HMX,
Yes exactly the same as SLR drills used by UK Forces back in the day. They send SNCO's over to the UK who were attached to the Drill and Duties Cadre at Pirbright.

[browningautorifle]

There were a couple things though...goose stepping, point the toes...butts back...waddling...(slow time)

That sequential drill is too ragged. Better to do the move as one man.

[Gil Boyd]

Sadly, thats what happens when there are so many outside influences. I lived on the island from 66-69 when John Frost of Arnhem fame was the GOC Maltese Army.
Their artillery cap badge was an offshoot of anti air batteries during WW2, but now without the crown.

They were using 25 pounders during my stay there and I did see them and the SLR on guard duty outside Government House in 2015, so you may be right SLR's and drill UK style, and AK47's for ops jobs.......I'll have to ask when I go back as I often do. If there was ever a place for me to live away from England, it would be Malta

[browningautorifle]

John Frost

I'll bet you sat chatting for hours and listened very closely, then imagined what that exit must have been like. "Hold until relieved..."