Luqa Airfield Pillbox 1 is one of the numerous pillboxes built around Luqa airfield to defence the location from airborne assault. After the fall of Crete the British anticipated a similar airborne assault on the key points and airfields of Malta. Small square or rectangular pillboxes were built all round the airfields, with the primary arcs of fire facing towards the actual runway where they expected the invaders to land. Most of these pillboxes are not clad in stone, and they often have steel plates around the loopholes, although many have now been taken as scrap or souvenirs.
The square pillbox lies on a small rise overlooking the main air strip. The locality is now used primarily by plane spotters because of the clear view of the runway. The pillbox is slightly raised with two loopholes on each side, and an addition small loophole in the corner. The iron bands have largely survived on this pillbox.
For a map showing the location of the twelve identified pillboxes around Luqa Airfield please see here.
Luqa Airfield Pillbox 1 is one of the numerous pillboxes built around Luqa airfield to defence the location from airborne assault. After the fall of Crete the British anticipated a similar airborne assault on the key points and airfields of Malta. Small square or rectangular pillboxes were built all round the airfields, with the primary arcs of fire facing towards the actual runway where they expected the invaders to land. Most of these pillboxes are not clad in stone, and they often have steel plates around the loopholes, although many have now been taken as scrap or souvenirs.
The square pillbox lies on a small rise overlooking the main air strip. The locality is now used primarily by plane spotters because of the clear view of the runway. The pillbox is slightly raised with two loopholes on each side, and an addition small loophole in the corner. The iron bands have largely survived on this pillbox.
For a map showing the location of the twelve identified pillboxes around Luqa Airfield please see here.