Local explorers Pierre Farrugia and Angelo Caruana have, once again, teamed up to venture into one of the lesser-known bases that the English built whilst stationed in Malta – Siggiewi’s RAF Krendi Station. 

The base is nowadays situated in a privately managed area used by the San Niklaw Farm, therefore access to the general public is strictly prohibited. Pierre and Angelo only accessed and documented the base after being granted exclusive permission by the relevant authorities.

RAF Krendi, also known as RAF Qrendi, was officially inaugurated in 1941 as a diversion airstrip for main operating bases nearby. Bases serving a similar purpose can be found in Safi and in Gozo.

Despite this primary purpose, RAF Krendi was also home to an impressive complex of underground offices where one can still find some of the original equipment used back in the day.

Pierre and Angelo even came across an old telephone and some bullet cartridges dating back to World War II!

Around a year after the base’s inauguration, in 1942, the British began basing fighter squadrons at Krendi, which remained up until late 1943.

Shortly after entering the base, Pierre and Angelo came across what seemed like an escape route, a couple of generator bases, and a ventilation shaft. Apart from some debris and litter, the base seems to be rather well-preserved overall.

Following the conclusion of WWII, RAF Krendi was one of a number of military facilities retained in Malta by the British due to the island’s strategic location. In 1953, the base was converted into a vehicle storage area for British Army units and in the 1960s, it also served as a weather radiosonde tracking stations.

The RAF left their Krendi base in 1979 following a decision not to renew the lease on RAF Luqa.

Check out Angelo and Pierre’s video to learn more about this amazing historical artifact!