Waqa’ Ajruplon: Chronicles of fallen aircraft in Gozo – is the title of an illustrated talk which will be presented in English by guest speaker Matthew Curmi, organised by the Book Club Gozo.

The pubic are invited to join Book Club Gozo for this free library event, in which the author, and engineer will talk about his recent book, which documents major aircraft losses over Gozo during the Second World War, combining archival research with rare first-hand eyewitness accounts.

”Even in instances of wartime, there is a glimmer of humanity. The first-hand accounts in this book shed light on new perspectives, previously unknown and neglected. It strips away the military aspects of the Second World War, and presents something pure, genuine and inspiring” (Source: Midsea Books).

This illustrated talk, will explore three key themes:

Waqa’ Ajruplon – The Awfully Mesmerising Spectacle of a Crash Site

This first section will focus on the abject peculiarity of an aircraft tumbling out of the sky onto Gozitan soil. The sight of a flaming behemoth burying itself deep on the island presented the Ghawdxin an unknown realm. Foreign tongues and skin tones, and technologies that seemed incomprehensively futuristic. How was it, that the instinct of the Ghawdxi at the site of a crashed aircraft was not take shelter, but to run to the flaming wreck?

L-Ghaqal tal-Ghawdxin – Tales of Thrift and Gozitan Wisdom

The Ghawdxin were frugal and wise, stark in contrast with the intoxicating modern world of the disposable and the convenient. The instinct to be frugal was not a value more than a necessity to survive in wartime. The wreck of an aircraft presented a bountiful supply of material. This part of the talk will focus on the Ghawdxin, their creativity, wisdom and frugality, and the theme of reuse and repurposing of airplane wreckage.

Biza’ u Wgigh – The Airmen, the Traumatised, the Hurt and the Departed

Thirdly, a glimpse into the psyche of an airman. This part of the talk will recount human tales of the men within the cockpit; our own, and the enemy; so to speak. The social dynamics of the Ghawdxin interacting with enemy airmen varied from acts of compassion, to in some cases, more threatening and hostile tendencies. What did the Ghawdxin make of foreign airmen, landing on their isle, and what did the airmen make of the Ghawdxin?

Matthew Curmi (b. 2001) is an engineer by profession from the village of Nadur. Motivated by a childhood fascination with wartime aviation history, his first book ‘ Waqa’ Ajruplon – Chronicles of Fallen Aircraft in Gozo’ was published in 2025, by Midsea Books.

Curmi began researching the subject while pursuing his degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Malta. His work involved interviewing elderly Gozitans alongside extensive research in historical archives, police occurrences, hospital admission records, and the family histories of downed airmen. The book highlights both the human dimension of wartime experiences and the folklore surrounding these events within the Gozitan community.

Although Waqa’ Ajruplon is written in English, Curmi said that he is actively developing his creative writing in Maltese, with a focus on preserving local memory and Gozo’s lesser-known historical narratives and social history in general.

The talk will take place on Wednesday, the 4th of November, at the Gozo Central Public Library, St. Francis Square, Victoria, Gozo (10.30 am – 11.30 am).

Seat reservations are encouraged in advance by sending an email to eventsgozo.library@gov.mt

For venue details, please visit the Facebook page of Gozo Central Public Library

Book Club Gozo acknowledged ”the generous support of Malta Libraries with this event.”

Photos supplied by Book Club Gozo

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