George cross island

urqh · #1 (**permalink**) April 17th, 2003, 12:03 AM

Cant let the week pass without a mention of Malta April 15 1942.

http://www.vomradio.com/operationpedestal/malta_at_war/

De Vlaamse Leeuw · #2 (**permalink**) April 17th, 2003, 07:59 AM

Thanks Urqh!

Good and interesting site. I don't know much about the defense of Malta.

urqh · #3 (**permalink**) April 17th, 2003, 10:24 AM

Erwin, granted it was not the best of sites, but thought it was interesting as coming from the Maltese own perspective.

The Pedestal convoy merchant ships involved were:

The 14 Merchant Ships that took part were.

Almeria Lykes

Brisbane Star

Clan Ferguson

Deucalion

Dorset

Empire Hope

Glenorchy

Melbourne Star

Ohio

Port Chalmers

Rochester Castle

Santa Elisa

Waimarama

Wairangi

A letter handed to all crew at sea by the Admiralty at the beginning of Operation Pedestal.

23rd July 1942.

Before you start on this operation,the First Sea Lord and I are anxious you should know how grateful the Board of Admiralty are to you for undertaking this difficult task.

Malta has for some time been in great danger.It is imperative that she should be kept supplied,These are her critical months and we cannot fail her.

She has stood up to the most violent attack from the air that has ever been made and now she needs your help in continuing the Battle.

Her courage is worthy of yours.

We know that Admiral Syfret will do all he can to complete the Operation with success and that you will stand by him according to the splendid traditions of the Merchant Navy.

We wish you all "God Speed and Good Luck"

A.V Alexander.

urqh · #4 (**permalink**) April 17th, 2003, 10:28 AM

http://www.maltaconvoyaug42.freewebspace.com/

Should have included above link also.

Have been around Malta just on holiday and the people are still today very very anglophile...

They also do not seem to harbour any animosity to the axis nations of the time and are always invitint vets from all sides to reunions of sorts.

Mahross · #5 (**permalink**) April 17th, 2003, 10:28 AM

There has just been a new book released about Malta in the war. Can't remember who it is by, but it does look quite good. I'll try and find out the author and then i'll post it for those who are interested.

No.9 · #6 (**permalink**) April 18th, 2003, 02:13 AM

After Gaddafi’s mate Mintoff became Prime Minister of Malta in ’74 and made it a Republic and no longer under Britain, British forces finally left in ’79. Mintoff came to Britain to see Thatcher to ask if the Navy could continue to remove unexploded various from Maltese waters. Thatcher reportedly replied; ”The Germans put them there, ask them to take them away!”

Something the British did take away with them was the remains of the four Gladiators. They left the Maltese a few bits which they’ve cobbled together to make a part plane for their museum. A bit of Faith, a bit of Hope, but bugger-all Charity.

There again, they did leave behind BSA motorcycles, Bedford vans an Morris Minor cars. Believe me, you haven’t seen bodywork till you’ve seen a wing filled with concrete!

No.9

De Vlaamse Leeuw · #7 (**permalink**) April 18th, 2003, 01:58 PM

Well Urqh, the second link is much more interest!ed than the first on, that's for sure

Mahross · #8 (**permalink**) April 23rd, 2003, 11:02 AM

Here is the title of that book i mentioned:
James Holland - Fortress Malta: Living through the siege 1940-1943