Siege: Malta, 1940-1943

by Ernle Bradford

Book Overview

Situated halfway between Europe and Africa, Malta played a central role in the battles for the mastery of North Africa. The island was the vital supply base for British and Imperial troops in the to-and-fro desert campaigns against first Italy and then Germany and Rommel's Afrika Korps. The three-year siege of Malta was one of the longest sieges in history. In this thrilling account the author, who first came to know and love Malta whilst serving...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688047815
• ISBN13: 9780688047818
• Release Date: January 1986
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A good primer

As a general account of the Siege of Malta, this book represents a good introduction for those not acquainted with this extraordinary event of the Second World War. Sulieman the Magnificent laid siege to Malta in 1565 and Bradford "antiphonally" balances this event with the twentieth century action; a literary device which works well here as many of the factors determining the outcome of the first siege were present at the second. A fundamental commonality was the very individual character of the Maltese people and whilst the author includes this, it is a rather skeletal inclusion. This is surprising since he lived in Malta for a number of years and had the opportunity to delve below the superficial sophistication of Sliema and Ta'Xbiex to expose the complexities of the Maltese sub-cultures so contributory to the successful outcome of these events. Nicholas Monsarrat's "The Kapillan of Malta" does much better in this regard. Similarly, whilst mention is made of Lt. Gen. Sir William Dobbie, veteran of the Boer War who came out of retirement to become Governor of Malta, little is recorded of the tremendous efforts made by this man to support his beleaguered protectorate; efforts which in many respects paralleled those of his illustrious 16th. century predecessor, the Grand Master de la Valette. In fact, there is a curious absence of sympathetically human material throughout the book. Whilst Ernle Bradford covers the saga of Operation Pedestal, forever known to the Maltese as the "Santa Marija Convoy" and unquestionably one of History's great events, the narrative is disappointingly bland. Ian Cameron's "Red Duster, White Ensign" is a much more worthy account of this desperate exercise and tribute to the incredibly brave participants, notably Captain Dudley Mason, GC. Nevertheless, the book is a well-presented portrayal of the geo-political background, the hardships, privations, valour and stubborn resistance of those engaged against overwhelming odds in the defence of these small islands. This is an inspiring subject deserving to be familiar to everyone and a reminder of the personal sacrifices made to achieve what we have today. Sadly, it has been played down in the consciousness of younger Maltese as it did not suit the political conveniences of Prime Ministers like Dom Mintoff and Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici.

An account of the most overlooked of all historical sieges.

There was the Siege of Troy, the Siege of Leningrad and other notable events where one opposing force laid siege to either a city or, in the case of Gibraltar (which endured 13 sieges throughout her colourful history), a country. The Siege of Malta, however, is not one of those which springs readily to mind and is, therefore, often overlooked. At the time of World War Two, Malta was in a vitally strategic position. Bearing in mind the limitations of both air and sea power at that time, ships and aircraft operating from Malta were able to assist with the re-supply and support of British troops fighting in North Africa. Her aircraft could also seek and destroy those enemy ships wishing to do the same for opposing German forces. Had Malta fallen, there is no doubt that the British 8th Army in North Africa would have been defeated and Rommel victorious. In addition, throughout this time of conflict, Axis aircraft commanded the northern shores of almost the entire Mediterranean Sea. In spite of British naval superiority on that sea, those aircraft made re-supplying the beleaguered island of Malta almost impossible. Indeed, there was a time when Malta was within 30 days of surrender. This book tells the story of the Siege of Malta and tells it very well indeed. In a thoroughly researched work, the author skilfully takes the reader through the events which shaped Malta and the War in the Mediterranean from 1940-1943. The story of Operation Pedestal is recounted in great detail where the tanker "Ohio" finally reached Malta when 9 ships from her original convoy of 14 were lost. So vital was this ship's cargo that the Royal Navy threw everything they had into the defence of that convoy. Consequently, the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, cruiser HMS Manchester and light cruiser HMS Cairo were all lost and the cruisers HMS Kenya and HMS Nigeria put out of action. This account of the Siege of Malta is as good as they get and will do much to give that siege the full recognition it truly deserves. When you read this story you will begin to understand exactly why King George VI bestowed Britain's highest award for gallantry on the people of Malta - for all they had endured and the way in which they had rallied to the cause throughout this most turbulent time in their history. NM Retired British Army major.

An account of the most overlooked of all historical sieges.

There was the Siege of Troy, the Siege of Leningrad and other notable events where one opposing force laid siege to either a city or, in the case of Gibraltar (which endured 13 sieges throughout her colourful history), a country. The Siege of Malta, however, is not one of those which springs readily to mind and is, therefore, often overlooked. At the time of World War Two, Malta was in a vitally strategic position. Bearing in mind the limitations of both air and sea power at that time, ships and aircraft operating from Malta were able to assist with the re-supply and support of British troops fighting in North Africa. Her aircraft could also seek and destroy those enemy ships wishing to do the same for opposing German forces. Had Malta fallen, there is no doubt that the British 8th Army in North Africa would have been defeated and Rommel victorious. In addition, throughout this time of conflict, Axis aircraft commanded the northern shores of almost the entire Mediterranean Sea. In spite of British naval superiority on that sea, those aircraft made re-supplying the beleaguered island of Malta almost impossible. Indeed, there was a time when Malta was within 30 days of surrender. This book tells the story of the Siege of Malta and tells it very well indeed. In a thoroughly researched work, the author skilfully takes the reader through the events which shaped Malta and the War in the Mediterranean from 1940-1943. The story of Operation Pedestal is recounted in great detail where the tanker "Ohio" finally reached Malta when 9 ships from her original convoy of 14 were lost. So vital was this ship's cargo that the Royal Navy threw everything they had into the defence of that convoy. Consequently, the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, cruiser HMS Manchester and light cruiser HMS Cairo were all lost and the cruisers HMS Kenya and HMS Nigeria put out of action. This account of the Siege of Malta is as good as they get and will do much to give that siege the full recognition it truly deserves. When you read this story you will begin to understand exactly why King George VI bestowed Britain's highest award for gallantry on the people of Malta - for all they had endured and the way in which they had rallied to the cause throughout this most turbulent time in their history. NM Retired British Army major.