The strategic importance of Malta sitting astride both the Axis and Allied supply routes in the Mediterranean was obvious to both sides during WW2. As a result the Island became the focal point in a prolonged and dreadful struggle that cost the lives of thousands of servicemen and civilians. After setting the scene for the action, this book tells the story of the Island's stand against the might of the Axis powers that led to the unprecedented award of the George Cross to the whole island by King George VI. It not only covers the struggle by the British and Maltese forces on the ground but the vicious fighting in the skies above. This was indeed a siege involving every man and woman on the Island. David Wragg tells the story using many first -hand accounts and yet skillfully explains the strategic situation. The result is an inspiring book worthy of the courage shown by the Islanders and their defenders.
Suleiman the Magnificent, the most powerful ruler in the world, was determined to conquer Europe.
One of the Maltese broke cover and attempted to drag La Rivière to safety. But the knight was heavy, ... The enemy, more interested in a live prisoner than a dead trophy, surrounded the knight, hoisted him up, and carried him off.
After setting the scene for the action, this book tells the story of the Island's stand against the might of the Axis powers that led to the unprecedented award of the George Cross to the whole island by King George VI. It not only covers ...
On that small rock an epic struggle will be played out - the story of individual men, warriors and slaves, but also the story of two worlds colliding.
A thrilling account of the brutal decades-long battle between Christendom and Islam for the soul of Europe.
In order to shame them , Don Bernardo sallied out with Don Juan Mascon and some Maltese soldiers , and to the humiliation of the Turks - cut off the dead man's head and stuck it upon a post . Yet still the enemy persisted by day and ...
The defenders lost about 1,500 men—a ratio of nearly one Christian dead for every six Moslems. The majority of those killed were either Spanish, Maltese, or other foreign troops. One hundred and twenty Knights and Servants-at-arms were ...
3 Writing in the 19th century in his History of the Knights of Malta General Whitworth Porter had concluded his account of the Great Siege with what might have seemed imperialistic rodomontade, but which proved prophetic: 'English ...
FORTRESS MALTA follows the story through the eyes of those who were there: young men such as twenty-year-old fighter pilot Raoul Daddo-Langlois, anti-aircraft gunner Ken Griffiths, American Art Roscoe and submariner Tubby Crawford - who ...
Tony Rothman is a physicist and writer. He received a B.A. in physics from Swarthmore College in 1975, and a Ph.D. from the Center for Relativity at the University of Texas, Austin in 1981.