The day war came to Malta
An air raid warning siren wailed over Grand Harbour just before 7 a.m. today, recalling the moment, exactly 70 years ago, when Italian bombers dropped their first bombs on Malta.
A few hours earlier, in the evening of June 10, 1940, Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini in a speech in Rome had declared war on Britain, thus casting Malta, a British colony, into the front line.
The first day of the war in Malta saw eight enemy sorties sowing death and destruction over a wide area around the harbours. 22 lost their lives and another 50 lay wounded. The first bombs fell on Fort St Elmo and the area of Portes des Bombes. The first raids also triggered the evacuation of the inner harbour population to other parts of the island. Many people started a life in air raid shelters.
The air raids were to continue until 1943, increasing in intensity when the German air force entered the Mediterranean theatre of war in January 1941. Malta suffered 3,340 raids, causing the death of hundreds of civilians and servicemen and reducing the population to near starvation as convoys increasingly found it difficult to fight their way through with supplies. The bombing also cost Malta several important buildings, including the Opera House, auberges and churches.
The air defence of Malta in the first few months of the war was weak, consisting of a few Gloster Gladiator biplanes and later, Hurricane fighters, which were inferior to the Italian and German fighters.
A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
Work was the last thing on Carmel Mallia’s mind when, 70 years ago today, he woke up to air raids and had to move his wife and one-year-old baby out of their house in Cospicua.
Malta was under siege – after Italy declared it had joined the war the previous day – and the 25-year-old civil servant had one priority: to take his family to a safer house in Żabbar.
Their home town was close to the harbour and this made it a target during World War II.
In between air raids Mr Mallia, who has since passed away, walked back to their Cospicua home to retrieve his family’s belongings and secure the house that had been damaged by the heavy bombing. All this kept him away from his office, at the Public Works Division in Valletta, for two days.
One would think that the terror and destruction that gripped the island was good enough proof of what kept Mr Mallia, and others like him, away from work. But his employer demanded he justified his absence if he wanted to get paid for those two days. So, on June 15, 1940, Mr Mallia typed out a letter – keeping a carbon copy for himself – explaining that he was busy rescuing his family and home from possible death and looting.
“On June 11, the air raids were so frequent (I think there were nine that day) that it was practically impossible to cross the harbour... On the morrow, June 12, enemy bombers, coupled with nervous and physical strain, again kept me away from work... I felt that, even if I came to the office, I would be no use in the mental state in which I then was,” he wrote.
His son, Michael Mallia recalled that his father’s employer eventually accepted the letter as a good justification. In fact, his father moved on to serve on the War Damage Commission and became an Ambassador to Malta in various countries including Italy.
He noted that, at the time, he was not yet born and the baby mentioned in the letter was his elder brother, physics professor and environmentalist Edward Mallia.
When World War II broke out, on September 3, 1939, Maltese civilians did not feel as threatened. Britain had declared war when Adolf Hitler’s regime ignored Britain’s ultimatum to withdraw Germany’s attack on Poland by 11 a.m. that day.
Despite the gravity of the news, the Maltese did not fully absorb the reality of the threat that was veiled by the comfort of distance. But the people’s peace of mind was shattered when, on June 10, 1940, Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini declared war on Britain and France and turned colonial Malta into a bomb target. The following day aircraft of the Italian Royal Air Force attacked Malta, one of Britain’s most important naval bases.
“A total of 239 bombs fell on us that first day to a total of 54 tons. The Maltese islands would endure 3,340 air-raids lasting a total of 2,357 hours where a total of 16,000 tons would fall on them in the next 51 months... I was hoping that the authorities would commemorate the sad but historical date appropriately to remember the hardships that our forefathers had to endure in those dark days of 1940-45,” Robert Camilleri wrote in a letter to The Times today.
Joseph Martin, in his 90s, remembers seeing an Italian reconnaissance plane at about 7 a.m. on June 11, 70 years ago. The plane must have been studying the island prior to the attacks that followed a few hours later.
His sister, Blanche Martin, who was 20 years old then, recalled: “I lived with my family in Balluta. I remember having to help my younger brother down the steps. There were 96 steps. We then took shelter in a large garage underneath the apartments and were later told how dangerous that was... After that, whenever there was an air raid, we took shelter in a tunnel leading to the sea located across the road.”
She recounted that the bombing was worse in 1941 when the Germans attached. Once she was thrown out of the apartment by a blast. Thankfully, they were living on the ground floor then. Her brothers then started shouting “shrapnel, shrapnel” as they called her back into the building.
COMMEMORATION
The sounding of the air raid warning siren today was organised by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, which is holding a commemorative weekend at the Malta at War Museum, Couvre Porte, Vittoriosa. Tomorrow, the Malta at War Museum will remain open till 8.00pm. Special guided tours around the museum and underground shelters will be offered in Maltese and English.
On Sunday at 11.00am a public lecture on the first day of the war in Malta will be delivered at the same place by Mario Farrugia, Chairman FWA. This will be followed by a short re-enactment of air-raid warning procedures during WW2. Throughout the same period there will also be an exhibition of wartime photographs.
Entrance to all of these events is free except the entrance to the museum itself which will be specially discounted for the occasion at €5 instead of the normal €8. Children under 16 years and FWA members will enter for free.
The museum is near the original main entrance into Vittoriosa (Birgu).
For more information contact Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna on Tel: 21800992, 21803091, Malta at War Museum Tel: 21896617or email them directly at info@wirtartna.org
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Robert Falzon
Jun 13th 2010, 20:36
It is hard to believe that 70 years have passed since Malta was forced into war although technically we already were at war since 3 September 1939 when Britain declared war on Germany after the invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939.
My late uncle Charles Falzon was nearly killed when the canon he was manning together with his mates around Sliema or Ta Xbiex was bombed. He was lucky to have come out of that attack with just burns and damage to his hearing. I remember him telling me that his mum used to send his brother Valent, my father to visit him in hospital at Msida with freshly cooked rabbit pies.
My dad even though he lived in Balzan still wears the scar of shrapnel on his chest which was caused by a German dive bomber dropping a bomb which luckily fell on a mound of dirt and this was not near the harbour but in inland Hal Balzan (dad was about 14 at the time).
The Maltese went through a lot of hardship and showed great courage during WWII we always remember that.
Christopher Grainger
Jun 13th 2010, 09:37
From the point of view of an observer of history : The full significance of Malta during the second world war is often overlooked, it can be fairly argued that it was absolutely pivotal in the outcome to that conflict.
Axis resources of manpower and machinery were in Europe, the battle for the control of oilfields taking place in North Africa. At the height of the battle 80% of everything being sent from Europe to support the Afrika corps was being sent to the bottom of the Mediterranean by Maltese based forces.
Consider for a moment the likely outcome had those tanks, guns, munitions, fuel and personnel been available.
Attempting to neutralise Malta as an operational base effectively created a third front which drew resources (Fliegerkorps X) from the Russian campaign, which in time proved unsustainable.
The larger picture appears to be that the influence Malta had on the outcome of that conflict is so great as to be incalculable.
Portelli James
Jun 13th 2010, 08:08
As a Maltese living abroad I don't know whether to laugh or cry reading these comments. I'm reminded of the comics I read depicting petty arguments leading to brawls in a Gaul village. "Asterix and Obelix Reloaded". But, not funny … pathetic.
Facts:
1. Colony or not, Malta, in 'Mare Nostum' was within Italy's imperial sight. Therefore, British and Maltese were in it together. They fought /succeeded together (helped by allies and a stoic/indomitable belief in Divine providence);
2. Malta suffered almost 25% more aerial tonnage (excluding incendiaries) than did Britain in the protracted London Blitzes;
3. Malta suffered EVERY DAY an average of more than twice Pearl Harbor X 51 months!! Pearl Harbor saw around 400 planes … Not to diminish this; but Malta suffered 3,340 raids (sometimes 8 sorties/day!);
4. A comparison can be drawn with the Channel isles that were occupied. Their experience strengthens the argument for Malta's defence by Maltese / British.
We are the sum of people we meet and experiences we go through. No Hollywood film commemorates Wartime Malta but we do have a more definitive sign of valour. The George Cross on our flag bears witness. It is part of who we are.
Joe Ciliberti
Jun 12th 2010, 18:39
Mr WPFlynn wrote: 'So you think Malta and all its history and all its trials and wars should be defined by one medal....' And it should wear it on the Flag?
Yes indeed, what exactly is wrong with this? It was one of the most defining moments in Malta's and Europe's history and for a small nation like us, it's perfectly right to have it on our flag. You perhaps need to understand that we actually have a flag that even manages to remind all of this particular moment , which is itself a clever idea.
'The medal is the medal; the Flag is above and beyond all medals'
You're right there and to put a medal on the flag is twinning two very important matters. Since we are in world-cup mode just now, just observe the national football teams' badges and you'd see that their flags do change each time a nation wins the WCup.
''That Mother-Rock saved us it’s too hard to invade''
The Axis invaded sandy beaches, snowy fields and rocky surfaces all over Europe. Unless you think our rock is special enough to have kept the Axis at bay...
A sense of proportion, please.
Muscat Pat
Jun 12th 2010, 16:29
For once, History, was on our side, when we became a British colony. Of course, writing this comment in 2010, gives one a great advantage,over those who, instead, wanted to be redeemed by Italy in the 19 20.s !Probably we would have been more creative, more cultured musically and, of course, more refined chefs. But otherwsise, I shudder to think what the Mafia, the Pizzo and all the other criminal pestillence would have thrown at us! No wonder our Italian friends find Malta a heaven (till now) for business, and find the Anglo-Saxon commercial laws and beaurocracy less stifling.
Ivan Cocker
Jun 12th 2010, 14:24
Instead arguing what is black and white in war, which there is none, as in war there is just grey, we should thank all the galant and stubborn Maltese, the Commonwealth and British fighter pilots, bombers, soldiers, sailors and servicemen who sacrificed their lives to save this rock. We should also give praise to our oldest architecture, the rubblewall as without knowing these walls prevented the Luftwaffe to use their gliders and elite paratroopers landing and invading old Malta. Practically this simple implement and stubborn defence and the loss of many lives in Crete put Hitler and Skorzeny in a difficult situation to unleash Operation Hercules, which might have result in a complete Axis victory as at that period Malta was in it's dire straits.
We shall also give credit to our Axis enemy as many did not give a damn to politics and nazism but were obeying orders .
So we shall never forget you, and yes the GC should remain on our flag in memory of those 3 terrible years as after that Allies went for the offensive and paid to win the war.
Evarist Saliba
Jun 12th 2010, 09:07
I lived though the war. For truth's sake, Mussolini did not order the bombing of Malta because his enemy was here. Britain did not declare war on Italy: it was Italy which declared war on Britain. Even before the war, Mussolini declared Malta as an unredeemed part of Italy, so he was determined to take it back, irrespective of what the Maltese may have wished. This was in line with his wars against Abyssinia, Albania and Greece.As for the George Cross, this was not foisted on the nation against its wishes, and its presence there has been endorsed by the demorcatically elected representatives in Malta, even after independence.
William P Flynn
Jun 12th 2010, 10:47
True enough Mr.Saliba. But you'd know perhaps more than most that neither of the two PM's who acquiesced to the GC on the Flag could do much.
At Independence and Republic, the British lovers would have presented difficulties at two politically sensitive moments in history; and the two goals had immense urgency and priority.
I understand that. Who can blame them from a tactical point of view for ticking the GC Flag into the Constitution at that time?
But don't you think they left the door open for a time down the track to revisit this question by the way the Constitution is worded?
And may I ask this. A couple of years ago someone who was a very senior public servant at Republic time, wrote in and told the story when he highlighted the Flag issue to PM Mintoff.
He said that Mr Mintoff hardly gave the issue a minute’s attention. By any chance were you that public servant?
How I wish I kept a copy of that letter. Can you provide any info please? If it wasn’t you I hope the gentleman is reading this so he may again tell the story.
Evarist Saliba
Jun 12th 2010, 13:49
@ William P. Flynn
Just to answer your question before your comment starts an unfounded rumour.
I never discussed the Malta's flag with Mr Mintoff or any other prime minister.
Thank you for admitted that my comment is "true enough".
Evarist Saliba
Jun 12th 2010, 14:50
As to the comment that our prime ministers could not do much, I would point out two relevant historical facts.
When the George Cross was first incorporated in the red and white flag of Malta it was against a blue square as a background. This was the colour of the ribbon which goes with the George Cross and not the blue background to the cross of St Andrew in the Union Jack.
The blue background was replaced by a red outline during the independence negotiations on the insistence of the Maltese prime minister.
His successor as prime minister went much further and removed H.M. the Queen of England from being of Malta, a much bolder move.
Significant changes could and were made, and to credit of both political parties these did not include the removal from our flag the George Cross, awarded for gallantry during WWII, to the people of Malta.
William P Flynn
Jun 12th 2010, 16:15
Mr.Saliba It’s just a question.
That the 2PM's couldn't do much was meant politically stir the pot further by throwing the Flag into the mix at that time.
Cosmetics by Maltese leaders compound the guilt;after that they became partners-in-crime with Gort.
My "true enough" remark was in relation to your saying "the GC was not foisted" upon us. The GC wasn't foisted but the GC on the Flag was in 1942. The GC medal and GC Flag are always getting mixed up.
It's disappointing to see people like you unable to see the shame of supporting a medal being placed on our Flag; but so be it. It’s the young that matter for they have the numbers.
I’ve seen nothing to sway my own steadfast belief that nothing and no one is worth changing the Flag over; for no patriot would want his country’s flag changed over him or his bravery. I am certain that the Maltese who died in the war would be horrified to see our Flag defaced like this; and by an Englishman; a colonial master.
I haven't as yet done run out of ammo in my undying efforts to restore our Flag. I'll never give up.
Evarist Saliba
Jun 16th 2010, 16:25
@Mr Flynn
Let me assure you that the slight delay in reacting is not because I am cowering from fear of your unspent ammunition, which, judging by your latest contribution, may be more like a noisy wild shot from a blunderbuss.
Still, do not let me discourage you from your crusades to bring enlightenment to the Maltese nation.
Joseph Ellul - Sydney
Jun 12th 2010, 09:01
In all its history Malta was a gem in the hands of those who held it. It is no secret that these islands suffered from invasions. It is after these hard battles that fortifications were strengthened and new ones built and other works done. Malta recieved funds for its defence and with this came education and trades. Up till the 1960's these islands had some value to the great nations. Nowadays Malta is no longer strategic and it is a pity that we have to beg from our neighbours for funds to fix this old rock. In these last few years both Libya and Italy disrespected Malta. Both will not let Malta have its own oil. Open your eyes and look around you. With or without the GC the Maltese Flag is just a memento. Habits die hard but the old Maltese gemgem will never die. Hard times are coming and all you do is argue. No wonder the pomms gave you a GC. It kept your mind off the real arguement and still does. Get real and start using your brains.
James Galea
Jun 12th 2010, 14:07
“Habits die hard but the old Maltese gem gem will never die. Hard times are coming and all you do is argue. No wonder the pommes gave you a GC. It kept your mind off the real argument and still does. Get real and start using your brains.”
Just like you did MR Joseph Ellul and went Sydney. It’s not polite of a Maltese to address his ancestors in Malta In the second party and tell them to start using their brains. All these arguments are second to none of important to us. We just argue for the sake of the argument and nothing else. We have time for other types of discussions but it’s not going to be an ex Maltese who decided to abandon this rock who is going to teach us when to start using our brains
Joseph Ellul - Sydney
Jun 13th 2010, 01:46
@J Galea. I am Maltese and It was the LP that banished me from Malta. Now that I answered your questions, I will tell you why you should discuss the future. I read and sometimes comment but it seems that Maltese people do not like to read the financial columns. There are many wise people who try to inform you on the TOM regard current affairs and financial matters and yet there is little or no comment. I take this as negativity on the common man. When Mr Lino Spiteri speaks his mind few people if any comment and some just try to color him as political. Every one who has some political connection in Malta is tarnished and if he does not he will be assessed as political. The facts are that:
Malta is loosing bright people due to stigma.
Malta remains in the heart of all expatriates
The GC is on the flag and should remain. (This has nothing to do with my opinion.)
Malta is no longer an important factor in World affairs.
Lino Spiteri is a great teacher and if you and your like follow his teachings you would be better off.
William P Flynn
Jun 12th 2010, 00:45
@RobertDonnelly
I was your brother Donny's friend as kids/teenagers. I was born during the war. I remember your father well.
These comments always lose substance because of the economy of words.
All the men in my family contributed to the war effort.
Some worked even when under fire at the dockyards and my uncles were gunners trying to shoot down enemy bombers. I lost my maternal grandfather during the war; my grandmother and her children came out after an air-raid-shelter and theor whole block in Birgu was gone.
I know of many Maltese servicemen, dockyard workers, and ordinary people who fought, worked and died under unimaginable suffering. Many continued suffering after the war.
But I know this: the British had offered Malta to Mussolini before the War as appeasement. The British didn't save us, we saved them. The British Governor insulted our ancient Flag.
And you'd know this one as much as me Robert, the British forgot all about us after the war and made us beg for every morsel and crumb.
That Mother-Rock saved us it’s too hard to invade. We owe nothing to the British; they’re our debtors. Long may you/I love our Tue Flag. Sahhiet.
james Galea
Jun 12th 2010, 13:57
Quote” The George Cross (GC) is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Malta was the only country to receive the George cross as a whole nation. It is irrelevant who gave it to us at the time being. For me it just reminds me that our fathers showed great bravery in those difficult days where they suffered almost to starvation.
The cross on the flag is there to remind and teach every one of this. What hurts me is that some Maltese People do not appreciate this honour and just want the whole world not to Know about this. If we were to remove it from our flag we will be erasing part of our history.
Joe Ciliberti
Jun 11th 2010, 23:53
@MrWallyVellaZarb: The George Cross was one great way of Britain appreciating the role of the Maltese that bravely fought the Germans and the Italians. Our forefathers, together with the Brits and allied troops kept the Germans and the Italians at bay, and even went on to strike back from our aerodromes on Malta and Gozo . And you want to rubbish all this? You want to rubbish the sweat, the blood and the death of all our forefathers as if it was Britain that brought all this mayhem to our shores? Could you at least ask yourself who rained bombs on us? Was it the Brits or was it the Nazis and Fascists? I certainly am proud to be Maltese, proud to have the George Cross on my nation' s flag and thank God that our forefathers and Britain fought for Malta to remain out of the Axis's clutches. Britain takes great pain before it issues one George Cross medal to a single person so to present the George Cross to the whole population of one nation speaks loads on how much Britain appreciated Malta's role in WW2.
William P Flynn
Jun 12th 2010, 10:32
So you think Malta and all its history and all its trials and wars should be defined by one medal.
And it should wear it on the Flag. Don't you know that only King George VI could have allowed that? And he would have been most unlikely to allow it and now, only his successor can authorise it; and she's unlikely to do so?
Do we want a medal that can now be awarded to a policeman for disarming a bandit to define our country and our Flag. I accept it means more to us; but in reality it's a medal.
The medal is the medal; the Flag is above and beyond all medals.
The Flag is our sacred cloth, the medal is recognition. Two different things.
A sense of proportion, please.
James De Giorgio
Jun 12th 2010, 13:39
Nahh, I'm all for keeping the George Cross on the flag. It just fits. We were victors in the world's bloodiest war, and it highlights the maltese-british connection beautifully.
After all, we're happily (or not so happily) discussing the issue in English, one of the official languages of the islands, and the GC is testimony to why English and English customs are so important to these islands.
Gibraltar reminded me a lot of Malta; same climate, same stock of people, countless Maltese (even the PM there is Maltese), along with telephone boxes and mail boxes all in red, signs in English.
It's who we are; Mediterranean with a high dose of English and that's our heritage.
We're Maltese first and foremost: that is shown by our red and white flag. And highly tied to our English legacy, represented by the small GC.
Moreover, for practicality purposes, it makes more sense to keep the George cross in order to avoid our flag being confused with the Polish one or the Monagesque flag by those who aren't that much into flags and banners!
Steve Evans
Jun 11th 2010, 21:09
So Mr Flynn, Has it not occured to you that it was the Normans and a certain Count Roger at that, who created your flag you are so proud of. (Bloody Foreigners Again!) even without the George Cross. Study your history!
A.Mangion
Jun 11th 2010, 22:07
The Normans and Count Roger had nothing to do with the Maltese flag Mr.Evans - even first grade children know that it is all a legend. The British spared us tyranny and murder by the Axis during the last war for sure but like all colonists it was all for the greater purpose of the empire! Hence thank you Malta and the Maltese for everything that's worth anything on this rock!
William P Flynn
Jun 12th 2010, 10:20
The officially oldest flag now, seeing as we allowed the Brit Lord Gort put graffiti on it, (and neither PM Borg Olvier or Dom Mintoff had the guts to restore it) is the Danish Flag. Legend has it that it fell out of the blue sky; which of course is factually accepted by the Danes.
Our White and Red goes back a thousand years. No news-media were there to photograph it or film it; same as no one was there to film or photograph Count Roger; but its legend is substantially more credible than the Danish.
I know one thing. I know our Flag is ancient and it was tampered with by a foreigner.
What's done is done, but the people still have a Constitutional ability to restore it if they so wish. More about this later.
Robert Donnelly
Jun 11th 2010, 20:52
William Flynn, as by your comments, you have no idea, what happened in Malta during the war. I did'nt see anything thanking the RMA ( Royal Malta Artillery ), the KOMR ( Kings Own Malta Regiment) , the Civil Engineers. They were all brave Maltese soldiers. One great Battery was San Gwan, located between Rahal Gdid and Luqa. Hompech was another great .Of course all of them were. The rock you are talking about saved thousands of civilians, by building shelters. But the military is the ones that shot the s... out of enemy. I am alive thanks to the Military and all the sailors that lost their lives. I love the Maltese Flag I give credit where credit is due. Please read your history. You may learn something. SAHHA
Robet Donnelly
Jun 11th 2010, 20:09
MR.Debono: Thank you for your true and unbiased comment. Mr. Wally V. Zarb have no idea what he was talking about. How many international merchant mariners lost their lives to save us. Most of them never seen MALTA, and gave their ultimate sacrifice. I remember the USS WASP ( Aircraft Carrier ) that flew the spitfires ( British ) from her deck, when we needed them the most. What about the the HM ships : Pampas:, Talabot that were half sunk in the harbour with the SS Ohio.. They were full of aviation fuel and ammunitions and the Breconshire sunk in Birzebbuga. With some of my friends we used to swim from ir-ramla to it.
William P Flynn
Jun 11th 2010, 19:42
No, Maltese brothers and sisters; it wasn't the British that saved Malta; it was the rock you're standing on - Malta rock.
The British weren't defending us they were stuck here too and were defending their own installations/interests/possessions.
They couldn't save/defend anyone; they needed saving themselves by the US.
Operation Pedestal, the greatest British Armada of that time, didn't even get past Cape Bon 240 Nautical Miles off Malta. It became the greatest naval debacle/mauling/defeat in British History. So how would they have stopped a Malta AXIS invasion?!
We suffered the war; where could we go? Who could help us? Our Mother Malta rock kept us and the British safe; not the other way around.
The Maltese flew the Pure White and Red during the war. That was the Flag they looked up to. The foreigner Lord Gort defaced our Mother Flag which is above all medals. He consulted no Maltese.
Our White and Red is the most ancient national Flag on earth.
No people should allow a colonialist-foreigner to deface their sacred Flag. Nor should we.
I will honour the White and Red to my dying day. The GC medal belongs in a museum not on our Flag.
ASpiteri
Jun 12th 2010, 02:12
brilliant...no need to add further comments!
Gerry Cowie
Jun 11th 2010, 19:40
Even after all this time there are those such as Wally Vella-Zarb who have an enormous chip on their shoulders about the British. As Mr Vella-Zarb should know, history cannot be re-written, and no amount of anti-British harping back is going to change things. Neither can Mr Vella-Zarb go back in time and tell the British not to come in and get rid of the French!
Move on!
wally vella-zarb
Jun 11th 2010, 21:16
If you really think that I "have an enormous chip on (my) shoulders about the British" you are either suffering from delusions of grandeur or old age is having its effects. I suspect that it could well be a case of both. As far as I am concerned, they were just a temporary nuisance whose last years here were financed by NATO because they could not afford it. Contrary to many of the people commenting here, I do not look up to ANY foreigners, least of all the British; never have and never will.
P.S. if you really want to know the history of our French and British occupation, read up some well researched books by such professional historians as Testa, Sammut and Pirotta, NOT the Laspina drivel that we were force-fed at school or those published by some obscure 'chief assistant to the assistant chief' whose only qualification was his being posted here by the 'Great Empire that was' to Lord it over the 'natives'..
William P Flynn
Jun 12th 2010, 01:06
MrCowie. The British interfered, took over, ridiculed and always pointed to the invitation when we objected to their treatment.
“Chip on the shoulder”? Britain squirms now that it can’t suck other people’s blood any more; no more pillaging and plundering,; they have to work like everyone else.
When the English arrived, the French were spent. The British soldiers were sick and couldn't fight and arrived just in time to accept Vaubois' surrender as he held out. It wouldn't have looked good on his CV to go back to his Emperor Napoleon and say, "A bunch of peasant kaċċaturi defeated me". So he insisted on surrendering to the British.
In the end the WWII caused the bankruptcy of Britain and its colonies learned how to fight them off their lands and sent them to dreary drab old Britian. And look at those ex-colonies now. Good riddance to the British rapacious Empire.
Robert Donnelly
Jun 11th 2010, 18:26
" Wally Vella Zarb", Mr. Vella, there is not enough room to express how I feel about your comments. I was 13 years old , living ir-rahal gdid during the WAR. I been and seen what your Italian friends tried to do to my MALTA ( Benito Mussolini, Conte Chiano, and yes Clara Petacci.). instead I seen them hung upside down. I want you to read these books: Malta Magnificent ; MALTA the great siege 1940-1943 : The Air Battle for MALTA ; Great battles of the world : World WAR 2, Then you can write all the comments you so desire. I have all sorts of litterature about MALTA. Too many to write. As far as the Red' White and Green you know what do do with it ? ? I am a Maltese American and vey proud of our MALTESE FLAG.
Lawrence Debono
Jun 11th 2010, 19:17
Hi Mr. Donnelly, I agree with you 100%. I would like to emphasize the critical stage that Malta was in 1942 and if it wasn't for the SS Ohio, Santa Elissa & the rest of op Pedestal, Malta would have been starved and deprived from defending itself. Who sent those ships and CREW over to the Mediterranean? Most of them never went back home. They came from the US! Very few appreciate the great efforts of the non-fighting personnel from the US and Canada, that produced and gave away enormous amounts of valuable material and food to the rest of the Allies. Even to the Russians received a lot of weaponry and planes from the US and the UK. Others brave individuals that came from South Africans, Australians, New Zealanders, New Guinea, and the numerous Indian and Nepalese regiments, should be remembered and thanked for their ultimate price that they paid to keep Europe free.
smifsud
Jun 11th 2010, 17:32
i am so moved by the events for this time in malta ...i want to thank my late father and mother Anthony and Antonia Mifsud from valletta for doing their part to save us as a family and the to defend the island along side all the rest of the Maltese and also i thank with all my heart all the British forces and the Canadian .Americans pilots who flew those Spitfires and the navy who safely brought the Ohio on Santa Maria safely to the Grand Harbour ......if i missed anyone please my thoughts are sincere to all who helped save this magnificent island ...God bless Malta .
Steve Evans
Jun 11th 2010, 17:16
I think many here should understand that Hitler had other intentions after the Jewish issue and that was to turn his attention to one of his other hates and that were Catholics, imagine what could have happened at a later date if he and the Nazi regime had taken Malta. So do spare a thought to those of all beliefs that defended your shores with respect.
Jesmond Micallef
Jun 11th 2010, 18:50
Mr. Evans, hitler had other intentions beyond the Jewish issue. You are absolutely quite right in saying this. I am sure it would have meant further systematic extermination of human beings by those who followed his orders and by those opportunists who gave the nazis whatever they needed, too.... Some people got almighty rich from that. !!! I still cannot stomach the gasing of humans and burning them in their large thousands. One thing for sure, one has to be emotionally different to carry out such an atrocity in an intelligent, technological and efficient manner. As a human being, I still cannot stomach how all that happened !! British Imperialism has had its time, both in good and in bad times. Indeed I am honestly gratefull to those brave people of the WW2 Allied Forces who fought against such emotionally cold indifference.
Lawrence Debono
Jun 11th 2010, 17:09
It makes more sense if certain individuals will put their brain in motion, before they start writing or flapping around. Please don't offend those who contributed to keep Malta off the tyranny of the Fascism and the Nazism regimes. Many people died for that cause and it is not respectable to ignore their cause. Maltese people would have VERY likely ended up like the Polish or the Rumanians (lined-up, shot and thrown in the water).
I have immense respect for all those who helped Malta stay VICTORIOUS. It was a monumental task and every Maltese should be PROUD of that! THANK YOU. If any one don't like the George Cross and don't like to stand behind the Maltese and Allied efforts to keep the Fascist and Nazis out, then they should have stayed in front.
Edward Mallia
Jun 11th 2010, 15:53
As a person dragged unwittingly into the article, may I suggest that despite my probable genetic (Mallia is a common western Sicily name and is present in the 1421 militia list), my possible cultural ( language has a different basis) and dubious political links with the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, I did not much like being showered with high explosive at an early age. Now that I have grown up and discovered what paradise the common people of the Regno delle Due Sicilie lived in before Unification and after it as well, possibly right down to now, compared to my people here, I like it even less. That is not to say that either of our colonial masters- the actual and the potential ( the South was treated like a colony before and after Unification) was some Good Samaritain. Which is why I do not wave any flags. But- with hindsight of course- neither am I in any doubt which choice I would make if presented with just those options. The other- a plague on both their houses, was never on offer until recently.
Mike F Abbot
Jun 11th 2010, 15:46
So many of our countrymen and women, our own relatives, died defending Malta. If it wasn't the British here, it would have been Italian or German troops. One hell would be replaced with another.
It does not make sense to blame the British for what happened and it's insulting to those who fought side by side with British troops. It was war and it's something that most of us, thankfully, have no experience. Most of us have no real understanding of what it meant - not the slightest idea and sadly that medal on the Maltese flag and what it represents means nothing to many Maltese.
I'm extremely proud of my Maltese grandfather who fought for his country alongside the British. That medal reminds me of him. It makes me proud to be Maltese.
Michael Vella
Jun 11th 2010, 15:22
@ Wally Vella Zarb
Whilst you are entitles to your opinion and i respect that, i can't help but disagree with almost everything you wrote below. My grandfather was a British soldier stationed in Malta and he fought tooth and nail for this island and also got seriously injured for his efforts. Your comments are extremely offensive to the memory of people like my grandfather and many other men and women who gave their lives trying to protect this island from Facist and Nazi occupation.
We were part of Italian Kingdom before the Knights settled in Malta and when the Knights came, the Italians hardly came running to help out during the Great Siege did they? Or do you only remember selective parts of ancient history?
As for that medal on our flag, better known as the George Cross, this was given to us Maltese to honour the men, women and children that did so much to prevent Europe (which Malta happens to be part of) falling into the hands of two lunatics...i.e. Mussolini and Hitler
Steven Camilleri
Jun 11th 2010, 13:01
Thank you Britain for not giving up , thankyou Commonweakth services for your contribution to making this world better .....if you gave up after Dunkirk only God know how this world would have changed , hang you tricolore from your balcony wally, maybe you were like those traitors that were taken for a holiday in uganda. Thank God for Christ and the British Empire ......you would still be running nude in some field if it wasen't for the Brits.....ohhh yeah, then we had Duminku comin to the frame....he saved us
wally vella-zarb
Jun 11th 2010, 16:19
I will have you know that I would only hang the PURE Malta Flag, White and Red, from my balcony and not any flag belonging to ANY foreign country.
As for your remarks about how I "would still be running nude in some field if it wasen't for the Brits", you must have been either drinking. I can trace my family (documented) till way back BEFORE the Knights came on the local scene and not to some dockside bar.
M Mifsud
Jun 11th 2010, 11:54
So, Mr Vella-Zarb, just asking: what would you have opted to? To be governed by Mussolini and treated like some third grade citizen 'from the south', worse than Sicilians? Do you really believe had we been governed by some other than the Brits we would not have been dragged in the war? We're talking of the war here not its aftermath. These guys simply came one morning and showered us with their bombs. And 70 years later some sport the tricolore on their balconies!
wally vella-zarb
Jun 11th 2010, 12:29
'What if?' questions are usually meaningless. History is written, often hastily, by the victors. What cannot be re-written is the fact that culturally and genetically - and even politically before the unification of Italy - we were part of the same 'Kingdom of the two Sicilies'. Do not be surprised at the people who display the Tricolore on their balconies; more surprising and annoying is the display of the flag of a country that treated us as de facto 'second-class' citizens, in our own land, for over 150 years and who arbitrarily chose to deface our National Flag with an effigy of one of their medals.
Jesmond Micallef
Jun 11th 2010, 13:10
Wally Velly Zarb, What does the following very british sample of english vocabulary remind you of ?
Illustrious, Victorious, Invincible, Conqueror, Glorious, Formidable, Majestic, Inflexible, Implacable,Repluse, Revenge, Vengeance,Collosus, Audacious, Valiant, Magnificent, Warrior, Devastation, Triumph, Indomitable, Indefatigable, Courageous, Glory, Warspite etc etc etc etc etc................!!!
James Galea
Jun 11th 2010, 13:40
So we were treated as second class citizens in our own country. You have to remember that we were conquered and if you look way back to the past it was the Maltese that preferred the British and not the French or the knights of st. John. In those days Independence was only a dream for small countries like ours. But during the war period if one had to choose who is to conquer him it would have been the British. One has only to recall what the Italians did to the Libyans, or what the French did in Algeria. I suppose things would not have ended up nice if all of a sudden Italy decided to conquer us just like it did in Ethiopia (just open an encyclopaedia and check). At those times the Maltese shuddered at the possibility of Hitler ever conquering Malta. The presence of the British Empire here in Malta was a necessary evil. We needed them here. The fact that we were dragged into the war was inevitable, few countries managed to stay out and I do not think that an independent Malta could have managed to do so.
M.Mifsud
Jun 11th 2010, 13:47
The question is plain and simple: did they or did they not shower us with bombs? Did they or did they not kill innocent Maltese like you and I?
wally vella-zarb
Jun 11th 2010, 16:05
@ Jesmond Micallef
The words that you quoted, "Illustrious, Victorious, Invincible, Conqueror, Glorious, Formidable, Majestic, Inflexible, Implacable,Repluse, Revenge, Vengeance,Collosus, Audacious, Valiant, Magnificent, Warrior, Devastation, Triumph, Indomitable, Indefatigable, Courageous, Glory, Warspite etc etc etc etc etc................!!!" all remind me of ONE simple word that is very apt:
A-R-R-O-G-A-N-C-E !!!
...of which we had surfeit over a period of occupation that lasted 150 years.
wally vella-zarb
Jun 11th 2010, 16:11
@ M Mifsud
You asked "The question is plain and simple: did they or did they not shower us with bombs? "
The answer is also plain and simple:"Yes, they did - because their enemy had a base here, in the same way that the Allies showered THEIR enemies with similar hardware".
James Galea
Jun 11th 2010, 16:50
@mar Vella-zarb
My opinion is that you go back to your history lessons, not as far as your family history but more recent. I cannot understand why you keep blaming the British for what happened to Malta during the World War 2. These kind of wrong teachings remind me back in the 1979 period when we were being bombarded with hate toward the British to justify their supposing dismissal from Malta. Little did they tell us that they wanted to leave any way.
Christian Sciberras
Jun 11th 2010, 11:51
70 years of degradation in our defenses.
Many dream of another country helping Malta in times of need.
But don't forget, Malta's arrogance in obtaining independence means no one would care less, if not pleased by Malta's eradication.
Yet we invest in failed entertainment (eg music, football) and rescue boats.
Oh and WW2-class anti-aircraft guns..
ASpiteri
Jun 11th 2010, 11:47
...and all we’ve got was a lousy george cross on our flag!
Michael Vella
Jun 11th 2010, 15:04
We also got our freedom, including our freedom of speech, which is exactly why people like yourself are allowed to write as they do.
Joseph Mallia
Jun 11th 2010, 15:52
You know what the British can do with their George Cross don't you? work it out for yourselves guys. On a happier note... Viva Juventus, italia for the cup.
Michael Vella
Jun 11th 2010, 18:21
@ J. Mallia Not quite sure what Juventus and Italian football have to do with this article, football is a sport, war was anything but. Having said that i am glad you wrote the comment you did as it goes a long way to show how immature, obnoxious and utterly stupid you are!
Sandy Merceica
Jun 11th 2010, 10:46
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DTkjmGxbAQ&feature=related
Jesmond Micallef
Jun 11th 2010, 10:13
There are people of my generation that never met their grandfathers. Some died as a direct consequence of the bombing while others becuase of lack of medicine, poor treatment to injuries and lack of safe healthy work practice. There where also babies born, alot of them never made it to childhood. I have indeed never met both of my grandfathers and would be uncles or aunties. Both of my parents lost their fathers when they were still very young insecure children, my mother being 7 years old and my father, 5. Both of my grandmothers suffered extreme hardship in bringing up their own children as all widowed mothers would do.
I also pay my respect to those thousands of Maltese people who left Malta after the war in order to seek a prosperous future elsewhere, as Malta back then did not enjoy the benefits of any "economic miracle" !!
On this day, I would also like to thank the British Forces on the island who protected Malta during those days of technological savagery brought about by a bunch of "proud" primitive neanderthals who did not just ignite a war but also collected and exterminated human beings like poultry.
wally vella-zarb
Jun 11th 2010, 11:42
"I would also like to thank the British Forces on the island who protected Malta "
Yes, it was thanks to their presence that Malta was dragged into the war. Malta lost many of its citizens, only to be discarded like a squeezed lemon after the conflict ended. The most significant 'thank you' that we were awarded in compensation was the massive rundown in employment at the dockyard when thousands lost their employment and were constrained to emigrate.
Jesmond Micallef
Jun 11th 2010, 12:48
Wally Vella Zarb. Malta was a British Military Base back then, they had to defend Malta, no !! Gratitude to the British Forces for protecting the most "Vulnerable and the Helpless" indeed. !!! Our own flag carries the Cross of George..........eh...........Have you ever wondered how to make a Maltese cross ?
Anton Zammit
Jun 11th 2010, 09:43
Nittama li l-Maltin ta' zmienna jitghallmu xi haga mil-kuragg u l-fibra li kellhom dawn in-nies. Meta ma' wicchom ma' kellhom xejn hlief problemi u periklu, flok irribellaw daru lejn Alla u talbu l-ghajnuna tieghu.