George Cross documentary produced by DOI

A documentary featuring original footage of the George Cross award ceremony in bomb battered Palace Square, Valletta, has been produced by the Department of Information to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the award.

Malta was awarded the GC in recognition of its continuing heroic struggle against Italian and German air attacks at a time when Adolf Hitler ordered that the Maltese Islands should be "neutralised" by air attacks in preparation for a German invasion.

In his message to the island's governor, King George VI said: "To honour her brave people I award the George Cross to the Island Fortress of Malta, to bear witness to a heroism and a devotion that will long be famous in history."

Malta was the first British Commonwealth country to receive the bravery award - second only in ranking to the Victoria Cross - which is normally only awarded to individuals.

The documentary DVD, in Maltese and English, can be bought from the DOI in Valletta for €5.