When 18-year-old Allan Shaw came to Malta on the British convoy bringing supplies during World War II, he found “pandemonium” in the Grand Harbour.
“Bombs were being dropped everywhere and guns were being fired – everyone was going deaf with the sound,” Mr Shaw told The Times yesterday.
Mr Shaw was one of 12 veterans currently in Malta to mark the 70th anniversary of Operation Pedestal – the convoy that saved the island when it was running desperately low on supplies during the war in August 1942.
The young seaman had been stationed on the American oil tanker SS Ohio and had no idea of the convoy’s final destination.
“You never know where you are going – sometimes you could get an inkling from the type of cargo on the ship but otherwise we would only find out when the ship drops anchor,” he said.
Carrying precious fuel, the Ohio was one of a number of merchant vessels, heavily guarded by British warships, which were trying to break through the Italian and German defence in the Mediterranean.
“At the time it was just a normal trip but now it means a great honour to me. Now I realise just how important the convoy was – it’s part of history and it’s an honour for me to be part of it,” he said.
It was important that the older generation continued to pass on the story of what happened.
“They will never forget but they have to keep on telling the story to the young ones,” he said.
Mr Shaw was joined by 90-year-old former diver Jim Hutchison, who regularly visits Malta to take part in the commemoration services.
A gunner and diver on HMS Phoebe, the anti-aircraft light cruiser that formed part of the Santa Marija Convoy, Mr Hutchison said he “couldn’t really explain” what it meant to be part of Operation Pedestal.
“Knowing what we were doing and the state Malta was in – we were determined to get through whatever happened and we were lucky to get so many ships in,” he said.
Mr Hutchison explained the HMS Phoebe’s job was to escort HMS Indomitable.
“We used to fire a box barrage to protect the carrier from diving bombers, but in the end it was badly damaged... I’m so proud to be here – it was an honour to take part in Operation Pedestal,” he said.
The Santa Marija Convoy Commemoration was held on Monday evening by the Apostleship of the Sea by the old Customs House in Valletta.
It started with an ecumenical service followed by a wreath-laying ceremony in the middle of Grand Harbour to remember those who died during the operation.
Stepping back in time
In the summer of 1942, Malta was in dire need of food and fuel and a huge convoy of 77 battleships and submarines by the name of Operation Pedestal escorted 14 merchant ships from Britain to Malta.
As the ships neared the island, they came under massive sea and air attack.
Nine cargo ships sank and the remaining five, including the tanker SS Ohio, were damaged.
On August 13, four vessels reached the Grand Harbour and two days later, on the feast of the Assumption, the sinking Ohio was towed in by two destroyers and a set of tug boats.
• 6,728 – Tons of bombs dropped on Malta in April, 1942.
• 3,340 – Air raid alerts over Malta during siege.
• 170 – Average number of enemy aircraft flying over Malta every day between December 1941 and April 1942.
• 30,027 – Maltese buildings destroyed and damaged during the siege.
• 454 – Enemy aircraft destroyed or damaged by Malta’s anti-aircraft gunners during siege.
• 55,000 – Tons that arrived with the convoy.
• 400 – People who died during Operation Pedestal.
What does Operation Pedestal mean to today’s young people?
Kim Dalli takes to the streets of Valletta and finds that it means nothing... although the Santa Marija convoy does sound slightly more familiar.
Daniel Grech, 16, from Mġarr
I haven’t heard of Operation Pedestal. As to the Santa Marija convoy, I do recall that its arrival on August 15 practically saved the islands from starvation during World War II.
Steven Loffreda, 22, from Cospicua
I’m not sure what Operation Pedestal is… Is it related to medicine? During World War II, the Santa Marija convoy brought in urgently needed food supplies, which radically improved the state of affairs.
Diane Parnis, 14, from Luqa
I have no idea what Operation Pedestal is. However, I know that the Santa Marija convoy was a group of ships launched to supply the Maltese islands with food. The final tanker to arrive was sinking and had to be towed into the harbour by two other vessels.
Claudine Fenech, 19, from Marsascala
I don’t know what they are. I’m not much into history.
Kelly Schembri, 18, of Fgura
I’m not aware of what Operation Pedestal is. As for Santa Marija convoy, it brought in food supplies during World War II.