Some 30,000 buildings were damaged and destroyed, especially in Valletta and the harbour area.

The Mediterranean is a sea of tension and conflict. Different global and regional players sought to have a foothold in the area over the years in order to protect their various interests. Malta has often found itself (often reluctantly) in the midst of such conflicts.

In 1928, the Fascist regime in Italy strengthened Sicily with a larger presence of the Regia Aeronautica. Italy adopted a more aggressive foreign policy and strove for the creation of its own empire. The British, who up until that point were Italy’s allies, felt that these developments could threaten their imperial interests.

In 1935, the Imperial Government transferred the Mediterranean fleet from Malta to Alexandria. Tensions between Britain and Italy were rife following the Abyssinian crisis. Moreover, Britain became wary of Italy’s overtures to the Third Reich at a time of intense Anglo-German rivalry.

As the threat of war loomed, there were increasing doubts about the adequacy of Malta’s defences

The transfer of the Med-iterranean fleet did not diminish Malta’s strategic value. The Mediterranean was still a major route for merchant ships, warships and vessels transporting fuel for military and civilian purposes, and Malta was one of the major ports of call. On the strategic side, the Dockyard remained an effective repair base and a contingent of destroyers and submarines was based in Malta.

However, as the threat of war loomed, there were increasing doubts about the adequacy of Malta’s defences.

Governor Sir Charles Bonham-Carter expressed concern at the perceived number of espionage activities. Lieutenant-Governor Sir Harry Luke noted that even the “educated Maltese are beginning to lose confidence… in our apparent lack of readiness.”

Efforts were made to reinforce the defences of the island. Malta was the first British overseas base to be equipped with radar technology which could intercept enemy movements in the Central Mediterranean.

Mussolini’s neutrality during the months following the September 1939 declaration of war gave the Imperial Government time to ensure that Maltese defences were ready for conflict.

Rumours of a plan to offer up Malta to Italy in exchange for its neutrality emerged later. However, these proposals are only mentioned in incomplete records. In the event, these plans were never taken up.

Italy’s neutrality was short-lived. Incensed by the German conquest of Poland and successful advances in France, Italy declared war on the Allied powers on June 10, 1940.

Malta experienced its first air raid the following day. Mussolini wanted Malta to capitulate at all costs. He viewed Italy as being “imprisoned in the Mediterranean” with Corsica, Tunis, Malta and Cyprus as the bars of the prison and Gibraltar and Suez acting as sentinels.

The Siege of Malta (1940 – 1942)

The effects of the war were devastating. The situation took a turn for the worse after the Luftwaffe began bombing the island in spring 1941.

Families left urban areas and went on to live with relatives in the countryside. Others rented accommodation. Food shortages and rationing were the order of the day.

Hectares of land were bombed and rendered unsuitable for farming. Hunger was rife. Michael Gonzi, then Bishop of Gozo, made an appeal to collect as much grain as possible from the Gozitan harvest and send it over to Malta. Communal kitchens (‘Victory Kitchens’) were set up and harsh penalties were imposed on anyone caught stealing food. The award of the George Cross in April 1942 strengthened the morale and the resolve of the population; but it did little to improve the welfare of the citizens.

In August 1942, an initiative code-named Operation Pedestal was launched in order to provide a convoy with vital supplies. Although much welcome, Mabel Strickland would later remark that: “five ships could not in any way alleviate the conditions under which the garrison and people lived.”

Capitulation had to be avoided at all costs in order to ensure that the Allies’ Mediterranean war strategy would succeed. Moreover, the War Office and the Royal Air Force recognised Malta’s potential role in a subsequent invasion of southern Italy.

Britain strengthened the Maltese garrison further with 18 AA guns and infantry battalion. The island was a perfect base to interrupt the flow of Axis supplies to the North African front and Rommel’s Afrika Korps. Between August and November 1942, Malta-based forces were responsible for approximately 72 per cent of Italian shipping losses.

In October 1942, the Luftwaffe launched its last fierce attack on Malta. The islands failed to surrender and the German Army opted to focus its depleting resources on the North African front which was beginning to succumb to advancing Allied forces.

Malta-based operations were responsible for the loss of 532 Axis aircraft and the sinking of 2,304 merchant vessels. The Allied forces emerged victorious; perhaps against all odds.

In 1943, air attacks on Malta decreased as Allied forces won key battles in North Africa. By June of the same year, Malta was assigned the role of Operational HQ for the Allied invasion of Sicily. Malta acted as a fighter base providing vital air cover to invading forces. The bulk of these forces attacked from ports in Tunisia, Algeria and Libya.

This operation – code-named Operation Husky – was commandeered by Generals Eisenhower and Patton of the US Army, Generals Alexander and Montgomery of the British Army, Air Chief Marshal Tedder of the Royal Air Force and Major General Guy Simonds of the Canadian Army.

The Sicilian campaign ended in August 1943. A month later, on September 8, 1943, the Italian fleet sailed into Grand Harbour to sign the instruments of surrender. This successful final act came after three years of extreme hardship during which victory was very much in doubt.

Malta’s involvement in World War II came at a high price. Some 30,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed, 2,301 airmen were killed or wounded and approximately 1,300 civilians lost their lives.

In terms of equipment, the Allied forces lost two aircraft carriers, four cruisers, 19 destroyers, 40 submarines and 369 air fighters.

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