I congratulate John Mizzi and Maltapost for the booklet published as part of the special stamp issue to mark the 70th anniversary of the Santa Marija Convoy.

Only those who lived through that difficult experience can appreciate Malta’s dire situation Malta then. Had the island surrendered to the Italians, many would have still died from starvation. Italy and Germany had their problems and it is doubtful if any provisions would have arrived in time to the Maltese.

In my memoirs A Child In The Second World War, published in The Sunday Times, I gave a graphic description of the sufferings endured by ordinary people.

Without Operation Pedestal, as the convoy was codenamed, the war would have taken a different turn. The North African campaign would have become very difficult for the Allies and the eventual landings in Sicily and Italy might not have been possible.

After so many years, few can appreciate why King George VI awarded the George Cross to all the people of Malta. As this book illustrates, Britain did far more than just present an honour. It dedicated many ships, provisions and the lives of sailors so that we could be free from tyranny.

Current generations, both in Malta and the UK would do well to study this book and other historical writings.