A Smithsonian museum in Washington is in the process of amending two maps wrongly indicating that Malta was invaded and overrun by the Axis forces during World War II.

The mistake was noticed by The Times deputy night editor Joseph Micallef when visiting the National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Centre, last month. The historical error appeared on two identical maps of Europe indicating which countries were part of the Allied forces and which were under the control of the Axis.

Mr Micallef immediately wrote to the Smithsonian Institution pointing out the error. In an e-mail titled Malta Wrongly Identified, Mr Micallef noted that it was common knowledge that Malta was part of the British Empire and the island had distinguished itself by resisting the onslaught of the German Luftwaffe. Winston Churchill had described it as “the unsinkable aircraft carrier” and King George VI awarded it the George Cross.

“With Malta being so small, it would only take a drop of paint or ink to remedy the situation but, for the sake of correctness, I think some attention should be paid to this wrong identification. We Maltese are just as proud of ourselves and our national heritage as any American is of his national history, even if we are minute compared to the United States,” Mr Micallef wrote.

The Smithsonian was quick to acknowledge the e-mail, saying it was being forwarded to the staff at the museum for their attention. A week later, no communication was made and when Mr Micallef visited the museum again before returning to Malta the mistake was still there.

Last week, however, Mr Micallef received confirmation from Laura Duff, the museum’s public relations officer, that the curatorial team was working to get the map corrected as quickly as possible.