Situated halfway between Europe and Africa, Malta played a central role in the battles for
the mastery of North Africa. The island was the
vital supply base for British and Imperial troops in the to-and-fro desert
campaigns against first Italy
and then Germany and Rommel's Afrika Korps.
The three-year siege of Malta was one of the longest sieges
in history. In this thrilling account the author, who first came to know and
love Malta whilst serving with the Royal
Navy during the Second World War, paints a vivid picture of the suffering of the
island and its population. He draws on personal accounts and reminiscences of
the participants; he tells of the occasional despair that turned to joy when the
convoys got through with much-needed supplies and of the bravery of both the
civilians and the armed forces stationed there that won for Malta the George
Cross.
