Award of the George Cross to Malta
The
Historical background
This section's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. (January 2017) |
Italian and German bombers attacked the Maltese islands and there was a lack of supplies. An invasion threat in July 1941 failed when coast defenders spotted
The George Cross was awarded during the worst period for the
At the time of the George Cross award, military resources and food rations in Malta were practically depleted. Fuel was restricted to military action and heavily rationed, the population was on the brink of starvation, and even ammunition was running out, such that Anti-Aircraft (AA) guns could only fire a few rounds per day.[3]
Italian battleships of the Regia Marina out-gunned the British, yet the Royal Navy was not out-classed.[4] The German airforce had superior aircraft until Spitfires were sent to Malta in 1942. Also at this time, German and Italian plans for Operation Herkules, a sea and air invasion of the Maltese Islands, had to be repeatedly postponed – until it was too late because the Maltese Islands finally received a vital supply of fuel, food, and munitions.
On 15 August 1942 (the feast day of Santa Marija also known as Assumption of Mary Day) a convoy of Royal and Merchant Navy ships finally made port in Convoy of Santa Maria[5] at Valletta's Grand Harbour, after completing what has been considered one of the most heroic maritime episodes in recent history.
The George Cross Award
The George Cross was instituted by
Awarded to Malta
One of only three collective awards of the George Cross was the award to Malta.[8] This award was made by King George VI in a handwritten letter:
"The Governor
Malta
To honour her brave people I award the George Cross to the Island Fortress of Malta to bear witness to a heroism and devotion that will long be famous in history.
George R.I.
Lieutenant-General
"By God's help, Malta will not weaken but will endure until victory is won.[10]"
A public award ceremony in Valletta was held on 13 September 1942, after the arrival of the Santa Maria Convoy.[11]
Today
The Cross and the King's message are today found in the National War Museum in Fort Saint Elmo, Valletta.
Harrods department store[12] flew the Maltese flag to mark Malta's 70th anniversary as a George Cross Island[13] from the 1 to 28 March 2012.[14]
References
- ^ "The GC Collective Awards". Archived from the original on 28 April 2007. Retrieved 22 May 2007.
- ^ "ITALIAN CAMPAIGN 1943–1945". Archived from the original on 30 April 2007. Retrieved 22 May 2007.
- ^ a b "The George Cross Award". Archived from the original on 8 August 2009. Retrieved 22 May 2007.
- ^ "Royal Naval Reservists commemorate Malta's George Cross". Archived from the original on 8 May 2007. Retrieved 22 May 2007.
- ^ "Photos of Operation Pedestal". Archived from the original on 11 March 2007. Retrieved 22 May 2007.
- ^ Which could not therefore be recognised by a military decoration, given that they typically require gallantry in the face of the enemy.
- ^ "No. 35060". The London Gazette. 31 January 1941. pp. 622–623.
- ^ The others being those to the Royal Ulster Constabulary and National Health Service.
- ^ Image of handwritten letter Archived 21 January 2015 at the Wayback Machine World War II today
- ^ "Presentation of the George Cross". Archived from the original on 20 April 2008.
- ^ "George Cross awarded to Malta 70 years ago today". 15 April 2012. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
- ^ Visit, Malta. "Harrods Malta". Malta Tourism Authority. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012.
- ^ Malta, Independent. "Malta's hidden gems". Malta Independent. Archived from the original on 18 January 2012.
- ^ Times of, Malta (13 March 2012). "Malta all over Harrods". The times of malta. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2012.