Author(s): James Holland

History

Malta remains the most bombed place on earth. In just two months in 1942 - March and April - more explosives were dropped on this 17 x 9-mile Mediterranean island than on the whole of Britain during the entire first year of the Blitz. In 1942 Malta was the most important strategic piece of land in the world. The Axis forces had to occupy it to consolidate Rommel's position in North Africa and the Allies had to hold it to prevent them. Fortress Malta follows the story through the eyes of those who were there, young men such as 20-year-old Spitfire pilot Raoul Daddo-Langlois from the Channel Islands and anti-aircraft gunner Ken Griffiths from Wales; Lance Corporal Frank Rixon, an orphan from Berkshire who'd joined the Royal West Kents as a boy soldier; and merchant seaman Joe McCarthy from Wigan; and Maltese nurses Carmela Ferra, and Suzanne Parlby. Through these and a cast of many more James Holland has woven a true story of heroism, resilience, love and loss - a largely forgotten, but critical episode of the Second World War.