This monument commemorates the Great Seige of Malta (1940-1943). Because of the crucial location of this tiny archipelago - it's nearest allies were Gibralter and Alexandria, neither of which was closer than its neighbouring enemies in Italy - Malta was a much sought after territory.'Beseiged by enemies, Malta became a fulcrum on which the fate of the war balanced for the next three years.'
If Malta had been lost by Great Britain, the rest of North Africa would follow, opening a transport gateway for Axis powers. So important was the position of this tiny island, that it became the most bombed location in the history of war.
This might baffle the mind of the average tourist visiting Malta. The islands are frequented for their pristine beaches, sunny skies and friendly folk. There are few ruins remaining; indeed it is believed to be a miracle that so many of the country's revered church buildings were undamaged - including the famed Mosta Dome on which a bomb fell, but failed to detonate during a church service with over 300 people in attendance. Imagine!
But anyone who knows a Malteser can better grasp the remnants of WWII by the love of their own country - by their nationalism and pride. It's endearing, probably because the sentiment is well deserved and grounded in the heroism of their history. Where individuals have little to boast for themselves, they can also point to their emblem, the George Cross, awarded to the country as a whole.
In 1942, the Maltese were on the brink of starvation when Operation Pedestal was mounted in an effort to save the people and protect the territory from Axis control. People were down to morsels of dry bread and water once a day, a can of tuna per week. On 15 August, the Feast of Santa Maria - now a national holiday - one of 14 original tankers that set out on mission arrived at port in Grand Harbour. The seige was broken and Malta was, though no longer in one piece, finally at peace.
