TheGeorge Cross was awarded to the island ofMalta byKing George VI during theSiege of Malta undertaken by Italy and Germany in the early part ofWorld War II. The island was aBritish colony from 1813 to 1964. The George Cross was incorporated into theflag of Malta beginning in 1943 and remains on the current design of the flag.
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 spottedtorpedo boats of theItalianDecima MAS special forces. Whilst people suffered hunger, a final assault to neutralise the island was ordered by the GermanField Marshal Albert Kesselring. However, the assault failed. On 15 April 1942, King George VI awarded the George Cross to the people of Malta in appreciation of their heroism.[1]
The George Cross was awarded during the worst period for theAllies during the Second World War, as theAxis-forces had the upper hand.German planes struck the island round the clock, in an attempt to neutralise British bases, which interfered with naval attempts to supplyRommel'sNorth African campaign. Malta's geographic position, between Italy and North Africa, dividing the Mediterranean basin into east and west put the islands in danger. Malta-based British aircraft could reach a range as far asTripoli in Libya to the south,Tunisia to the west and German bases in Italy to the north; onPantelleria, Sicily, and as far as the port ofNaples farther to the north.[2]
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 theRegia Marina out-gunned the British, yet theRoyal Navy was not out-classed.[4] TheGerman air force had superior aircraft untilSpitfires were sent to Malta in 1942. Also at this time, German and Italian plans forOperation 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 asAssumption of Mary Day) a convoy of Royal and Merchant Navy ships finally made port inConvoy of Santa Maria[5] atValletta'sGrand Harbour, after completing what has been considered one of the most heroic maritime episodes in recent history.
The George Cross was instituted byKing George VI, on 24 September 1940, replacing theEmpire Gallantry Medal. It is the civilian equivalent to theVictoria Cross. While intended mainly for civilians, it is awarded also to certain fighting services, confined however to actions for which purely military honours are not normally given.[6] This medal is awarded only for acts of the greatest heroism or the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger.[7]
One of only threecollective 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-GeneralSir William Dobbie answered:
"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]
The Cross and the King's message are today found in theNational War Museum inFort 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]
