Going diving in Malta in a few days and wanted some reading material, or advice on places to visit? I'm aware of James Holland's book, and the Gunbuster novel set on Malta (which might get dusted off again) but wondered if anyone had any recommendations for a good primer on the 'Malta Story'. Any places to visit, avoid?
The Kappillan of Malta By Nicholas Monsarrat You will understand what it was like for the Maltese people TD This fact also staggers me - In March and April 1942, more explosives were dropped on the tiny Mediterranean island of Malta - smaller than the Isle of Wight - than on the whole of Britain during the first year of the Blitz. Malta had become one of the most strategically important places in the world. From there, the Allies could attack Axis supply lines to North Africa; without it, Rommel would be able to march unchecked into Egypt, Suez and the Middle East. For the Allies this would have been catastrophic. As Churchill said, Malta had to be held 'at all costs'.
'Onward to Malta' by Tom Neil is a good one. It's also included in his compendium book 'Scramble' along with his Battle of Britain memoirs. Superb description of the conditions on Malta and the frustration of trying to defend the island in clapped out Hurricane Mk1s before the arrival of Spitfires.
Onward to Malta 9781853102097: Onward to Malta - AbeBooks - T.F. Neil: 1853102091 Buy New £ 194.79 Buy Used £ 7.72 TD
https://www.amazon.com/Malta-Island-Battleground-Europe-Mediterranean/dp/1848840128 The Battleground series is good for looking for wartime sites in the present day with a bit of historical background and there is a book done on Malta. Not too expensive either if you look around for cheaper copies.
Tricky DickyRe member New Onward to Malta 9781853102097: Onward to Malta - AbeBooks - T.F. Neil: 1853102091 Buy New £ 194.79 Buy Used £ 7.72 TD Or............... Buy a paperback copy when you're over there for a quid. They're bootlegged, but Tom saw the funny side when I showed him my copy and he still signed it!
Thanks for the feedback chaps, the Battleground one, alongside James Holland and a re-read of Gunbuster might just get me through the evenings... well that and a few G&T's!
