award of the George Cross to Malta

{{main|Siege of Malta (World War II)}}

File:The Royal Navy during the Second World War A16221.jpg, Valletta, on the first anniversary of the award]]

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 torpedo boats of the Italian Decima MAS special forces. Whilst people suffered hunger, a final assault to neutralise the island was ordered by the German Field 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.{{cite web|title=The GC Collective Awards |url=http://www.gc-database.co.uk/collective.htm |access-date=22 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428221147/http://www.gc-database.co.uk/collective.htm |archive-date=28 April 2007 |url-status=live |df=dmy }}

The George Cross was awarded during the worst period for the Allies during the Second World War, as the Axis-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 supply Rommel's North 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 as Tripoli in Libya to the south, Tunisia to the west and German bases in Italy to the north; on Pantelleria, Sicily, and as far as the port of Naples farther to the north.{{cite web | title=ITALIAN CAMPAIGN 1943–1945 | url=http://www.naval-history.net/WW2CampaignsItaly.htm| access-date=22 May 2007 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070430205423/http://www.naval-history.net/WW2CampaignsItaly.htm| archive-date= 30 April 2007 | url-status= live}}

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.{{cite web | title=The George Cross Award | url=http://www.geocities.com/frans311/georgecross.html| access-date=22 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808100636/http://geocities.com/frans311/georgecross.html|archive-date=8 August 2009}}

Italian battleships of the Regia Marina out-gunned the British, yet the Royal Navy was not out-classed.{{cite web | title=Royal Naval Reservists commemorate Malta's George Cross | url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/HistoryAndHonour/RoyalNavalReservistsCommemorateMaltasGeorgeCross.htm| access-date=22 May 2007 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070508213650/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/HistoryAndHonour/RoyalNavalReservistsCommemorateMaltasGeorgeCross.htm| archive-date= 8 May 2007 | url-status= live}} The German air force 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{{cite web|title=Photos of Operation Pedestal |url=http://members.fortunecity.com/rwbrown1942/Busterssite/id18.html |access-date=22 May 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311062547/http://members.fortunecity.com/rwbrown1942/Busterssite/id18.html |archive-date=11 March 2007 |df=dmy }} at Valletta's Grand Harbour, after completing what has been considered one of the most heroic maritime episodes in recent history.

{{main|George Cross}}

The George Cross was instituted by King George VI, on 24 September 1940, replacing the Empire Gallantry Medal. It is the civilian equivalent to the Victoria 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.Which could not therefore be recognised by a military decoration, given that they typically require gallantry in the face of the enemy. This medal is awarded only for acts of the greatest heroism or the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger.{{London Gazette |issue= 35060|date= 31 January 1941|pages=622–623}}

File:Malta stamp 9.jpg

File:Malta - Valletta - Triq ir-Repubblika - Misrah San Gorg - Grandmaster's Palace ex 02 ies.jpg inscribed with George VI's letter.]]

One of only three collective awards of the George Cross was the award to Malta.The others being those to the Royal Ulster Constabulary and National Health Service. 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.

April 15th 1942[http://ww2today.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/malta-GC-award.jpg Image of handwritten letter] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121130419/http://ww2today.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/malta-GC-award.jpg |date=21 January 2015 }} World War II today"

Lieutenant-General Sir William Dobbie answered:

"By God's help, Malta will not weaken but will endure until victory is won.{{cite web | title=Presentation of the George Cross | url=http://www.killifish.f9.co.uk/Malta%20WWII/George%20Cross.htm| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420065224/http://www.killifish.f9.co.uk/Malta%20WWII/George%20Cross.htm| url-status=dead| archive-date= 20 April 2008}}"

A public award ceremony in Valletta was held on 13 September 1942, after the arrival of the Santa Maria Convoy.{{Cite web |url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120415/life-features/George-Cross-awarded-to-Malta-70-years-ago-today.415609 |access-date=27 February 2014 |archive-date=2 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302221105/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120415/life-features/George-Cross-awarded-to-Malta-70-years-ago-today.415609 |url-status=live |title=George Cross awarded to Malta 70 years ago today |date=15 April 2012 }}

File:Flag of Malta.svg

The Cross and the King's message are today found in the National War Museum in Fort Saint Elmo, Valletta.

Harrods department store{{cite web|last=Visit |first=Malta |title=Harrods Malta |url=http://www.visitmalta.com/harrods |publisher=Malta Tourism Authority |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312232143/http://www.visitmalta.com/harrods |archive-date=12 March 2012 |df=dmy }} flew the Maltese flag to mark Malta's 70th anniversary as a George Cross Island{{cite news|title=Malta's hidden gems |url=http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=138319 |work=Malta Independent |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118101326/http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=138319 |archive-date=18 January 2012 |df=dmy }} from the 1 to 28 March 2012.{{cite news |title=Malta all over Harrods|date=13 March 2012 |url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120313/local/malta-harrods.410974|work=The times of malta|access-date=13 March 2012|archive-date=15 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315185609/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120313/local/malta-harrods.410974|url-status=live}}

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Category:20th century in Malta

Category:1942 in Malta

Category:Malta–United Kingdom relations

Category:Crown Colony of Malta

Category:British Empire in World War II

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