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[Lizzie_Zoom]

For those on here interested in history, there is tonight a documentary on BBC 2 at 2000 about one of those most epic battles of World War Two.  The Battle For Malta.

A crucial battle which lasted from 1940 to 1943 witnessed the fiercest of continuous bombing raids, totalling over three thousand, by German and Italian aircraft, which was part of the longest siege in British history. This siege involved the bombing of an Island, that is slightly smaller than the Isle of Wight, with more High Explosives than fell on the whole of Britain during the Blitz.

A tremendous story about the bravery of the Maltese, and the small group of RAF pilots, that was rightly honoured by King George VI with the award of a George Cross to the Island.

Malta G.C.

As usual I would also recommend a great account of this story by Holland, J. in his book, Fortress Malta Phoenix (2004)

[Elite Pete]

Watched it last week, it was very good

[Varche]

Who won?

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Who won?

The Maltese!

[plym ian]

that's if the darts finish on time

[b4ndit]

that's if the darts finish on time

+1

[Lizzie_Zoom]

that's if the darts finish on time

+1

You 'orrible lot!

[redelitev6]

We were on holiday in Malta and i remember going to a big church where a bomb dropped through the roof , bounced down the aisle and failed to explode , the case of the bomb was still there and used as a giant collection tin ! some fabulous wartime relics still there , it's a lovely island and well worth a visit

[Tony H]

My mum was Maltese and was in Malta right through the siege. One very moving story she told me about was a time when there was German air raid in progress, she was to far away from the air raid shelter that she always used to use so she took cover in another shelter that was closer. Good job her allocated shelter took a direct hit and everyone in it did not survive. If Malta had not held out the outcome of WW2 could have been totally different

[TEAMJB]

I love their little chocolate balls, Well done Malta 

[Lizzie_Zoom]

We were on holiday in Malta and i remember going to a big church where a bomb dropped through the roof , bounced down the aisle and failed to explode , the case of the bomb was still there and used as a giant collection tin ! some fabulous wartime relics still there , it's a lovely island and well worth a visit

That is Mosta Dome, and it is a lovely church, with the third largest unsupported dome in the World.

Yes as you say the bomb bounced across the floor but failed to explode. This even today is considered a miracle, just as St.Paul's Cathedral in London miraculously survived the blitz when everything around it was destroyed, with the incendiaries and explosive bombs, although hitting the Cathedral, failing to do significant damage. To me a Christian, those facts mean a great deal. 

[acope]

We were on holiday in Malta and i remember going to a big church where a bomb dropped through the roof , bounced down the aisle and failed to explode , the case of the bomb was still there and used as a giant collection tin ! some fabulous wartime relics still there , it's a lovely island and well worth a visit

I visited the island a few years back, fabulous place, the "old" 1950`s buses frightened the wotsit out of me, hurtling around the island, any one into coaches of the `50`s would be rather excited I think, great place 

Just a quick PS...most of them hated the break up caused by Dom Mintoff and his cronies..

[Elite Pete]

I've been through Malta on my way to Gozo and loved it. Thinking of going again this year

[Lizzie_Zoom]

We were on holiday in Malta and i remember going to a big church where a bomb dropped through the roof , bounced down the aisle and failed to explode , the case of the bomb was still there and used as a giant collection tin ! some fabulous wartime relics still there , it's a lovely island and well worth a visit

I visited the island a few years back, fabulous place, the "old" 1950`s buses frightened the wotsit out of me, hurtling around the island, any one into coaches of the `50`s would be rather excited I think, great place 

Just a quick PS...most of them hated the break up caused by Dom Mintoff and his cronies..

It was the Maltese Prime Minister George Borg Olivier that negotiated with the British, who were very keen to go along with it, their independence in September 1964, with the British Queen still it's head.  Older Maltese had a great respect for the British, but the younger element wanted a new future.  In 1974 Don Mintoff led the movement to create the Republic of Malta with a complete breakaway from Great Briton.

You will still find today a great affection from the Maltese towards the British, and this is often reciprocated. The ex-military personnel and their families, along with modern GB tourists who learn to love the mainly English speaking people of the Island, certainly feel an attachment.  Some British though do not like the Island due to it's rather barren landscape, but I will always consider the Island as my second home due to being born of it's soil and spirit.

[Tony H]

We were on holiday in Malta and i remember going to a big church where a bomb dropped through the roof , bounced down the aisle and failed to explode , the case of the bomb was still there and used as a giant collection tin ! some fabulous wartime relics still there , it's a lovely island and well worth a visit

Yep 300 people plus in the church at the time you would have thought it would have at least hit someone but no not one person hurt