15th April 1942, Valetta, Malta.

Between 1940 and 1943 the combined air forces of Italy and Germany launched twenty-six thousand aerial sorties against Malta. The island was part of the British Empire at the time, but Germany and Italy wanted to take this perfectly placed strategic location in the middle of the Mediterranean for themselves.

A sustained attack in 1942 became known as The Siege of Malta. Despite the continued bombardment the people of the island refused to surrender. In recognition of their heroism, King George 6th awarded the George Cross to the country in April 1942.

Eighty years on, it’s still important to Malta as Darren Coventry discovered when he talked to the people there who are keeping those wartime memories alive.

Contributors:

Mario Farrugia, Kim Dalli and Joseph Debono

Presented by Darren Coventry

Written and produced by Darren Coventry and Josella Waldron

Edited by Andy Prada

Sound Design by Terry Wilson

Original Music by Will Farmer

Executive Producer Alex Griffiths

Find out more: https://www.forces.net/heritage/history/courageous-women-who-stepped-defence-malta