Siege of Malta 1940–42 (Paperback)
Rare Photographs from Veterans' Collections
Series: Images of War
Pages: 160
Illustrations: 200
ISBN: 9781784384593
Published: 13th January 2020
Star review
'Packed with over 200 photographs, this book is a must for any World War II enthusiast.' ~ As reviewed by The Times of Malta, March 2020. Read the review in full here.
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| Other formats available | Price |
|---|---|
| Siege of Malta 1940–42 ePub (56.7 MB) Add to Basket | £6.99 |
For nearly two and a half years, from June 1940 until late 1942, Malta was subjected to one Axis air raid after another.
The Mediterranean island was effectively beleaguered, reliant for defence on anti-aircraft guns and often-outnumbered fighter aircraft and dependent for survival on naval supply convoys.
The Axis attempted to bomb and starve Malta into submission, attacking ports, military and industrial areas, leading to Malta becoming one of the most intensively bombed areas of the Second World War, with well over 3000 alerts before the end of hostilities.
But against the odds, and at heavy cost, Malta was held. Malta was vital to Allied success in North Africa, dominating Axis supply routes to the region. It was a remarkable, intense campaign, a crucial turning point in the Second World War, and one of the Allies’ greatest tactical and strategic victories.
This is an account of that desperate time, as witnessed by those who were there and illustrated with their wartime photographs, together with colour images of Malta today.
This is a worthy photographic record of a major saga.
Naval Review
This book has been produced largely thanks to the individuals who survived those desperate times and allowed their wartime photographs, which are all black and white, to be used in producing this interest volume.
Ships Monthly, March 2021
A visual document of great historical interest.
Miniaturas JM
Read the full Spanish review here
As featured on The View From The Turret
The View From The Turret
Malta occupied a dominant position in the central Mediterranean which allowed the British air and naval forces there to threaten Axis shipping and impede their ambitions in North Africa. As it was just 70 miles from Sicily, the island was effectively blockaded and remained under siege for almost two and a half years, during which time it was famously heralded as the most bombed place on Earth. This book documents its epic defence with photographs taken almost exclusively from the private collections of veterans, lending them a very personal quality. These give an impression of the extent of the bomb damage and its impact on daily life, and includes some dramatic pictures of air raids alongside the work of the garrison in quieter times, featuring RAF personnel and their aircraft with many images of downed machines, and the crews of the numerous anti-aircraft batteries which were so pivotal to the defence. There is also a chapter on the supply convoys which suffered many losses to deliver essential supplies, and the book closes with a number of colour photographs of Malta today.
Pegasus Archive
Read the full review here
This ‘Images Of War series book under the Greenhill books imprint features rare photographs from veterans collections rather than official war archives and its a great collection of images. The proven format of concise text, supporting a large image collection, is followed, concluding with full colour images from recent photography. – Very Highly Recommended.
Firetrench
Read the full review here
This is something I was not aware of. The latest in Pen and Sword's brilliant Images of War series features the siege of Malta, occupying the best part of two and a half years.
Books Monthly
On the whole, this is a very enjoyable book, depicting the struggle against overwhelming odds to defend one's home and country. The author, Anthony Rogers, is obviously an expert in this area of WW2 and this becomes apparent with his sympathetic attitude towards all combatants and the manner in which he captions the photos. From a personal point of view I would have welcomed a bit more information regarding the troops on the island, but the book deals with the main opponents in the siege with the Army playing a supporting role.
Army Rumour Service (ARRSE)
As a historical study the book is excellent and it also has a good deal of information for the modeller.
Read the full review here
This book does an excellent job and will become a firm favourite within the Images of War series. In this series, you can always rely on getting a good compilation of high-quality pictures along with the concise and informative text which never fails.
UK Historian
Read the full review here
This book, the result of the meticulous research by Anthony Rogers, a writer specialized in the war in the Mediterranean, offers a glimpse of what was an enormous test of resistance and courage by British and Commonwealth forces in defending a decisive island for the war in North Africa and the Mediterranean.
Old Barbed Wire Blog
Read the full Italian review here
Author interview on War Scholar
War Scholar
This offering from Pen and Sword and authored by Anthony Rogers is a great pictorial look at war of this period via a microcosm that is the island of Malta. The photographs provided do a fantastic job of giving the viewer a taste of war at this place during that time and are greatly enhanced by the excellent captions provided by the author who puts amongst other things names to faces which makes this book so appealing.
Armorama
Read the full review here
Another good addition to the Images of War series.
Military Model Scene, Robin Buckland
Read the full review here
About Anthony Rogers
Anthony Rogers is a military historian and author, known for his books detailing events in and around the Mediterranean during the Second World War.
Air Battle of Malta Aircraft Losses and Crash Sites, 1940 - 1942 (Hardback)
In the Second World War, Malta was subjected to continual air attacks during a siege lasting nearly two and a half years. This is part of that story, from the early days in June 1940, when only a few Gladiator biplanes were available to combat Italian bombers and fighters, to the intervention of the Luftwaffe and the tenuous defence by outclassed Hurricanes, culminating in the desperate months of fighting following the arrival on Malta of the first Spitfires in March 1942. Of more than 1,000 aircraft destroyed during the battle, many fell into the Mediterranean or were written off in landing,…
By Anthony RogersClick here to buy both titles for £39.99
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