Blitz of Malta 42/43 reading?

Early favourites in my library:
Tattered Battlements – first published anonymously in 1943 by “A Fighter Pilot”
but republished with additions by W/C HAS “Tim” Johnston in 1985
Spitfires over Malta by Paul Brennan and Ray Hesslyn – another wartime publication
One Man’s Window by Denis Barnham- written from a wartime diary with drawings by the author
Hess – A Kiwi Spitfire Ace by James Sutherland has a large section on Malta and draws much from Spitfires over Malta.
Canadian pilots on Malta get a deal of coverage in All the Fine young Eagles by David L Bashow.
There’s a Malta Museum site with some good links. Also a good reading list at
http://www.killifish.f9.co.uk/Malta%20WWII/Video%20&%20Literature.htm

Just finished reading Malta-the Hurricane Years and Malta-the Spitfire Years and I have to say after reading several books on Malta prior to these non put over what an absolutely one sided slogging match the early years were for the defenders with appaling losses for the RAF and Navy aircrews flying outdated and unsuitable aircraft while the best equipment was kept back in the UK for “Leaning Forward into France” The Legend of Malta is justified but my God what a cost. I do feel that a diary format for military campaigns helps to put this over very well as in “Neville Dukes War Diary” a real eye opener as to what a fighter pilot in the western desert got up to.

If I may be permitted to make a recommendation to read Pedestal by Peter C Smith if memory serves me right.
Excellent read on the convoy that was in the end, the turning point for Malta.
It details the build up to the massive convoy that started with three carriers before the Eagle was sunk along with the Battleships Nelson & Rodney and the many costly engagements along the way.
It also describes the sucessful heroic efforts required to get the tanker Ohio into Grand Harbour with the aid of a brace of destoryers being used so that she did not succumb to her wounds.

Bomberboy

Good point James, The Kappilan of Malta is excellent. I think I’ve got a copy of Faith, Hope and Charity around somewhere…

Another I’ve just found, but as I haven’t read it for years can’t make any intelligent comments about, is The Siege Within The walls – Malta 1940 – 1943 by Stewart Perowne. It might be a little difficult to find as it was published in 1970. 🙂

Edit: Apparently not difficult at all – Abebooks are listing 20 copies.

There’s some good stuff, looks like I might grab a few.

A bit earlier than the 42-3 period, but worth a mention for opposing reasons –

For a fictional but excellent read, try “The Kappillan of Malta”, written by Nicholas Monsarrat. Focussed on a fictional narrative during 1940/1, it contains ‘flashbacks’ top Malta’s previous sieges and battles, written by a master storyteller.

Highly recommended to be avoided is ‘Faith Hope and Charity’ by Kenneth Poolman, the account of those three Gladiators… It’s great as a ‘Boy’s Own’ adventure, full of ‘Mama mia’ing Italians and doughty but sporting British pilots, but isn’t within miles of reality or any form of truth.

And a visit to the island’s an essential.

I’ve just read Malta – The Last Great Siege 1940 – 1943 by David Wragg. ISBN 0 85052 990 5. It’s very good and gives more of an overview of the situation, rather than just from the RAF/military point of view.

Another good one is The Maltese Spitfire by Kiwi PR pilot Harry Coldbeck.

I’ve read several bits by Laddie Lucas (CO of 249 Sqn IIRC) but I can’t remember whether they’re in a single book or some of his collected snippets from multiple authors.

Thank you all, very much appreciated. I will start hunting down these books.

The Merlins Over Malta DVD was superb, the air to air footage was just breath-taking.

Cheers Dave C

merlins over malta dvd is superb…very much recommended, the last two books mentioned are brilliant!

I concur with two parties above. 🙂

Get ‘Fortress Malta’ by James Holland to the top of your list.

Mark

As Steve says, Malta-The Hurricane years etc… plus i picked this one up at the Ta’Qali museum:-

Victory in the Air by Richard Caruana

I`ve read Malta: the thorn in Rommels side by Laddie Lucas published by Penguin and Fortress Malta an island under siege (1940-1943) by James Holland published by Phoenix, both were good reads. Have you also read the Air ministrys account published by i think His majestys stationary office. I don`t have that one to hand but it was published just after the war i think and there are new copies being made now……….Martin

Hi Dave–

There’s another Beurling bio, “Hero” by Brian Nolan, that has a Malta section in it; there are also the well known “Malta: The Hurricane Years” and “Malta: The Spitfire Year” that were published some years ago.

For a break from reading, fire up the old VHS and watch Sir (subsequently) Alec Guinness in “Malta Story”. Spitfire XVIs pretending to be Vs…and Fairey Firefly hulks pretending to be wrecked Spitfire Vs! Guinness is an archaeology buff who can’t wait to return to Malta postwar and study its fascinating history…but must first be a reluctant participant in the history being made then and there.

Cheers

S.