|
The George Cross was awarded to the island of Malta by King George VI in a letter dated 15 April 1942 [1] to the island's Governor Lieutenant-General Sir William Dobbie, so as to "bear witness to the heroism and devotion of its people" [2] during the great siege it underwent in the early parts of World War Two. The George Cross is woven into the Flag of Malta and can be seen wherever the flag is flown. Image File history File links GeorgeCrossObv. ...
Image File history File links GeorgeCrossObv. ...
April 15 is the 105th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (106th in leap years). ...
1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ...
Sir William Dobbie, during World War II, was a Lieutenant General, of the British Army, who served as the military governor of Malta. ...
The Island of Malta The Siege of Malta was a significant military event in the Mediterranean Theatre of World War II that occurred between 1940 and 1943 on the island of Malta. ...
This article is becoming very long. ...
Flag ratio: 2:3 Civil ensign; Flag ratio: 2:3 The Flag of Malta is a basic bi-colour, with white in the hoist and red in the fly -- the banner of the arms of Malta. ...
Historical Background
-
Main article: History of Malta While Italian and German bombers brought havoc to the Maltese islands, the problem of supplies was soon felt. An invasion threat in July 1941 ended in complete failure when coast defenders spotted E-boats of the Italian Decima Flottiglia 10th Fleet MAS. Whilst people suffered hunger, a final assault to neutralise the island was ordered by the German Field Marshal Albert Kesselring. However, the people's heroism withstood every attack. On the 15th April 1942 King George VI awarded the 'George Cross' to the people of Malta in appreciation of their heroism.[3] Malta has been inhabited since around 5200 BC and a significant pre-historic civilisation existed on the islands before the arrival of the Phoenicians who named the main island Malat, meaning safe haven. // about 5200 BC: People first arrive on Malta. ...
The Decima Flottiglia MAS (Decima Flottiglia Mezzi dAssalto, also known as La Decima or Xª MAS) (Italian for 10th Assault Vehicle Flotilla) was an Italian commando frogman unit created during the Fascist government. ...
Albrecht von Kesselring (August 8, 1881 - July 16, 1960) was a Generalfeldmarschall during World War II. One of the most respected and skillful generals of Nazi Germany, he was nicknamed Smiling Albert or Smiling Kesselring. // At least one source claims that Kesselring was born on August 8, 1881 [1]. However...
The George Cross was awarded during the worst period for the Allies during the Second World War, as the Axis-force clearly appeared to have the upper hand. German planes were striking the island around the clock, day and night, with an incredible amount of bombs and munitions in an attempt to neutralise the British bases in Malta, since these were constantly getting in the way of their naval attempts to supply Rommel's North African campaign. Malta's geographic position, wedged as it is between Italy and North Africa, as well as dividing the Mediterranean basin into east and west put the islands in heavy danger. Malta-based British aircraft could reach as far as Tripoli in Libya to the south, Tunisia to the west and right over German bases in Italy; on Pantelleria, Sicily and even as far as the port of Naples farther to the north. Thus, standing right on the route of Italian convoys supplying Rommel's Afrika Korps. [4] Look up ally in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...
The word axis has several meanings: In mathematics, axis can mean: A straight line around which a geometric figure can be rotated. ...
Rommel is the family name of Eddie Rommel baseball pitcher; Erwin Rommel (German Field Marshal), and his son Manfred Rommel (former Mayor of Stuttgart). ...
During World War II, the North African Campaign, also known as the Desert War, took place in the North African desert from September 13, 1940 to May 13, 1943. ...
Northern Africa (UN subregion) geographic North Africa, including the UN subregion North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, generally divided politically from Sub-Saharan Africa. ...
The Mediterranean Sea is an intercontinental sea positioned between Europe to the north, Africa to the south and Asia to the east, covering an approximate area of 2. ...
Tripoli (Arabic: طرابلس TarÄbulus) is the capital city of Libya. ...
Country Italy Region Sicily Province Trapani (TP) Mayor Salvatore Gabriele (since May 17, 2005) Elevation 5 m Area 83 km² Population - Total (as of December 31, 2004) 7,679 - Density 73/km² Time zone CET, UTC+1 Coordinates Gentilic Panteschi Dialing code 0923 Postal code 91017 Patron St. ...
Sicily (Sicilia in Italian and Sicilian) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,708 km² (9,926 sq. ...
“Napoli†redirects here. ...
The seal of Afrikakorps The German Afrika Korps (German: Deutsches Afrikakorps, DAK ) was the corps-level headquarters controlling the German Panzer divisions in Libya and Egypt during the North African Campaign of World War II. Since there was little turnover in the units attached to the corps, the term is...
At the time of the George Cross award, military resources and food rations in Malta were practically finished. Fuel was restricted to military action and heavily rationed, the population was on the brim of starvation, and even ammunition was running out, so much that Anti-Aircraft (AA) guns could only fire a few rounds per day.[5]
Italian battleships of the Regia Marina out-gunned the British, yet the Royal Navy was far from out-classed. [6] The German airforce, had superior aircraft until late in the day, when Spitfires were finally sent to Malta. Also at this time, German and Italian strategists were planning 'Operation Hercules', a sea and air invasion of the Maltese Islands, an effort continuously postponed - until it was too late, because the Maltese Islands finally received their vital supply of fuel, food and munitions. The Italian Regia Marina (literally: Royal Navy) dates from the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 after Italian unification. ...
The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore the Senior Service). ...
This or section does not cite its references or sources. ...
The term Spitfire can refer to: a euphemistic translation of Cacafuego, a Spanish treasure galleon captured by Sir Francis Drake, a warplane, see Supermarine Spitfire a ship, see HMS Spitfire a movie from 1934, see Spitfire (1934) The US title of the British 1942 film The First of the Few. ...
On August 15th 1942, on the feast of Santa Maria, a convoy of Royal and Merchant naval ships made port [7] at Valletta's Grand Harbour, after completing one of the more heroic maritime episodes in recent history. To-date, this event remains commemorated in Malta in remembrance of that gift from heaven, the Convoy of Santa Maria, and all the men who lived and died in this and previous attempts to bring supplies to Malta. [8] August 15 is the 227th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (228th in leap years), with 138 days remaining. ...
1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ...
Valletta, population 6,315 (official estimate for 2005), is the capital city of Malta. ...
Grand Harbour is an excellent natural harbour on the island of Malta. ...
The HMS Eagle, sunk by the German submarine U-73 Operation Pedestal was a British operation to get vital supplies to the island of Malta in August 1942, during World War II and the height of the Axis siege of Malta. ...
The George Cross Award -
The George Cross was a decoration, second only to the Victoria Cross, instituted by George VI on 24 September 1940, replacing the Empire Gallantry Medal. Intended mainly for civilians, it was however awarded also to certain fighting services, however confined to actions for which purely military honours are not normally given.[9] This medal is usually awarded only for acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger.[10] The George Cross (GC) is the highest Commonwealth decoration awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry not in the face of the enemy, while the Victoria Cross is awarded for valour in the face of the enemy. ...
Victoria Cross medal, ribbon, and bar. ...
September 24 is the 267th day of the year (268th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...
Awarded to Malta One of only two awards of the George Cross which were not published in the London Gazette, was the award to Malta. [11] This award was made by King George VI to the Governor of Malta by letter dated 15 April 1942: The Governor-General of Malta was the representative in Malta of Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of Malta between independence in 1964 until the declaration of the republic in the 1974. ...
"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.", (sgd) George R.I. [12] The Presentation of the George Cross to the people of Malta. Lieutenant-General Sir William Dobbie answered: Sir William Dobbie, during World War II, was a Lieutenant General, of the British Army, who served as the military governor of Malta. ...
By God's help Malta will not weaken but will endure until victory is won.[13] The citation read by President Roosevelt when he visited Malta in December 1943, also commemorating the fortitude and strength of the island reads: President Roosevelt can refer to two different people who were President of the United States: Theodore Roosevelt Franklin D. Roosevelt It may also refer to the President Roosevelt ship, involved in a 1926 martime disaster. ...
Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
"In the name of the USA I salute the Island of Malta, its people and its defenders, who, in the cause of freedom and justice and decency throughout the world, have rendered valorous service far above and beyond the call of duty. Under repeated fire from the skies Malta stood alone and unafraid in the centre of the sea, one tiny, bright flame in the darkness - a beacon of hope in the clearer days when which have come. Malta's bright story of human fortitude and courage will be read by posterity with wonder and gratitude through all the ages. What was done in this island maintains all the highest traditions of gallant men and women who from the beginning of time have lived and died to preserve the civilisation for all mankind.", (sgd) Franklin D. Roosevelt, 7 December 1943.[14] December 7 is the 341st day (342nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Today The Cross and the King's message are today found in the War Museum in Fort Saint Elmo, Valletta. The fortitude of the population under sustained enemy air raids and a naval blockade which almost saw them starved into submission, won widespread admiration in Britain and other Allied nations. Some historians argue that the award was in fact a propaganda gesture to justify the huge losses sustained by Britain to prevent Malta from capitulating as Singapore had done in the Battle of Singapore. [15] Fort St Elmo is a fortification on the island of Malta. ...
Valletta, population 6,315 (official estimate for 2005), is the capital city of Malta. ...
Combatants Malaya Command: Indian III Corps Australian 8th Div. ...
The Flag of Malta, with George Cross Furthermore, some Maltese claim that a foreign award does not belong to another nation's flag, however beyond the debate, the George Cross remains there to stay. Image File history File links Flag_of_Malta. ...
Image File history File links Flag_of_Malta. ...
References - ^ BBC:On This Day. Retrieved on May 22, 2007.
- ^ Merlins Over Malta - The Defenders Return. Retrieved on May 22, 2007.
- ^ The GC Collective Awards. Retrieved on May 22, 2007.
- ^ ITALIAN CAMPAIGN 1943-1945. Retrieved on May 22, 2007.
- ^ The George Cross Award. Retrieved on May 22, 2007.
- ^ Royal Naval Reservists commemorate Malta's George Cross. Retrieved on May 22, 2007.
- ^ Photo's of Operation Pedestal. Retrieved on May 22, 2007.
- ^ Battaglia di Mezzo Agosto. Retrieved on May 22, 2007.
- ^ Which could not therefore be recognised by a military decoration, given that they typically require gallantry in the face of the enemy.
- ^ London Gazette, 31 January 1941 - Warrant, Second clause
- ^ The other being that to the Royal Ulster Constabulary
- ^ The George Cross Award. Retrieved on May 22, 2007.
- ^ Presentation of the George Cross. Retrieved on May 22, 2007.
- ^ Malta: The George Cross. Retrieved on May 22, 2007.
- ^ The Siege of Malta in World War Two. Retrieved on April 15, 2007.
|
Feeds |
Contact