The Jesse Kelly Show Hour 2: The Siege of Malta Part 2
Oct 9, 2025
Dive into the gripping saga of the Knights of St. John as they face an overwhelming Ottoman siege in Malta. Explore the fierce battles at Fort St. Elmo, where elite casualties were high, and uncover the dramatic decline in Ottoman morale following Dragut's injury. Marvel at the ingenious logistics of warfare, from hauling ships over land to the intense tunnel battles beneath the city. Experience the brutal reprisals and the turning tide through a daring reconnaissance raid, highlighting the resilience and strategy of the defenders.
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Numbers Mislead Without Context
- Jesse Kelly emphasizes that troop numbers alone don't determine battlefield outcomes because training, experience, and equipment vary widely.
- He warns against obsessing over raw numbers and highlights elite units like Janissaries as decisive factors.
Defenders Hold Fort St. Elmo Under Siege
- Jesse recounts the Ottoman siege of Fort St. Elmo where about a thousand defenders held off a much larger force.
- He describes close combat, civilian involvement, and the fort's eventual fall after a prolonged bombardment.
Sieges Are Logistics Races
- Siege warfare is a race against time for both attackers and defenders limited by food, water, and ammunition.
- Logistics and fresh water access often decide sieges more than battlefield heroics.