WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk The Siege Of Malta: Britain's Submarine Ace (Part 2)
Oct 30, 2025
Explore Malta's immense strategic significance in WWII as hosts discuss how British forces disrupted Axis plans. Delve into the gripping tales of HMS Upholder, renowned for its daring actions against enemy convoys. The impact of Luftwaffe raids and the bravery of pilots like Adrian Warburton highlight the challenges faced. Experience life under siege in Malta, from civilian hardships to the triumphs of Royal Navy submarines. Discover how these efforts critically shifted the balance in the Mediterranean theater.
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Wanklin's Calm Rise To Command
- Lieutenant Commander David Wanklin rose from second-in-command to commanding Upholder and joked about 'imperturbability' being key.
- The Times of Malta interviewed him after early successes, highlighting his calm leadership under pressure.
Malta's Outsized Strategic Value
- Malta's strategic value came from denying Axis sea routes and threatening their Mediterranean operations.
- Holding Malta offered disproportionate operational advantage despite the island's small size.
Cipher Clerk Survives Shelter Collapse
- Suzanne Polby chose to stay in Malta as a cipher clerk and endured terrifying sheltering and rubble-blocked exits during raids.
- She recalled using willpower to quell fear and nearly suffocating before rescue cleared rubble.