WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk The Siege Of Malta: Fortress Malta (Part 1)
Oct 28, 2025
Discover the critical role of Malta in WWII and why this tiny island became a key battleground. Explore the strategic value it held in controlling Mediterranean sea lanes. Delve into the initial under-defence of Malta before the war and the scramble for reinforcements. Uncover the dramatic events of the Battle of Calabria and the daring Taranto attack that shifted naval power. Learn how Malta's fighters bravely resisted German assaults, marking the start of a fierce siege. Get ready for Malta’s counteroffensive in the next thrilling chapter!
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Malta's Outsized Strategic Value
- Malta's strategic position made it vital to control the Mediterranean sea lanes between Gibraltar and Alexandria.
- Despite its size, defending Malta required relatively few resources but was largely neglected pre-war.
Scramble From The Lavatory
- Flight Lieutenant George Burgess rushed from the lavatory to scramble a Gladiator when the first raid siren sounded on 11 June 1940.
- His Gladiator couldn't catch the high-flying Italian bombers but his sortie symbolised early island resistance.
Underprepared Before War Began
- Pre-war defence shortfalls left Malta critically under-equipped with AA guns and fighters.
- Promises from 1939 (guns, searchlights, fighters) had largely not been delivered by June 1940.
