Product Description

In the summer of 1942 one of the main issues in the balance was the fate of Malta. The island was still a bastion of the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean and a constant threat to the supply route for the enemy land forces in North Africa.
It bravely resisted every onslaught of the Axis powers, but food supplies were desperately short and fuel oil running low. In August of that year Operation Pedestal was launched - a last attempt to relieve Malta. Fourteen merchant ships were allocated to it and the Royal Navy provided the most powerful force ever to escort a convoy including four aircraft carriers. Operating from Sardinia and Sicily, the Germans and Italians let fly with their shore-based aircraft on an unprecedented scale. The losses on the British side were appalling, but the objective was achieved and the blockade of Malta was finally lifted.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #68200 in Books
• Published on: 2002-03-31
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Customer Reviews

A thorough job of research.
There is something about Operation Pedestal which will continue to occupy the minds of those with an interest in the subject for many more years to come. Had the tanker "Ohio" not arrived in Malta with her cargo intact in August 1942 - and she barely did!, Malta would have capitulated within a few days. Viewed in a modern context, the fall of such a small country might appear insignificant. In the pre-jet aircraft and pre-missile days of WW2, however, Malta was the key to success in North Africa by either side.

This was a time when Axis aircraft controlled the entire northern shores of the Mediterranean. Unlike Gibraltar and Alexandria, Malta - with her central position in the Mediterranean, was completely dependent on re-supply by sea. In addition, whilst much has been written about the London Blitz where, for a period of 51 days, German aircraft bombed the British capital city, much less has been written about the Malta Blitz where Valetta suffered the same treatment for 150 days.

By August 1942, the plans for the surrender of Malta had been drawn up. The tiny island state would now survive for less than 30 days unless this convoy - codenamed Operation Pedestal, got through. Fourteen merchant ships were to be protected by the most powerful naval force (which included 4 aircraft carriers, 2 battleships and 3 cruisers) ever assigned to guard a fleet of ships. Against them was mounted a land-based air assault by combined German and Italian forces on an unprecedented scale, units of the Italian Navy and a series of coordinated submarine attacks.

British naval losses (which included one of those carriers) and damage were alarming, but 4 of those merchant ships eventually arrived in Malta. This included the all-important Ohio which was only kept afloat by having destroyers tied to her sides as she entered one of the most famous harbours in the world. Operation Pedestal had been a success and the Battle for Malta had been won.

In this book, first published in 1970, Peter Smith provides the reader with a first rate work. On the one hand, his research is impeccable and, of course, complete. On the other, he also produces an excellent read.

With a fascinating selection of historic photographs - mostly taken during the various naval actions, some maps and a vital selection of Appendices containing relevant data, this is, as I say, a complete work.

NM

A thorough job of research.
There is something about Operation Pedestal which will continue to occupy the minds of those with an interest in the subject for many more years to come. Had the tanker "Ohio" not arrived in Malta with her cargo intact in August 1942 - and she barely did!, Malta would have capitulated within a few days. Viewed in a modern context, the fall of such a small country might appear insignificant. In the pre-jet aircraft and pre-missile days of WW2, however, Malta was the key to success in North Africa by either side.

This was a time when Axis aircraft controlled the entire northern shores of the Mediterranean. Unlike Gibraltar and Alexandria, Malta - with her central position in the Mediterranean, was completely dependent on re-supply by sea. In addition, whilst much has been written about the London Blitz where, for a period of 51 days, German aircraft bombed the British capital city, much less has been written about the Malta Blitz where Valetta suffered the same treatment for 150 days.

By August 1942, the plans for the surrender of Malta had been drawn up. The tiny island state would now survive for less than 30 days unless this convoy - codenamed Operation Pedestal, got through. Fourteen merchant ships were to be protected by the most powerful naval force (which included 4 aircraft carriers, 2 battleships and 3 cruisers) ever assigned to guard a fleet of ships. Against them was mounted a land-based air assault by combined German and Italian forces on an unprecedented scale, units of the Italian Navy and a series of coordinated submarine attacks.

British naval losses (which included one of those carriers) and damage were alarming, but 4 of those merchant ships eventually arrived in Malta. This included the all-important Ohio which was only kept afloat by having destroyers tied to her sides as she entered one of the most famous harbours in the world. Operation Pedestal had been a success and the Battle for Malta had been won.

In this book, first published in 1970, Peter Smith provides the reader with a first rate work. On the one hand, his research is impeccable and, of course, complete. On the other, he also produces an excellent read.

With a fascinating selection of historic photographs - mostly taken during the various naval actions, some maps and a vital selection of Appendices containing relevant data, this is, as I say, a complete work.

NM

Riviting book on one of the wars biggest gamble !!
This books tell the story of the last gasp desperate gamble to get a supply convoy through to Malta in 1942. With the islands supplies down to a matter of weeks there was a real chance of Malta capitulating to the Axis powers. With the only aircraft carriers available and those carrying obsolete aircraft, the convoy sets sail only to run into a hail of aircraft attacks. A very well researched and written book guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. Plenty of facts and figues, photos, names and dates, this book will tell you all you need to know on what was at up until that time the biggest military gamble undertaken by the British and Commonwealth forces. In 1942 the war was far, far from being won, the US having thus far not fired a shot in anger in Europe. Highly recommended.