The
George Cross
The George Cross (GC) is the highest award bestowed by the British government for non-operational gallantry or gallantry not in the presence of an enemy. In the British honours system, the George Cross, since its introduction in 1940, has been ...
was awarded to the island of
Malta by
King George VI
George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death in 1952. He was also the last Emperor of Ind ...
during the
great siege it underwent by Italy and Germany, in the early part of
World War II. In a letter to the island's Governor, Lieutenant-General
Sir William Dobbie, King George wrote, "so as to bear witness to the heroism and devotion of its people". The island was a British colony from 1813 to 1964. The George Cross was incorporated into the
flag of Malta beginning in 1943 and remains on the current design of the flag.
Historical background
Italian and German bombers attacked the Maltese islands and there was a lack of supplies. An invasion threat in July 1941 failed when coast defenders spotted
torpedo boats of the
Italian Decima MAS special forces. Whilst people suffered hunger, a final assault to neutralise the island was ordered by the German
Field Marshal Albert Kesselring. This assault failed. On 15 April 1942 King George VI awarded the George Cross to the people of Malta in appreciation of their heroism.
The George Cross was awarded during the worst period for the
Allies
An alliance is a relationship among people, groups, or states that have joined together for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out among them. Members of an alliance are called ...
during the Second World War, as the
Axis-force had the upper hand.
German planes struck the island around the clock, in an attempt to neutralise British bases in Malta, given these were constantly foiling their naval attempts to supply
Rommel's
North African campaign. Malta's geographic position, between Italy and North Africa, as well as dividing the Mediterranean basin into east and west put the islands in considerable danger. Malta-based British aircraft could reach as far as
Tripoli
Tripoli or Tripolis may refer to:
Cities and other geographic units Greece
*Tripoli, Greece, the capital of Arcadia, Greece
*Tripolis (region of Arcadia), a district in ancient Arcadia, Greece
* Tripolis (Larisaia), an ancient Greek city in t ...
in Libya to the south,
Tunisia to the west and German bases in Italy to the north; on
Pantelleria, Sicily and even as far as the port of
Naples farther to the north.
At the time of the George Cross award, military resources and food rations in Malta were practically depleted. Fuel was restricted to military action and heavily rationed, the population was on the brink of starvation, and even ammunition was running out, so much that Anti-Aircraft (AA) guns could only fire a few rounds per day.
Italian battleships of the
Regia Marina out-gunned the British, yet the
Royal Navy was not out-classed. The
German airforce had superior aircraft until
Spitfires were finally sent to Malta. Also at this time, German and Italian strategists were planning
Operation Herkules
Operation Herkules (german: Unternehmen Herkules; it, Operazione C3) was the German code-name given to an abortive plan for the invasion of Malta during the Second World War. Through air and sea landings, the Italians and Germans hoped to e ...
, 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.
On 15 August 1942 (feast of Santa Maria) a convoy of Royal and Merchant Navy ships finally made port in
Convoy of Santa Maria at
Valletta's
Grand Harbour, after completing what was considered one of the most heroic maritime episodes in recent history.
The George Cross Award
The George Cross was instituted by
King George VI
George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death in 1952. He was also the last Emperor of Ind ...
, on 24 September 1940, replacing the
Empire Gallantry Medal. It is the civilian equivalent to the
Victoria Cross. While intended mainly for civilians, it is awarded also to certain fighting services, confined however to actions for which purely military honours are not normally given. This medal is awarded only for acts of the greatest heroism or the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger.
Awarded to Malta
One of only three
collective awards of the George Cross was the award to Malta. This award was made by King George VI by a handwritten letter:
The Governor
Malta
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.
George R.I.
April 15th 1942
Lieutenant-General
Sir William Dobbie answered:
By God's help Malta will not weaken but will endure until victory is won.
A public award ceremony in
Valletta was held on 13 September 1942, after the arrival of the Santa Maria Convoy.
Today
The Cross and the King's message are today found in the
National War Museum in
Fort Saint Elmo,
Valletta.
Harrods department store flew the Maltese flag to mark Malta's 70th anniversary as a George Cross Island from the 1 to 28 March 2012.
References
{{Malta topics
20th century in Malta
1942 in Malta
Malta–United Kingdom relations
Crown Colony of Malta
British Empire in World War II
Malta