Fortress Malta (Cassell Military Paperbacks) [Paperback]

James Holland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004 | Series: Cassell Military Paperbacks

In March and April 1942, more explosives were dropped on the tiny Mediterranean island of Malta ' smaller than the Isle of Wight ' than on the whole of Britain during the first year of the Blitz. Malta had become one of the most strategically important places in the world. From there, the Allies could attack Axis supply lines to North Africa; without it, Rommel would be able to march unchecked into Egypt, Suez and the Middle East. For the Allies this would have catastrophic. As Churchill said, Malta had to be held 'at all costs.' FORTRESS MALTA follows the story through the eyes of those who were there: young men such as twenty-year-old fighter pilot Raoul Daddo-Langlois, anti-aircraft gunner Ken Griffiths, American Art Roscoe and submariner Tubby Crawford - who served on the most successful Allied submarine of the Second World War; cabaret dancer-turned RAF plotter Christina Ratcliffe, and her lover, the brilliant and irrepressible reconnaissance pilot, Adrian Warburton. Their stories and others provide extraordinary first-hand accounts of heroism, resilience, love, and loss, highlighting one of the most remarkable stories of World War II.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

From British journalist Holland comes this superbly engaging history of Malta, the island that was bombed more heavily than any other territory during World War II. Lying in a strategic position between Sicily and Africa, Malta oversaw the shipping routes that supplied the Axis campaign in North Africa, routes that the British were determined to control. Thus, they insisted on holding the island as a base, despite a prolonged aerial bombardment that nearly destroyed the garrison and subjected the island's population to famine. Dismissing the controversy over whether Malta and the Eastern Mediterranean were really worth holding on to during the war, Holland focuses on the people who lived and fought on the island. Drawing on dairies, letters and interviews, he reconstructs the stories of RAF pilot Alex Mackie, who was killed in his Hurricane over Malta, and the legendary photo-recon pilot Adrian Warburton, among many others. The sea and air battles around the island are also vividly depicted, but the real value of this book lies in its rare, intimate description of the Maltese perspective on the siege. Turning the last page, one understands why the island of Malta was collectively awarded the George Cross, the highest British civilian award for heroism.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

'Holland's stirring account pays fitting tribute to the heroism of the island's defenders and its civil population ... the book teems with memorable characters.' MAIL ON SUNDAY

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Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Phoenix Paperbacks (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0304366544
• ISBN-13: 978-0304366545
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 1.5 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,073,342 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #39 in Books > History > Europe > Malta

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strategic Stepping-Stone, September 24, 2003

By 

Bruce Loveitt (Ogdensburg, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fortress Malta: An Island Under Siege, 1940 - 43 (Hardcover)

This is the best military history book to be published since (and I'd rank it right up there with) last year's "An Army At Dawn" by Rick Atkinson. High praise, indeed, since that book won a Pulitzer Prize. If you've read the Atkinson book, you'll find that "Fortress Malta" complements it nicely, since both books end with the Allies poised for the invasion of Sicily. Mr. Holland, to judge by his photo on the dustjacket, looks to be still in his twenties. (This is his first book.) If he is indeed that young, that makes this book even more of an accomplishment. The quality of the writing and the way the book is structured demonstrate a great deal of skill and maturity. This is because the author has a lot of balls to juggle: he has to tell us about the aerial war; the surface naval battles; the submarine war; strategy and tactics, etc. This part of the story is well-told: there are many exciting sequences dealing with dogfights and convoys being stalked by submarines. But what elevates the book to the superior level is Mr. Holland's ability to bring home to us the human element. We get to know a lot of the pilots and submariners as real people - quirks and all. (Two people who leap out from the pages are Adrian Warburton and George "Screwball" Beurling. Warburton, despite being a reconnaissance pilot, managed the rare feat of becoming an "ace" - which means he shot down at least 5 planes. He was unorthodox. He once flew over Sicily to take some photographs, then made an unauthorized side trip to Greece to pick up some booze for the boys back at the base. He got away with such behavior because he always got his photographs - no matter what. Beurling was the highest scoring Allied ace of the war, with over 30 confirmed kills, with an incredible 4 in one day.) The same is true regarding the civilian population. Everyone was under incredible stress - day after day, month after month, and year after year. For much of the time the island was under almost constant attack. There were severe housing and food shortages. Some people were forced to live in underground "cubicles." Inadequate nutrition led to sickness and disease. On the military side, there weren't enough planes to defend the island. Often, 3-4 Hurricanes or Spitfires would go up to do battle with 50 or more enemy aircraft. As the Axis powers were in control of the areas both north and south of Malta, getting convoys through with essential supplies (planes, fuel, spare parts, food, etc.) was extremely difficult. Plus, there was the added psychological stress of being "trapped" on a small island. The entire island was awarded the George Cross, the highest civilian award for valour. The action was unprecedented. It was also well deserved. After reading about these people for allmost 400 pages I felt that I knew them. As I approached the end of the book I hoped Mr. Holland would tell us what happened to them after the siege of Malta was over. The author, once again, did not disappoint. There is a postscript which follows the lives of all the major characters. As you might expect, this section is filled with both joy and sorrow. Some of the people led short and tragic lives, some long and happy. A surprising number are still alive today. (One is the well-known British actor Frederick Treves, known to this anglophile through his performances in the David Suchet "Poirot" and Joan Hickson "Miss Marple" stories.) The book has 7 pages of maps, placed in the beginning, which allow you to get your geographic bearings and follow the action. There are also over 80 wonderful black-and-white photographs. The dustjacket mentions that the author is working on 2 more books regarding the war in the Mediterranean. If "Fortress Malta" is anything to go by, we are in for some more great reading.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and Interesting Read, May 17, 2004

By 

lou (Seattle, USSR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fortress Malta: An Island Under Siege, 1940 - 43 (Hardcover)

I thoroughly enjoyed Holland's Fortress Malta. Holland has a very easy going, understated writing style that makes reading him a delight. The book is very informative about a little-known - yet quite important aspect - of WW II. Holland tells of the great courage, sacrifice, and fortitude of the people of Malta during the Italian and German siege of the Island. Holland provides a perspective from the points of view of airmen, sailors, soldiers, and civilians.

Although I certainly enjoyed the book, I rated it 4-stars for two reasons. First, the book, for the limited subject it covers, is too long at over 400 pages. Second, the book somewhat downplays some aspects of the war. For instance, well into the book Holland gives a recap of the number of Malta pilots killed. I was amazed at the high number killed! Considering that I was well into his book the total number of pilots killed should have been no surprise. One reason for this is that Holland writes this historical work in the style of a novel, concentrating on a limited number of participants rather than very detailed and comprehensive combat.

Despite the misgivings expressed in the preceding paragraph, I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who would like to know more about this fascinating aspect of WW II.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HISTORY COMING ALIVE, March 13, 2006

By 

Quentin L. Milano (ELMIRA, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fortress Malta: An Island Under Siege, 1940 - 43 (Hardcover)

I HAVE LISTENED TO MY FATHER-IN-LAW, WHO WORKED AS A MECHANIC FOR THE RAF, WAS MALTESE AND LIVED THROUGH THE WAR ON THE ISLAND, TELL STORIES STORIES ABOUT THE BOMBINGS AND THE DAMAGE INFLICTED ON THE ISLAND BACK THEN. MY WIFE, AS A YOUNG GIRL, CONFIRMED HIS STORIES, AS SHE TOO LIVED ON MALTA DURING THE WAR.

JAMES HOLLAND MAKES YOU LIVE IT AS WELL!!! HIS BOOK IS A TRUE ENCOUNTER, SO REAL, THE READER WILL FEEL THE ACTION TAKING PLACE BEFORE HIM/HER. YOU WILL LAUGH, YOU WILL CRY, YOU WILL CHEER...MOST OF ALL, YOU WILL NEVER FORGET MALTA.

I HAVE BEEN THERE SEVERAL TIMES IN TYHE PAST, BUT MY NEXT VISIT WILL MEAN SO MUCH MORE.

I SALUTE JAMES HOLLAND, AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO READING HIS OTHER BOOKS.

QUENTIN L. MILANO