WW2/Battles of WW2/Date-by-Date/North Africa & Mediterranean • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
The prolonged aerial siege of the strategically vital island of Malta, whose survival — capped by the desperate Operation Pedestal convoy — kept Allied supply lines to North Africa alive. (11 June 1940 – 20 November 1942)
Chronological Storyline (18 Milestones)
Jun 11, 1940 CE
Italy declares war and bombs Malta
On the day Italy declared war on Britain, the Regia Aeronautica launched the first air raids on Malta, beginning the siege. Italian bombers targeted the dockyards and airfields, starting a campaign of sustained bombardment. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Malta_(World_War_II)
Battlefield Mysteries | S1E2 | The Siege of Malta | Full DocumentaryA heavily bomb-damaged street in Valletta, Malta. This street is Kingsway, the principal street in Valetta. Service personnel and civilians are present clearing up the debris. By Russell, J E (Lt) - Royal Navy official photographer - This photograph A 8701 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-01), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2354372
Jun 12, 1940 CE
First civilian casualties in Valletta
Italian bombing of the Grand Harbour area at Valletta killed six civilians, demonstrating the island's vulnerability and the urgent need for anti-aircraft defenses and shelters for the population. Source — Wikipedia: )
A heavily bomb-damaged street in Valletta, Malta. This street is Kingsway, the principal street in Valetta. Service personnel and civilians are present clearing up the debris. By Russell, J E (Lt) - Royal Navy official photographer - This photograph A 8701 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-01), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2354372
Aug 13, 1940 CE
Eagle delivers Hurricanes to Malta
The aircraft carrier HMS Eagle flew off the first batch of Hawker Hurricane fighters to Malta, bolstering the island's air defense. This marked the beginning of critical carrier-borne reinforcement operations. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Eagle_(1918)
The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Eagle underway.The U.S. Navy give the date as 1942, but due to the lack of camouflage and wartime modifications this photograph was probably taken in the 1930s. By U.S. Navy - U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 1996.488.037.033, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12587859
Jan 10, 1941 CE
Luftflotte 2 arrives in Sicily
The German Luftwaffe deployed Fliegerkorps X to Sicily under Field Marshal Albert Kesselring, dramatically increasing the scale and intensity of air attacks on Malta and shifting the siege's dynamic. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Kesselring
For documentary purposes the German Federal Archive often retained the original image captions, which may be erroneous, biased, obsolete or politically extreme. Albert Kesselring ADN-Zentralbild-Archiv Ehemaliger Generalfeldmarschall Kesselring 6964-40 Scherl Bilderdienst [Albert Kesselring hier als General der Flieger mit Ritterkreuz, Aufnahme 1940] Abgebildete Personen: Kesselring, Albert: Generalfeldmarschall, Ritterkreuz (RK), Heer, Deutschland (GND 118722050) By Unknown - This image was provided to Wikimedia Commons by the German Federal Archive (Deutsches Bundesarchiv) as part of a cooperation project. The German Federal Archive guarantees an authentic representation only using the originals (negative and/or positive), resp. the digitalization of the originals as provided by the Digital Image Archive., CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=153519734
May 21, 1941 CE
Luftwaffe withdraws for Barbarossa
Hitler ordered the withdrawal of most Luftwaffe units from Sicily for Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. This temporarily reduced air pressure on Malta and allowed British forces to regroup. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Barbarossa
German soldiers advance through northern Russia. German flamethrower crew burns down a house in the background. German Panzer IV stuck in the snow with white camouflage paint. Soviet Ilyushin Il-2s hovering over German positions near Moscow. Soviet POWs on the way to prison campsSoviet soldiers fire artillery. By Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-1974-099-19 / Kempe / CC-BY-SA 3.0 Samaryi Guraryi / Самарий Гурарий Ustinov / Александр Устинов Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-209-0090-28 / Zoll / CC-BY-SA 3.0 - This file was derived from: Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1974-099-19, Russland, Angriff auf ein Dorf.jpg: Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-215-0354-14, Russland, Panzer IV im Schnee.jpg: RIAN archive 2564 Soviet planes flying over Nazi positions near Moscow.jpg: Russian POW (1941).jpg: RIAN archive 607025 Soldiers of the Great Patriotic War.jpg: Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-209-0090-28, Russland-Nord, Infanterie und Panzer 35t.jpg:, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=156477159
Jul 26, 1941 CE
Force K sinks Italian convoy
The British submarine and surface force based at Malta, including Force K, attacked an Italian supply convoy, sinking several ships and demonstrating Malta's value as an offensive naval base against Axis supply lines. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Force_K
"Force 'H' off Gibraltar": The Royal Navy Force 'H' off Gibraltar, watercolor by Edward Tufnell, RN (retired), depicting the British battlecruiser HMS Renown, the battleship HMS Malaya and the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal operating together in 1941. By Cdr Eric Erskine Campbell Tufnell RN - Official U.S. Navy photo NH 86393-KN from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=293478
Jan 11, 1942 CE
Luftflotte 2 returns and escalates bombing
Kesselring returned Luftflotte 2 to Sicily and launched a massive aerial offensive to neutralize Malta as a base for attacks on Rommel's supply lines. The island faced some of the heaviest bombing of the entire war. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Kesselring
For documentary purposes the German Federal Archive often retained the original image captions, which may be erroneous, biased, obsolete or politically extreme. Albert Kesselring ADN-Zentralbild-Archiv Ehemaliger Generalfeldmarschall Kesselring 6964-40 Scherl Bilderdienst [Albert Kesselring hier als General der Flieger mit Ritterkreuz, Aufnahme 1940] Abgebildete Personen: Kesselring, Albert: Generalfeldmarschall, Ritterkreuz (RK), Heer, Deutschland (GND 118722050) By Unknown - This image was provided to Wikimedia Commons by the German Federal Archive (Deutsches Bundesarchiv) as part of a cooperation project. The German Federal Archive guarantees an authentic representation only using the originals (negative and/or positive), resp. the digitalization of the originals as provided by the Digital Image Archive., CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=153519734
Mar 20, 1942 CE
Second Battle of Sirte
A British naval force escorting a Malta convoy engaged a superior Italian fleet under Admiral Angelo Iachino. The fierce engagement delayed the convoy but resulted in the sinking of two British transports and turned the convoy back. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Sirte
Royal Navy Convoy From Alexandria To Malta Meets and Engages Italian Warships in the Mediterranean, 22 March 1942 HMS CLEOPATRA throws out smoke to shield the convoy as HMS EURYALUS elevates her forward 5.25 inch guns to shell the Italian Fleet. By Royal Navy official photographer, Zimmerman, E A (Lt) - http://media.iwm.org.uk/iwm/mediaLib//37/media-37971/large.jpg This photograph A 8166 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39603126
Apr 15, 1942 CE
King awards George Cross to Malta
King George VI awarded the George Cross to the people of Malta for their collective heroism and endurance under relentless Axis bombardment. The island became one of the few places to receive this collective civilian honor. ) · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Cross
May 10, 1942 CE
Operation Bowery delivers Spitfires
The American carrier USS Wasp and British carrier HMS Eagle flew off 64 Spitfires to Malta in a critical reinforcement. These fighters were essential to regaining air superiority over the island. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Bowery
Физическая карта Средиземного моря. By Nzeemin - ETOPO1 dataset for relief and bathymetry GSHHS dataset for coastline and country borders Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21003231
Jun 14, 1942 CE
Operation Harpoon and Vigorous launched
Britain launched two simultaneous Malta relief convoys from Gibraltar and Alexandria. Both faced intense Axis air and naval attacks, with Harpoon losing four of six merchant ships and Vigorous forced to turn back with heavy losses. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Harpoon
Jul 1, 1942 CE
Malta faces starvation rations
By July, Malta's food and fuel supplies reached critical levels, with the garrison and civilians facing near-starvation. The island's anti-aircraft ammunition was also running dangerously low, threatening its ability to defend itself. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Malta_(World_War_II)
A heavily bomb-damaged street in Valletta, Malta. This street is Kingsway, the principal street in Valetta. Service personnel and civilians are present clearing up the debris. By Russell, J E (Lt) - Royal Navy official photographer - This photograph A 8701 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-01), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2354372
Aug 10, 1942 CE
Operation Pedestal convoy departs Gibraltar
A massive relief convoy of 14 merchant ships escorted by battleships and carriers departed Gibraltar under Vice Admiral Edward Syfret. It was the most heavily defended convoy of the war, aiming to save Malta from surrender. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Pedestal
IWM caption : OPERATION PEDESTAL, AUGUST 1942. 13 August: Air Attacks: The merchant ship WAIMARAMA explodes after being bombed. By Royal Navy photographer - This photograph HU 43689 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 8210-26), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2294222
Aug 11, 1942 CE
Eagle sunk, but carriers launch Spitfires
The carrier HMS Eagle was torpedoed and sunk by U-73 with the loss of over 200 men. Despite this, Furious launched Spitfires to Malta before turning back, and the convoy pressed on through the Mediterranean. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Eagle_(1918)
The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Eagle underway.The U.S. Navy give the date as 1942, but due to the lack of camouflage and wartime modifications this photograph was probably taken in the 1930s. By U.S. Navy - U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 1996.488.037.033, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12587859
Aug 12, 1942 CE
Axis attacks devastate Pedestal convoy
Italian and German aircraft, submarines, and E-boats launched relentless attacks on the convoy. The carrier Indomitable was badly damaged, a cruiser and a destroyer were sunk, and several merchant ships were lost in a single day. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Pedestal
IWM caption : OPERATION PEDESTAL, AUGUST 1942. 13 August: Air Attacks: The merchant ship WAIMARAMA explodes after being bombed. By Royal Navy photographer - This photograph HU 43689 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 8210-26), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2294222
Aug 13, 1942 CE
Ohio reaches Grand Harbour
The critically damaged American tanker Ohio, carrying vital fuel, was guided into Valletta's Grand Harbour lashed between two destroyers. Its cargo saved Malta from surrender and enabled offensive operations from the island. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Ohio
The damaged tanker OHIO, supported by Royal Navy destroyers, approaches Malta after an epic voyage across the Mediterranean as part of convoy WS21S (en:Operation Pedestal) to deliver fuel and other vital supplies to the besieged island. OHIO's back was broken and her engines failed during heavy German and Italian attacks. Because of the vital importance of her cargo (10,000 tons of fuel which would enable the aircraft and submarines based at Malta to return to the offensive), she could not be abandoned. In a highly unusual manoeuvre, two destroyers supported her to provide buoyancy and power for the remainder of the voyage. The OHIO's captain was subsequently awarded the George Cross. The OHIO itself was sunk outside the harbour after discharging its cargo. By Cook H E (Lt), War Office official photographer - This photograph GM 1480 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2270168
Oct 11, 1942 CE
Malta regained as offensive base
With supplies from Pedestal and reinforced Spitfire squadrons, Malta regained its offensive capability. The island's aircraft and submarines began devastating Axis supply convoys to North Africa ahead of the Battle of El Alamein. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Malta_(World_War_II)
A heavily bomb-damaged street in Valletta, Malta. This street is Kingsway, the principal street in Valetta. Service personnel and civilians are present clearing up the debris. By Russell, J E (Lt) - Royal Navy official photographer - This photograph A 8701 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-01), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2354372
Nov 20, 1942 CE
Siege effectively broken at El Alamein
The Allied victory at El Alamein and Operation Torch landings in North Africa permanently reduced the Axis threat to Malta. The siege was effectively broken, securing the island as a base for the invasion of Sicily the following year. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein
El Alamein 1942: British infantry advances through the dust and smoke of the battle. Sergeant Len Chetwyn had a focus on creating and recording re-enactments of military scenes behind the front lines rather than recording live activities on the front lines. By Len Chetwyn - This photograph E 18474 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-32), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=182419
![For documentary purposes the German Federal Archive often retained the original image captions, which may be erroneous, biased, obsolete or politically extreme. Albert Kesselring ADN-Zentralbild-Archiv Ehemaliger Generalfeldmarschall Kesselring 6964-40 Scherl Bilderdienst [Albert Kesselring hier als General der Flieger mit Ritterkreuz, Aufnahme 1940] Abgebildete Personen: Kesselring, Albert: Generalfeldmarschall, Ritterkreuz (RK), Heer, Deutschland (GND 118722050)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-R93434%2C_Albert_Kesselring_%28cropped%29.jpg/500px-Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-R93434%2C_Albert_Kesselring_%28cropped%29.jpg)
