Fortress Malta: An Island Under Seige 1940 1943

Author: James Holland

Stock information

General Fields

  • : $24.99 AUD
  • : 9780304366545
  • : Orion Publishing Group, Limited
  • : Phoenix
  • :
  • : 0.408
  • : August 2009
  • : 198mm X 129mm X 33mm
  • : United Kingdom
  • : 24.99
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  • :
  • :
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : James Holland
  • : Cassell Military Paperbacks Ser.
  • : Paperback
  • : 1
  • :
  • : English
  • :
  • : 464
  • : 84, 9 maps
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  • :
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Barcode 9780304366545
9780304366545

Description

Malta remains the most bombed place on earth. In just two months in 1942 - March and April - more explosives were dropped on this 17 x 9-mile Mediterranean island than on the whole of Britain during the entire first year of the Blitz. In 1942 Malta was the most important strategic piece of land in the world. The Axis forces had to occupy it to consolidate Rommel's position in North Africa and the Allies had to hold it to prevent them. Fortress Malta follows the story through the eyes of those who were there, young men such as 20-year-old Spitfire pilot Raoul Daddo-Langlois from the Channel Islands and anti-aircraft gunner Ken Griffiths from Wales; Lance Corporal Frank Rixon, an orphan from Berkshire who'd joined the Royal West Kents as a boy soldier; and merchant seaman Joe McCarthy from Wigan; and Maltese nurses Carmela Ferra, and Suzanne Parlby. Through these and a cast of many more James Holland has woven a true story of heroism, resilience, love and loss - a largely forgotten, but critical episode of the Second World War.

Promotion info

The most incredible story of heroism A Sunday Times top 10 bestseller Backed by the George Cross Island Association Tells the story through the experiences of those who were there Talented, promotable young historian Film option with Harvey Weinstein Major serialisation on hardback publication '(A) timely, many-faceted account...a long-overdue and comprehensive account of the second great siege of Malta...This is a fine first book from a promising young historian.' John Crossland, SUNDAY TIMES 'The remarkable story of how the British and their Maltese allies made it through with two bits of elastic and a broken fish-hook...James Holland does them proud with a loving, enthusiastic account' Will Cohu, DAILY TELEGRAPH

Reviews

'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

Author description

James Holland studied history at Durham University. He has published two novels and is working on a third. James writes articles and reviews for The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Times, The Times, Sunday Express, New Statesman and BBC History Magazine, mostly about 20th century social history and the Second World War.