Another shot of some beautiful buildings we saw as we walked along the narrow streets of Birgu. Being close to the British naval base during WWII, Birgu was heavily bombed. I tried to find out whether these buildings were built after the war or before or whether they suffered damages during the war and were restored to their original state but I found it impossible to check on each of them.
During WWII, as Churchill predicted, Malta was vital in stopping Axis forces in their North African campaign. The Islands were always high on the enemy's agenda and Stuka bombers based in Sicily tried to pound Malta into submission. In the summer of 1942 the Islands were pushed to the brink, almost to capitulation. A convoy saved Malta from starvation that summer bringing food supplies and ammunition for Malta to stay in the war. The ships were named the Santa Marija Convoy because they started arriving on the 15th August - the religious feast of the Virgin Mary which is celebrated to this day.
In 1943, Malta was one of the launch pads for the Allied invasion of Sicily. The Italian navy surrendered in Malta on 8th September, by coincidence, the very same day on which 378 years earlier the Great Siege had ended.
Many thanks for your views and for your comments and fav's on yesterday's picture.
Another beautiful shot Dione. Fav. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain the history behind your shots. i'm learning so much. My friend @lavenderlizzy and her husband are coming to Malta for two weeks shortly and I am very envious!
Ian