The George Cross Island
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The George Cross is woven in the top left-hand corner of Malta's red and white flag and is displayed with pride.
It was His Royal Highness King George VI who awarded the cross to Malta on the 15th of April 1942.
In the letter sent to the Island's Governor Sir William Doobie, King George wanted the world to know and to "bear witness to the heroism and devotion of its people".
Sir William Dobbie answered "By God's help Malta will not weaken but will endure until victory is won".
Malta withstood bravely during the dark days of World War 2, with the Luftwaffe based just 60 miles away in Sicily the Maltese citizens
had to endure numerous air raids and a blockade that prevented many vital supplies from arriving to the Islands.
Many Maltese were mulnutrioned during the war due to the lack of food supplies available on the islands, food was rationed and "Victory Kitchens" were setup to feed the starving population.
Not only food was scarse but so was oil and ammunition, gunners were even limited on the number of rounds that they could fire at enemy planes. The Axis forces
knew the strategic importance of Malta, as Rommel was advancing in North Africa many of his supply ships were being attacked by RAF planes stationed in Malta.
The enemy's objective was to neutralise Malta by forcing the local population to capitulate and surrender.
The award came right after Malta had endured what was the worst bombing in history (at that time) from 24 March 1942 to 12 April 1942 over 1,869 tons of bombs were dropped on the islands,
the civilian population had spent over 162 hours in underground shelters during those faithful three weeks.
The Maltese did not surrender and held-on for another year, after the Allied invasion of Sicily in the Summer of 1943 the seige of Malta had ended.
The cross and letter are now displayed in the National War Museum at Fort St Elmo, Valletta.
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