The Maltese Cross: A Strategic History of Malta (Contributions in Military Studies)

Malta is one of the smallest nations in the world, yet has one of the longest histories of any country. The accidents of geology and geography produced an island at the center of the Mediterranean with a large harbor and ample resources for the construction of fortifications. As a result, the Maltese bore witness to many of the great conflicts in world history, from the Punic Wars, to Napoleon's conquests, to the North African and Mediterranean campaigns during World War II. Covering the entire sweep of the island's history, Castillo argues that not only was Malta's geographic location critical, its people played a crucial role in many of these struggles. The Maltese contributed largely to the defense of the islands when invaded by the Ottoman Turks in 1565, and the people rebelled against French rule after Napoleon evicted the Knights of Malta. During World War II, Malta became a strategic hub for the Allies' Mediterranean campaign, and the islands endured some of the most sustained and intensive bombing during the war— up to 15 tons of bombs per square mile. Includes chapters on the Knights of Malta, the 1565 siege, Napoleon's invasion, Malta's role in World War II, and modern Malta. Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 1 The Maltese Islands......Page 12 2 Malta before the Knights......Page 28 3 The Knights of Malta......Page 50 4 The Great Siege of 1565......Page 66 5 Hospitaller Malta......Page 90 6 The French Revolution and the Knights of Malta......Page 106 7 The Maltese Revolt of 1798......Page 124 8 British Malta......Page 140 9 Malta and World War II: The Italian Phase......Page 158 10 Malta and World War II: The German Phase......Page 178 11 Operation Pedestal......Page 204 12 Modern Malta......Page 228 Notes......Page 238 Bibliography......Page 260 A......Page 266 C......Page 267 F......Page 269 G......Page 270 J......Page 271 M......Page 272 P......Page 274 R......Page 275 S......Page 276 T......Page 278 Z......Page 279 Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 1 The Maltese Islands 12 2 Malta before the Knights 28 3 The Knights of Malta 50 4 The Great Siege of 1565 66 5 Hospitaller Malta 90 6 The French Revolution and the Knights of Malta 106 7 The Maltese Revolt of 1798 124 8 British Malta 140 9 Malta and World War II: The Italian Phase 158 10 Malta and World War II: The German Phase 178 11 Operation Pedestal 204 12 Modern Malta 228 Notes 238 Bibliography 260 Index 266 A 266 B 267 C 267 D 269 E 269 F 269 G 270 H 271 I 271 J 271 K 272 L 272 M 272 N 274 O 274 P 274 R 275 S 276 T 278 U 279 V 279 W 279 X 279 Y 279 Z 279 The Maltese Islands -- Malta Before The Knights -- The Knights Of Malta -- The Great Siege Of 1565 -- Hospitaller Malta -- The French Revolution And The Knights Of Malta -- The Maltese Revolt Of 1798 -- British Malta -- Malta And World War Ii : The Italian Phase -- Malta And World War Ii : The German Phase -- Operation Pedestal -- Modern Malta. Dennis Castillo. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [249]-254) And Index. The Maltese bore witness to many of the great conflicts in world history, from the Punic Wars, to Napoleon's conquests, to the North African and Mediterranean campaigns during WWII. Covering the island's history, this book argues that not only was Malta's geographic location critical, its people played a crucial role in many of these struggles. Annotation. Despite its size, the small island nation of Malta has had a dramatic effect on world history. Historian Dennis Castillo, the American-born son of Maltese immigrants, traces the challenges faced by the Maltese people as witness to the Punic Wars, the Crusades, Napoleonic Wars, and World War II