The Ohio and Malta : the legendary tanker that refused to die

During the dark days of WW2 Malta became the lynchpin of the Allied campaign in the Mediterranean and North African theatres and a vital base from which to attack Axis convoys supplying Rommel's Panzer Armee in Libya. Malta was, however, extremely difficult to keep supplied, (particularly with oil), and by the summer of 1942 the Island was close to surrender; the Pedestal convoy of august that year was literally the last chance.rnrnOn entering the Mediterranean the convoy was subjected to prolonged ferocious air and submarine attacks and suffered terrific losses both in warship escorts and merchantmen. OHIO, being the only tanker, was marked for particular attention, and during the course of her voyage suffered a direct hit from a torpedo, direct bomb hits, any number of near-misses, and was struck by two Luftwaffe aircraft shot down while attacking her. Despite her engines being dead and her hull practically broken in two, she was towed into Grand Harbour by three destroyers and a minesweeper with her vital cargo virtually intact. After the fall of France in 1940 Malta became the lynchpin of the Allied campaigns in the Mediterranean and North African theatres, being a vital base from which to attack Axis convoys, and the only Allied port between Gibraltar in the west and Alexandria in the east. The Island was, however, extremely difficult to keep supplied (particularly with oil, which had to be transported in bulk) and, by the summer of 1942, the situation for its beleaguered garrison and civil population was desperate. The Pedestal convoy of August that year was deemed the last chance. On entering the Mediterranean the convoy was subjected to ferocious air and submarine attacks and suffered terrible losses in both warships, escorts and merchantmen. The US-built OHIO, being the only tanker, was marked for particular attention and, during the course of her voyage, suffered direct hits from a torpedo and many bombs and was struck by two Luftwaffe aircraft shot down while attacking her. Despite these and numerous near-misses, with her engines dead, her hull practically broken in two, but with her vital cargo miraculously largely intact, she was towed into Grand Harbour by three destroyers and a minesweeper. Malta and her defenders gained a crucial reprieve This WWII naval history recounts one of the most iconic actions of Allied courage under fire as the embattled SS Ohio completes its mission to Malta. The fortified island of Malta was the lynchpin of the Allied campaign in the Mediterranean and North African theaters. It was the vital base from which to attack Axis convoys supplying Rommel's Panzer Army in Libya. The difficulties of keeping supplies, especially oil, flowing to Malta, however, were immense. By August of 1942, after multiple supply convoys had been thwarted, the Mediterranean stronghold had one last chance at survival: Operation Pedestal. Subjected to ferocious air and submarine attacks, the Pedestal convoy suffered terrific losses. The SS Ohio, the convoy's only tanker, took a direct hit from a torpedo, direct bomb hits, and was struck by two Luftwaffe aircraft. Practically broken in two, Ohio kept her vital cargo intact and was towed into Malta's Grand Harbor for unloading. Never before has such a careful study been made of the American-built vessel that came to symbolize the miraculous relief effort.

During the dark days of WW2 Malta became the lynchpin of the Allied campaign in the Mediterranean and North African theaters and a vital base from which to attack Axis convoys supplying Rommel's Panzer Armee in Libya. Malta was, however, extremely difficult to keep supplied, (particularly with oil), and by the summer of 1942 the Island was close to surrender; the Pedestal convoy of august that year was literally the last chance.

On entering the Mediterranean the convoy was subjected to prolonged ferocious air and submarine attacks and suffered terrific losses both in warship escorts and merchant men. OHIO, being the only tanker, was marked for particular attention, and during the course of her voyage suffered a direct hit from a torpedo, direct bomb hits, any number of near-misses, and was struck by two Luftwaffe aircraft shot down while attacking her. Despite her engines being dead and her hull practically broken in two, she was towed into Grand Harbor by three destroyers and a minesweeper with her vital cargo virtually intact.

During the dark days of World War 2, Malta became the lynchpin of the Allied campaign in the Mediterranean and North African theaters and a vital base from which to attack Axis convoys supplying Rommel's Panzer Armee in Libya. Malta was, however, extremely difficult to keep supplied, (particularly with oil), and by the summer of 1942 the Island was close to surrender; the Pedestal convoy of August that year was literally the last chance. On entering the Mediterranean, the convoy was subjected to prolonged ferocious air and submarine attacks and suffered terrific losses both in warship escorts and merchant men. OHIO, being the only tanker, was marked for particular attention, and during the course of her voyage suffered a direct hit from a torpedo, direct bomb hits, any number of near-misses, and was struck by two Luftwaffe aircraft shot down while attacking her. Despite her engines being dead and her hull practically broken in two, she was towed into Grand Harbor by three destroyers and a minesweeper with her vital cargo virtually intact On entering the Mediterranean, the convoy was subjected to prolonged ferocious air and submarine attacks and suffered terrific losses both in warship escorts and merchant men. OHIO, being the only tanker, was marked for particular attention, and during the course of her voyage suffered a direct hit from a torpedo, direct bomb hits, any number of near-misses, and was struck by two Luftwaffe aircraft shot down while attacking her. Despite her engines being dead and her hull practically broken in two, she was towed into Grand Harbor by three destroyers and a minesweeper with her vital cargo virtually intact. Bisac Code 1: HISTORY / Military / Naval