Operation Pedestal

En savoir plus sur le livre

Renowned historian Max Hastings recreates one of World War II's most thrilling events: Operation Pedestal, the British effort to save troops in Malta from starvation. In 1940, Hitler faced a choice regarding the Mediterranean: either avoid conflict or commit forces to expel the British from the Middle East. Ignoring his generals, he made a strategic blunder by ordering the Wehrmacht to seize Crete, allowing Malta to remain in Allied hands. By late 1941, the Royal Navy and RAF, supported by British intelligence, used Malta to launch a campaign against the Germans, sinking over 75% of their supply ships to North Africa. However, by spring 1942, the British advantage waned. The Luftwaffe bombed Malta more than London during the blitz, and British attempts to reinforce the island by convoy failed. With submarines and surface warships withdrawn, the remaining forces faced starvation. Operation Pedestal chronicles the British mission to save these troops. Over twelve days in August, German and Italian forces clashed with British fleets in fierce battles while supply ships were meticulously divided and dispersed. Ultimately, only a few Allied ships reached Malta, notably the SS Ohio, which carried essential fuel. While the Germans claimed victory, Hastings asserts that the British ultimately prevailed, as Malta remained a vital asset leading to the Nazis’ defeat. The operation's high cost was justified, as it ensured the survival of