The Siege of Malta was a military campaign in the Mediterranean Theatre of the Second World War. From 1940-42, the fight for the control of the strategically important island of Malta pitted the airforces and navies of Italy and Germany against the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy.

The opening of a new front in North Africa in mid-1940 increased Malta’s already considerable value. British air and sea forces based on the island could attack Axis ships transporting vital supplies and reinforcements from Europe. General Erwin Rommel, in de facto field command of Axis forces in North Africa recognised its importance quickly. In May 1941, he warned that “Without Malta the Axis will end by losing control of North Africa”.

During this excursion you will walk through Valletta where you will see the RAF Monument, Porta Reale, Pjazza Teatru Irjal, Strada Stretta, Misrah San Gorg, Queen Victoria Statue, Victory Kitchen, Victoria Gate, Santa Maria Memorial, Upper Barracca Garden, Great Siege Bell and World War I Monument. You will also visit The Lascaris War Rooms, an underground complex of tunnels and chambers that housed the War Headquarters from where the defence of Malta was conducted during the Second World War. The secret complex contained operations rooms for each of the fighting services from where not only the air defence of Malta was coordinated, but also some of the greatest battles fought in the Mediterranean during the war. Lascaris was the advance Allied HQ from where General Eisenhower and his Supreme Commanders Admiral Cunningham, Field Marshal Montgomery and Air Marshall Tedder directed Operation Husky – the Invasion of Sicily in 1943.

Availability: Every Friday