Operation Pedestal with Sir Max Hastings

Warfare

By the summer of 1942 Malta had been under siege by Axis forces for over a year and the situation on the island was bleak with food and fuel almost exhausted. This vital allied foothold in the Mediterranean had to be held at all cost in order to prevent the collapse of the allied effort in North Africa where Rommel's forces were finding much success.

In a desperate bid to prevent the loss of Malta, Winston Churchill ordered that a convoy like no other be dispatched to run the air and sea gauntlet in the Mediterranean. In August 1942 4 aircraft carriers, 2 battleships, 7 light cruisers, 32 destroyers, 11 submarines and a host of smaller vessels and aircraft accompanied 14 merchant ships as they attempted to battle their way to the beleaguered island fortress.

The legendary Max Hastings joins Dan in this episode from the archive to tell the story of the incredible bravery and tenacity of the men who took part in Operation Pedestal.

This episode was first broadcast on Dan Snow's History Hit, 13th July 2021.

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