Operation Pedestal: The Fleet that Battled to Malta 1942

About Operation Pedestal: The Fleet that Battled to Malta 1942

Delve into one of World War II's most dramatic and pivotal naval engagements with Max Hastings' compelling narrative, Operation Pedestal: The Fleet that Battled to Malta 1942. In August 1942, Malta, a crucial Allied stronghold, faced imminent surrender due to starvation. Churchill's personal decision to save the 'island fortress' sparked Operation Pedestal, assembling the largest Royal Navy fleet committed to any Western Front operation. This book vividly recounts the brutal Mediterranean battles that ensued, as fourteen merchant ships, escorted by battleships, aircraft carriers, and cruisers, fought through relentless Axis air and U-boat attacks across a thousand miles of sea.

Max Hastings, renowned for his meticulous research and gripping storytelling, brings to life the catastrophic ship sinkings, the heroic struggles to rescue survivors, and the extraordinary tale of the tanker Ohio, indispensable to Malta's survival. Blending the strategic 'big picture' with intimate human stories of German U-boat crews, Italian torpedo-plane pilots, and British seamen, Hastings paints a comprehensive portrait of courage and suspense. This Sunday Times bestseller is a must-read for anyone interested in naval history, World War II, and Malta's pivotal role in the conflict, offering a profound insight into a battle where the outcome hung in the balance until the very last hours.

Key Details

• Author: Max Hastings
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Format: Paperback, 428 pages
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• ISBN: 9780008364953

Order from BookClub.com.mt — Malta and Gozo's online bookstore.