During the Second World War, the fate of the Mediterranean depended on the beleaguered island of Malta – the most bombed place on earth at the time. To defend the islands and keep things running, an army of people was needed, many of whom went unnoticed. Here are five unsung World War II heroes that Malta is definitely grateful for.

1. Peter Rothwell

Peter volunteered to join the Special Duties Flights of Wellington aircraft in Malta, reaching the island in early 1942. He flew Wellington bombers in Malta and took part in 38 sorties, all hazardous and nerve-wracking. One of his units was responsible for attacking an Italian merchant vessel, bombing and sinking it.

2. Irene Condachi

One of the best kept secrets of World War II is that the island was being run on the work done by women; women just like Dr Irene Condachi. Irene was one of the few WWII female doctors on the island at the time. This incredible woman single-handedly inoculated and examined at least 20,000 schoolchildren under war conditions and without any means of transportation. She walked long distances from one government school to another to examine between 10,000 and 15,000 children a year, as well as prescribing an ointment for children with scabies. In later years, she was credited with eradicating this condition from government schools.

3. George Frederick “Buzz” Beurling

George Frederick "Buzz" Beurling was the most successful Canadian fighter pilot of the Second World War and served Malta greatly. Buzz was recognised as "Canada's most famous hero of Second World War", as "The Falcon of Malta" and the "Knight of Malta", having been credited with shooting down 27 axis aircraft in just 14 days over the besieged Mediterranean island. 

4. Paul Meilak

In an interview with the U.S. Embassy, war veteran Paul Meilak describes what life was like during the war. He says that the worst three years for our islands were between 1940 and 1942. Around 35 ships were setting sail to Malta from Gibraltar, but only four of them entered Malta, including the Ohio – the ship that essentially saved our islands. Paul was stationed in Valletta at Fort St Elmo when he got the chance to board the ship, describing it as having its upper deck completely blown off. Paul’s house was demolished at 4am during an air raid and his family were left with nothing. Fortunately, a priest had an empty house and offered it to them.

5. Mary Ellul

At least 10,000 women came forward and lent a helping hand as first aiders, air attack and anti-gas instructors, aid-detachment nurses and secretaries, among others. Mary Ellul was one of these women and was popularly known as ‘Mary the Man’, from Sliema – a true boss lady in the community. She was a woman with phenomenal strength, rescued people from under the rubble and was reputed for dealing with rowdy sailors by chucking them into the Sliema sea when she worked as a bouncer after the war. See? Boss. Lady. You wouldn’t want to get on her bad side!