Malta's defences during WWII had been shockingly minimal: 14 coastal defence guns, no operational fighter aircraft and less than 5,000 troops. There was also a shortage of food supplies which were sufficient for only six weeks. 

The Islands' coastal counter defence system consisted of seven BL 9.2-inch Mk X guns dating back from pre-WWI era. A detail revealed by a WWI history Facebook page, the post elaborates on the qualities of these guns: " In their original mountings these guns had a maximum range of some 20 kilometres."

Had their mounts been upgraded as scheduled during the '30s, their range would have increased to 36kms but: "... due to budget restraints etc this never happened in Malta."

However, the two 9.2-inch guns at Fort Madliena did receive an upgrade of sorts: "These would give cover up to the Gozo channel and at least had an upgrade with regards to the sighting and fire control system as well as receiving in 1941, shield insertions to cover the guns," the post continues to reveal.

Unfortunately, not much is left of these guns nowadays: "Presently all that is left of these wonderful beasts is the two concrete gun emplacements and metal bases, with storage holds and the underground shell and gunpowder magazines which still hold one intact shell lifter."