A series of stories shared with the public by Malta’s National Archives put more light on how highly important the arrival of the Santa Marija convoy was to the Maltese islands.

Right in the height of World War II, Malta and its inhabitants were almost starving to death after each supply ship was being bombarded with everything on it being destroyed.

Thankfully, after much planning and efforts through ‘Operation Pedestal’, the convoy arrived safely on the 15^th August, 1942, the day the Catholic Church celebrates the Assumption of St Mary.

One such story shared by the National Archives, shows how a direct order was issued to make sure that all roads near the harbour are safe and clear. This was done so when the convoy does eventually arrive the offloading would be as quick as possible to avoid the supplies being ruined in case the Grand Harbour got bombarded again.

They even issued a warning in Malta’s newspapers, stating the people should avoid the Grand Harbour at all costs so nothing can block them from offloading the convoy as quickly as possible.  

In order to avoid anything going wrong, the people working on the docks the day the convoy was set to arrive were secretly chosen by the British authorities as such information was incredibly classified. It was a day of work that was only meant to be entrusted to those they deemed to be the most loyal.

The authorities were even afraid that many would loiter the warehouses storing the supplies. They would go on to issue a warning emphasising the presence of armed guards and that those caught can suffer unwanted consequences.

Malta and its population suffered immensely throughout the war but thankfully the arrival of the convoy started Malta’s journey on returning back to a normal life, pre the war.

Facebook/National Archives of Malta