(Cited in Practical Christianity No 87, September 1940, published by the Officers’ Christian Union (OCU) (now the Armed Forces’ Christian Union)).
A CALL FOR OUR PRAYERS
SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY
By His Excellency Lieut-General
W.G.S. DOBBIE, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O.
Acting Governor and Commander-in-Chief, Malta
Tuesday, 18th June, 1940
The decision of His Majesty’s Government to fight on until our enemies are defeated will be heard with the greatest satisfaction by all ranks of the garrison of Malta. It may be that hard times lie ahead of us, but however hard they may be, I know that the courage and determination of all ranks will not falter, and that with God’s help we will maintain the security of this Fortress.
I call on all Officers and other ranks humbly to seek God’s help and thus in reliance on Him to do their duty unflinchingly.
W.G.S. Dobbie,
Lieut-General
Acting Governor and Commander-in-Chief
And the rest, as they say, is history. The people of the Island of Malta were honoured with the George Cross, awarded only for acts of the greatest heroism or the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger, by King George V1 in a handwritten letter:
“The Governor
Malta
To honour her brave people, I award the George Cross to the Island Fortress of Malta to bear witness to a heroism and devotion that will long be famous in history.
George R.I.
April 15th, 1942”
Lieutenant-General Sir William Dobbie answered:
“By God’s help, Malta will not weaken but will endure until victory is won.”
At this time, military resources and food rations in Malta were practically depleted. Fuel was restricted to military action and heavily rationed, the population was on the brink of starvation, and even ammunition was running out, such that Anti-Aircraft (AA) guns could only fire a few rounds per day. On 15 August 1942 (the feast day of Santa Marija also known as Assumption of Mary Day) a convoy of Royal and Merchant Navy ships finally made port in Valletta’s Grand Harbour, after completing what has been considered one of the most heroic maritime episodes in recent history.
A public award ceremony in Valletta was held on 13 September 1942, after the arrival of the convoy. God had truly answered the prayers.
*Photo Credit: The George Cross | National Army Museum