Santa Maria Convoy

SS Ohio entering the main harbor at Valletta on August 15, 1942.

Seventy-five years ago on August 15, Malta was on the verge of starvation and days away from a possible surrender to the Axis forces led by Nazi Germany. But a last-ditch, high-risk effort to supply the island with direly needed fuel and food paid off, despite heavy losses, when the American tanker, the SS Ohio, was towed into Grand Harbour at 9.30am on August 15, 1942, to cheering crowds.

Children cheering and waving flags as they welcome the SS Ohio.

This August marks the 75^th anniversary of the Operation Pedestal – popularly known as the Santa Marija Convoy, given the date on which the SS Ohio was towed into port, which not only saved Malta from surrender but also arguably turned the tide of WWII in favour of the Allies. Operation Pedestal was ultimately a tactical disaster, given the great losses sustained, but it was also a clear strategic victory for the Allies. The fuel supplies helped ensure that the Malta-based fighter planes would protect ships unloading in future supply operations.

Medal issued this year to commemorate the 75th anniversary.

The fuel also gave a substantial boost to Malta-based operations against Axis shipping lines, which sank a substantial proportion of Axis convoys to North Africa. SS Ohio was towed into Grand Harbor to cheering crowds and a band playing Rule Britannia. The crowd fell silent as the ships entered harbor, men removed their hats, women crossed themselves and a bugle sounded Still. The tanker discharged oil into two tankers and water was pumped in at the same time, to reduce the chance of structural failure. Ohio sank to the bottom of the Grand Harbor just as the last of the fuel was emptied. 

Painting in Qrendi church depicting the arrival of Operation Pedestal.

But thanks to the prayers of the devout people of Malta, they had prayed to the Blessed Mother to save them from starvation. And these included my own parents who were teenagers back then.