The Ohio and Malta: The Legendary Tanker That Refused to Die

by Michael Pearson

The lynchpin of the Allied campaign in the Mediterranean and North African theaters, Malta was the vital base from which to attack Axis convoys supplying Rommel's Panzer Army in Libya. The difficulties of keeping supplies, especially oil, flowing to Malta, however, were immense, and after enduring years of siege, the island was close to surrender by August 1942. This book describes the actions of the Pedestal convoy-Malta's a last chance to survive. Subjected to prolonged ferocious air and submarine attacks, the convoy suffered terrific losses. Ohio, the only tanker, took a direct hit from a torpedo, direct bomb hits, and was struck by two Luftwaffe aircraft shot down while attacking her. Practically broken in two, Ohio kept her vital cargo intact and was towed into Malta's Grand Harbor for unloading. Never before has such a careful study been made of the American-built vessel that came to symbolize the miraculous relief effort. 176 pages. 16 pages of illustrations. Hardcover. 6 x 9 inches.

Genres: War, History

176 pages, Hardcover

First published July 22, 2003

About the author

I have had a lifelong interest in all aspects of history, but particularly naval and maritime - I worked in shipping for twenty years. This led ultimately to my writing four non fiction military history books, all set in World War II.

I was an advisor on the Yesterday Television documentary 'Operation Pedestal' and have written articles for various military magazines.

Another great passion of mine is motor racing, I even gave it a try 'back in the day', racing Formula Ford single seaters and Escort Mexico saloons, mainly at Brands Hatch - a great circuit, challenging and lots of fun to drive.

Reviews

[Colin Bonnici · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome book!!! This book is a great tribute to those who sacrificed their lives to ensure freedom!!

A very detailed description of the events that occurred during Operation Pedestal, especially the ones surrounding the S.S. Ohio. This book greatly highlights the vital role this ship played in order to save the Island Fortress of Malta!!

The Ohio and Malta: The Legendary Tanker That Refused to Die

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became interested early in WWII. Most of my uncles served in the war as did most men during that time. It was in high school that I first learned of a cargo ship named the Ohio and what it did during the war. Since I am from Ohio the story of that ship has always been a compelling one. During the desperate days of WWII when an allied victory was still in doubt, the Germans were trying to supply Rommel and the North African campaign. The Mediterranean island of Malta, sitting astraddle the air and sea route between the boot of Italy and North Africa, was still held by the British who used it as an air and sea base. The Germans determined that it would be to hard to take by invasion and so decided to bomb and starve Malta into submission. The resultant bombing campaign brought Malta to the point of starvation and lack of fuel brought air and sea use of the island nearly to a halt. Without resupply the island would be forced to surrender. Realizing the importance of Malta to the allied war effort, in an operation called "Pedestal," Winston Churchill organized two convoys of food and fuel and sent them to the relief of Malta. The first convoy was decimated and not a ship got through. The second convoy was then organized. Needing a fast tanker and not having one, Churchill sent a desperate request to the United States for the Ohio, the largest tanker in the world at that time. Franklin Roosevelt requested the ship from its owner Texaco who turned it over to the British. Now crewed by the British merchant navy, the Ohio was the primary ship in a convoy of food and munitions ships bound for Malta. "The Ohio and Malta" is the story of that convoy. The Germans knew about the convoy ahead of time and the ships involved were forced to run a gauntlet of U-boats, constant air attacks and the Italian navy from Gibraltar to Malta. Almost all of the ships were sunk. The Ohio was under constant attack and was struck by aerial bombs, a torpedo. She was on fire at one point, two German bombers actually crashed on her deck and one bomb nearly split her in two. Her rudder was destroyed by another bomb and she had to be sandwiched, lashed between to destroyers to keep her afloat. It was a very near thing but the Ohio made it to Malta where her precious cargo was pumped out. The next day, her work done, she broke in half and sank in the harbor. With the fuel she brought the Royal Air Force again to to the air from Malta and interdicted the Nazi effort to resupply Rommel and only 35% of German reinforcements and supplies reached North Africa thereafter. It is one of the most compelling stories of WWII. The book is excellent and gives a blow by blow account of this crucial and largely forgotten action.

[Steve Bolt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book to bad the cover is wrong.

Book very interesting, well written. The author presents the facts in an informed manner. The only problem is that the cover is for a cook book and not this book.

[Robin Brotchie]

In August 1942 my grandfather Robin A C Owen (after who I am named) was the navigating officer on-board HMS Ledbury during the darkest days of World War II. The ship and the decisions of its enigmatic crew under Captain Roger Hill was one of the few ships to survive the operation and, by hook and by crook, eventually brought the US tanker SS Ohio into Grand Harbour. This success provided Malta with much needed supplies of oil for continuing the war effort against Italy and all this happened while the tiny island and convoy was being constantly barraged by Axis bombers day and night.

Having now read the history of the operation and the extreme courage of Ledbury in collecting survivors from the multiple ships which were bombed or torpedoed, I am so very proud of my grandfather for the role he played in the otherwise terrible grand narrative of WWII. Whilst not a fan of war myself, nor its glorification I am very grateful to have read this book and to know more about the man whose name I bear.