The Ohio and Malta: The Legendary Tanker that Refused to DieBy the summer of 1942 Malta was close to surrender due to the lack of supplies; the Pedestal convoy of August that year was literally the last chance. On entering the Mediterranean the convoy was subjected to prolonged ferocious air and submarine attacks and suffered terrific losses both in warship escorts and merchantmen. Ohio, being the only tanker, was marked for particular attention, and during the course of her voyage suffered a direct hit from a torpedo, direct bomb hits, and was struck by two Luftwaffe aircraft shot down while attacking her. Despite her engines being dead and her hull practically broken in two, she was towed into Grand Harbour by three destroyers and a minesweeper with her vital cargo virtually intact. |
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The Ohio and Malta: The Legendary Tanker that Refused to Die Michael Pearson No preview available - 2011 |
Common terms and phrases
aboard action Admiral ahead air attacks aircraft approaching Army arrived assist astern attack attempt August Axis boats bomb bombers Bramham British Built Burrough Captain cargo carrier Chief close completed continued convoy crew cruiser damaged deck destroyer dropped Eagle Oil engines escort fighters finally fire fleet Force four fuel geared German Gibraltar gunners guns hand Hill islands Italian Italy June keep knots later Ledbury Lieutenant Commander light loaded London Malta Mason Maximum Mediterranean merchant merchantmen miles morning move naval Navy night North Notes Officer Ohio once operation ordered passed Pedestal Penn Photo port position pump received remained Royal Seaman Second Service Shell ship side speed Star starboard steering stopped submarine supplies tanker tanks tonnes tons took torpedo turned United warships