name class date started - delasallemalta.org · many germans thought that the hated treaty of...

OUR STORY © Mario Ellul, De La Salle Junior Section 2013 1

Name

Class

Date Started


Dear Students, Welcome to the second book in this series. In the first book we have taken a look at life history, mostly from the remote past. We have seen a style of life which was so different from ours. Now it is time to move forward in time and look a bit at an episode which is very important in the history of Malta. We are going to read about World War II. Wars are horrible and this war was disastrous for our little island. Many people died. Many others were injured. Whole cities were destroyed. Thousands became homeless. The Second World War was a disaster for many countries. In some places, whole populations were wiped out – some times for the simple reason that they were different! We ask you to think about these horrible events. War is not a game – though some of you may enjoy playing at soldiers or maybe you like video games based on the Second World War, we ask you to keep in mind that though we study wars as part of our history – they bring nothing but suffering, pain and horror to young and old alike. By believing in peace – you too can make a difference! Here is what Anne Frank – a young German girl who lived at the time of the Second World War wrote about the terrible events she had to live through:

I don't believe that the big men, the politicians and the generals alone are guilty of the war. Oh, no, the little man is just as keen. There is an urge and rage in people to destroy, to kill, to murder. I have made up my mind now to lead a different life from other girls. I must uphold my ideals, for perhaps the time will come when I shall be able to carry

them out. My ideals seem crazy and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.


During the coming weeks, we will be talking about the Second World War in Malta. This terrible war lasted from September 1939 to August 1945. Six years of madness during which around 70 million people died a horrible death! Malta played a part in this war from the first to the last. At that time we were still part of the British Empire and Malta was an important base for the British navy, air force and army. For three years out of those six, Malta suffered many attacks and it became one of the most heavily bombed places on earth!

70 million! That’s horrible! But wait a minute. Why is it called the SECOND World War? Does that mean that there was a FIRST World War?

Yes. There was a FIRST World War between 1914 and 1918. Let’s find some information on our computer about this war.

It all started on the 28th of June 1914 when the Crown Prince of Austria – the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie were shot dead during a visit to the city of Sarajevo. The European powers used this as an excuse to declare war against each other. Within a couple of weeks nearly all of Europe was at war.

The most horrible battles happened in France where huge armies faced each other. Millions of soldiers died in these battles. Other terrible battles were fought in Turkey, Russia, in Africa and at sea. During this war, Malta was not attacked but it did its bit by setting up huge hospitals all over the island where the wounded soldiers were brought over to be cured or to rest.


After 4 years of fighting, 9 million dead and great suffering, the First World War came to an end.

The war ended with the defeat of Germany, Austria and Turkey. On the winning side there was Britain, France, the United States of America and Italy. The peace treaty said that the fault for the start of the First World War was Germany’s. So, as their reasoning went, Germany had to pay.

Germany had to give up parts of its territories to France, Poland and Czechoslovakia. It could not have a big army and navy and it could not have an air force. Moreover, Germany had to pay for the cost of the war for the victorious powers.

Germany was humiliated. Many Germans vowed revenge and looked forward to the day when the Treaty of Versailles could be revised or totally scrapped.

A great meeting was held at the French palace of Versailles to agree on a peace treaty.

All the countries in Europe struggled to get over the ill effects of the First World War – but they were not very successful. Many people lost their jobs and many families became poor overnight.

Millions of people throughout Europe were without work. Disaster hit even the richest countries. Money lost its value. People resorted to bartering as money became worthless.

German children playing with worthless banknotes in the street. The crisis left around 6 million people unemployed in Germany alone!


Many Germans thought that the hated Treaty of Versailles was the reason behind all their troubles. In despair, the German people turned to Adolf Hitler – a politician who was promising that once he came to power, he would tear up the Treaty of Versailles and give Germany new strength and power. This made him and his Nazi Party very popular. At the beginning of 1933, Hitler became the Prime Minister of Germany. From the moment he came to power, Hitler started building up the German army again.

The Treaty of Versailles had prohibited Germany from keeping soldiers in the border area with France. The German army re-entered the area in 1936. Nobody lifted a finger against it.

Hitler was born in Austria in 1889. In 1938, he sent the German army into Austria and occupied the country. Again – nobody resisted.

EUROPE

IN

1939

Austria taken over by Germany in 1938

Czechoslovakia – taken over in 1939

Italy became an ally and friend of Germany in 1936

Malta – British base in the Mediterranean

The German army re-entered the Rhineland in 1936


Not everybody was happy that once again Hitler had got away with his plans! Soon after the conquest of Czechoslovakia, Hitler started making it clear that Poland was next on his list. This time, the British and the French decided to be firm. A promise was made to Poland – if Hitler attacks you, we will come to your help! This did not impress Hitler!

The leaders of Britain and France were desperate to avoid another war. Bit by bit they started giving in to Hitler’s demands to avoid another disaster. In 1938, Hitler made it clear that he wanted to take over parts of Czechoslovakia. The British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain met Hitler in Germany and agreed that Germany was to take over parts of Czechoslovakia.

Neville Chamberlain returned to Britain and told the happy crowds that Hitler had promised that Germany would never go to war with Britain again!

Benito Mussolini (on the left in this picture) had become Prime Minister of Italy in 1922.

In time, both Mussolini and Hitler became DICTATORS – they did away with democracy, parliament, elections and political parties and ruled their countries by force of arms.

Around the year 1936 Mussolini and Hitler became very close.

1st September 1939 The German army and air force

attacked Poland

3rd September 1939 – Britain and France declared war on Germany. The Second World War had started!


War did not come immediately to our island. Italy did not enter the war but Mussolini decided to wait and see what would happen before deciding which side to join. The attack on Poland ended quickly. Germany took over Poland and no one came to help the Poles. Everybody waited tensely to see what course the war would take. The war in Poland had been very fast. The Germans used the word BLITZKRIEG for it – Blitz (lightning) and Krieg (war). After the surrender of Poland, the war entered a phase where everybody seemed to be waiting for what would happen next. There were even those who joked about it and used the word SITZKRIEG – Sitz (sit) Krieg (war) or the Sitting War for it!!! Suddenly in May of 1940, things started happening really fast. The Germans attacked Holland, Belgium and Luxemburg and soon they were also moving into France. Town after town fell to the German armies and the British, who had come to help the French had to escape back to England. Mussolini thought that the war was as good as over and it was clear that it was going to be won by the Germans. He wanted to join in before it was too late for Italy to claim that it had been on the winning side. On the 10th of June 1940, at around 6.00pm, from the balcony of a palace in Rome in front of a huge crowd, Mussolini declared war on Britain and France. Malta prepared itself for the worst!!!


It was Monday the 10th of June 1940. A crowd of people was gathered in Piazza Venezia in Rome – waiting! Suddenly the crowd burst in loud cheering as the doors of the balcony of Palazzo Venezia opened and out came the leader of the Italian government – Benito Mussolini. Mussolini delivered a speech in which he listed all the things which the Italians felt cheated about by the other powers. During his speech he declared war on Great Britain and France. The crowd in the square clapped and cheered but millions of Italians at home were worried.

In Malta many people heard Mussolini’s speech on the radio. Television had not arrived in Malta yet. Some families had radio at home, while others went to clubs or bars to hear the radio. In some villages, there were also radios connected with loudspeakers set up in the main square.

An Italian newspaper announces the start of the war for Italy

The hour of destiny has arrived

Italians! Prepare your weapons!

Our leader declares war

Mussolini’s speech was filmed on a cine camera. You can see clips of the original speech on the day at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYp_vN84p_U


Malta was not fully prepared for war. The British Royal Air Force was not too hopeful that it could defend Malta. All war planes had been withdrawn from Malta because the British were afraid that with Sicily and the Italian bases so near, their aeroplanes would be destroyed on the ground. The navy had a problem too. The British were afraid that the Italians would sink a lot of warships in the Grand Harbour, so most of their ships were withdrawn from Malta to Alexandria in Egypt or to Gibraltar – far away from Italy.

Tuesday 11th June 1940. It was around 7.00 am. A lot of people were on their way to work when suddenly they heard the air raid warning. Many were confused. Others ran for shelter. There were those who thought that it was a practice drill. Suddenly aeroplanes of the Italian Air Force were seen in the sky. It was the first air raid on Malta.

Ta’ Qali Airfield was a very important base for the British Air Force.

The Grand Harbour and the surrounding areas:

The Dockyard

War ships and merchant ships

Guns and fortresses

Fuel stores

The airport at Ħal Luqa had just been finished in 1939 – it was another base for the British Royal Air Force.

Ħal Far Airfield was used by war planes too.

Kalafrana was another military base. It was used by sea planes.

The Italian airplanes dropped bombs on the following targets:


The Maltese were prepared for a very different type of war. The government had expected that the Italians would throw poisonous gas on Malta. Everybody was given a gas mask to wear in case of attack and people were taught how to use it. The gas mask came in a cardboard box like the one on the right. People were even told how to prepare a ‘gas proof’ shelter at home. Even babies had their own special gas masks – and there were even masks for such important animals as horses and donkeys. Luckily, poison gas was never used in attacks over Malta. No deep underground shelters were prepared. People were told that the Maltese houses were strong enough to stand attacks. People were advised to take shelter in basements, under arches or under tables during attacks. A special group of Air Raid Wardens was organised to give first aid to people and to help the police keep order during attacks. Anti-aircraft guns were placed in various places all over Malta, especially around the main targets. These guns fired at airplanes. There were also soldiers guarding the beaches and fortresses to defend the island against any attack. Most importantly – people were advised not to panic!!!


Malta was an important base for the British navy in the Mediterranean. The Italians and the Germans tried to destroy Malta’s ability to fight back. The Italians and the Germans had an army fighting against the British in North Africa. This army needed supplies of food, fuel and ammunition – which were sent from Italy to North Africa in ships. British submarines and aeroplanes based in Malta attacked these ships and sank many of them. The Italians and the Germans were furious! Malta had to be taken or stopped from causing more harm. Bombing Malta into submission was one of the solutions. This famous cartoon was published in a British newspaper in 1942 at the height of the war on Malta.

Benito Mussolini is shown as a washerwoman carrying buckets and brushes.

Hitler is angry at the German and Italian failure to bomb out Malta – “Haven’t you two cleaned that up yet?”

The Italians called the Mediterranean Sea – ‘Mare Nostrum’ – OUR SEA in Latin.

Hermann Goering was the head of the German Air Force. Here he is shown trying to scrub Malta off the map.

Bombs and aeroplanes are caricatured as rubbers, soap and disinfectants.

The cartoon is called INDELIBLE – which means IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE – in spite of the heavy attacks Malta managed to keep on fighting.


The war dragged on for six long years! At first, the Germans and their friends (Italy and Japan) won many battles. Nearly all of Europe fell under German rule. From 1940 to 1941, Britain stood alone against the German armies. Then in July 1941, Germany attacked Russia. This came as a great surprise for everybody! In 1939, the Germans and the Russians had signed a pact of friendship and promised that they would not go to war with each other. Suddenly on the 22nd of June 1941, without any warning, the Germans attacked Russia. This cartoon from the period sums up the situation. By December 1941, the Germans had won great victories and they almost got as far as Moscow. Then winter set in and the advance had to stop. The German army was not prepared for the terrible cold weather. When the Russians recovered, they started pushing the Germans back. The Germans suffered many losses and in May 1945 the Russian army entered Berlin.

Josef Stalin, the Russian dictator is stabbed in the back by his ‘friend’ Hitler. Stalin could not believe that Hitler had broken their pact.

The pact signed by Hitler and Stalin in 1939, falls uselessly to the ground.

Adolf Hitler is shown stabbing Stalin in the back.

The German army attacked Russia with all its might. At first it won many battles as the Russians had been caught unawares.


In December of 1941, the Japanese attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii. The United States of America entered the war against Germany and its allies. Now the war had become truly widespread!

In November 1943, the BIG THREE met in the city of Tehran in Iran to discuss the war and what to do on its conclusion. Other meetings were held in other locations. The Big Three decided that the only way the war could end was with the TOTAL surrender of Germany – NO DISCUSSIONS were allowed.

The shaded area on the map shows the AXIS powers - Germany, Italy and Japan and the places they conquered -

On the other side there were the ALLIES – led by Britain, the U.S.A and the U.S.S.R (Russia).

Winston Churchill – The British Prime Minister

Josef Stalin – dictator of the U.S.S.R

Franklin Roosevelt – President of the U.S.A


Around the year 1942, the war started turning against the Axis powers. However, a lot of people had to go through terrible suffering until their countries were freed from German rule. People who were different from what the Germans thought should be the ideal people were given a very hard time. Some were thrown in prison, more horribly some others were killed. The Nazis had some very strange ideas about the ‘master race’ or what they thought should be the looks and the ideas of the ideal human being. The Jews were the worst targets of German hate. According to the Nazis, they did not qualify as human beings. The Jews were deprived of German citizenship, they could not study at university, they could not own a business and they had to wear a special badge to be identified. Some German Jews decided to leave Germany before it became worse. One of these was the Frank family. Otto Frank was a rich German businessman who did not want to live under Nazi rule. However, a lot of others could not leave.


In 1933, the Frank family – Otto, his wife and their two daughters – Margot and Anne moved to Amsterdam. They managed to rebuild their life, but then the Nazis caught up with them again when Germany attacked Holland in 1940.

The Germans took over Holland and soon the Dutch Jews started experiencing a horrible life under Nazi rule. In 1942 orders came for all the Jews living in Amsterdam to pack up and leave for ‘relocation’. This happened in all areas of Europe which fell under German rule. The Germans had an evil plan to dispose of all the people whom they considered as ‘inferior’.

Thousands of Jews were moved from the countryside into special areas in a number of cities. These areas were known as ghettos. Whole streets were walled in and closed with barbed wire.

Millions of others were moved from their homes to German occupied Poland. These people had to travel in horrible conditions – in railway trucks which were usually used to carry goods or animals.

On arrival at their destination, these people were selected. The fitter ones were sent to labour camps. There they had to work without pay for their German masters. These people lived in horrible conditions and millions of them died.

The sick, the elderly and the children were sent to their deaths in specially constructed death camps. By May 1945, around 6,000,000 Jews met their end in this horrible way.

Otto Frank decided not to take any risks. When orders came for the Franks to pack up and leave, the whole family went into hiding in a secret annex in Otto’s office.

They spent two years in hiding until someone betrayed them. The Franks were taken to one of the special camps. Anne, Margot and their mother died of typhus – a horrible disease at Bergen-Belsen. Their father survived and at the end of the war, he returned to the secret annex.


On his return to their old hiding place, Otto Frank found that the diary which Ann had kept during their hiding had survived. The diary, which was given to Ann on her 13th birthday is a record of her life from the 12th of June 1942 to the 1st of August 1944.

It was published and became famous the world over – making Ann a celebrity after her death.

Just two months after Anne Frank’s death, the Second World War in Europe came to an end. The Russian army closed in on Berlin and the Americans, together with the British and the French were advancing from the west. Hitler chose the coward’s way out and committed suicide in his deep underground shelter.

The Franks’ hiding place was preserved and opened as a museum which you can visit if you happen to be in Amsterdam. You can visit this website for a virtual tour of the museum:

http://www.annefrank.org

Hitler’s death makes the headlines in many papers.

Before dying, Hitler nominated Admiral Doenitz to succeed him as head of the German government.

German radio did not announce that Hitler committed suicide. The Germans were told that Hitler had died fighting against the Russians in Berlin. It took quite a lot of time for the truth about Hitler’s final days and his fate to come out.

Hitler insisted that the war had to be fought to the bitter end. Surrender was not acceptable

Admiral Doenitz


A few weeks later, on the 8th of May 1945 German generals surrendered to the Allies. The surrender was signed at the French city of Rheims.

The war with Japan took a bit longer to come to an end. The Japanese were determined to fight on, but then there occurred one of the most dramatic moments of the war – the Americans bombed the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with the Atom Bomb.

The allies had worked on this new weapon in great secrecy during the war. The Americans decided to use these bombs on Japan. On the 6th of August 1945, the first bomb – nicknamed ‘Little Boy’ was exploded over the city of Hiroshima. Three days later on the 9th of August, another bomb, this time called ‘Fat Man’ was exploded over Nagasaki. These two bombs killed approximately 200,000 people – mostly innocent civilians. The Japanese government had no choice. They had to surrender.

The Second World War was over.

General Alfred Jodl signed the surrender on behalf of the German army.

The surrender was signed at 2.40 am on the 7th of May. It was signed in a school building which served as HQ for the Allied High Command in Europe. A second surrender was signed at the city of Berlin shortly before midnight on the 8th of May. When news reached the public, it was greeted with great joy.

The mushroom cloud after the explosion is typical of a nuclear explosion. Historians still debate if this attack was necessary. Japan was already on the brink of surrender before the attack. Some say that the Americans just needed an excuse to test their new weapons.


At the end of the war, the Allies decided to hold a trial for war criminals. Those who were held responsible for the death and suffering of millions of people were arrested and put on trial.

The trials were held at the German city of Nuremberg. The trials became known as the Nuremberg War Trials.

The first trial examined the role of 24 of the most senior German leaders who had had a hand in crimes against humanity – such as the persecution of the Jews.

Hermann Goering – the chief of the German air force and Hitler’s deputy. Found guilty and condemned to death.

Rudolf Hess – another of Hitler’s deputies. Condemned to life in prison

General Wilhelm Keitel – condemned to death.

Albert Speer - government minister and friend of Adolf Hitler – condemned to 20 years in prison

Joachim von Ribbentrop – Hitler’s foreign minister – condemned to death

Admiral Karl Doenitz was Hitler’s successor as head of the government in 1945. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

American military policemen guarding the prisoners

General Alfred Jodl – sentenced to death. Hans Fritsche – radio

announcer – set free

Each of the Allied powers supplied a judge – there

was a British, an American, a Russian and a French

judge.

Some of the worst criminals were given the death

sentence by hanging.

Others were given long prison sentences.

name class date started - delasallemalta.org · many germans thought that the hated treaty of...

Documents