Operation Pedestal | The Malta Convoy Carrier Battle (Part 1 of 3)

[@SuperBrendak]

My dad, John Michael Simpson was on the Port Chalmers during Operation Pedestal - Malta Convoy). He received many medals during the war and also a King's Commendation. We, his family are so very proud of him.

[@robertsolomielke5134]

TY-The Pedestal convoy is epic in the Med. Another movie is needed.

[@keithlloyd4254]

This is a terrific format, very enjoyable to watch & listen to. There are so many channels whose narrators talk at great length to no purpose. This is the total & wonderful opposite, more strength to your elbow. Long may you continue to produce these great videos.

[@mackfisher4487]

Merchant sailors suffered the highest casualty rate of any service. Ironically were looked upon as shirkers by Americans during the war for taking pay and not serving in the Armed Forces. How brave were the British merchantman sailing the Texaco aviation gas tanker to Malta. There are some great stories about rave merchant sailors on the web. The US just recognize them last year for eligibility for VA benefits.

[@benwilson6145]

The British were no better, the Merchant Navy suffered a higher casualty rate than the Royal Navy, the Royal Air force or the Army. When you ship sank you were off pay. Shameful.

[@nigeh5326]

@@benwilson6145 yes imagine a woman going to pick up her husbands pay so she can feed and clothe their children only to be told ‘sorry madam your husband’s ship has gone down 2 days ago so no money for you dear’. The Merchant sailors of Allied nations were and to a large degree still are the forgotten heroes of WW2 😔 a bloody disgrace

[@mickeycrilly1839]

Many stories in liverpool about the families not knowing about there loved ones being dead until the pay stopped ,my grandad was torpedoed three times ,he was lucky enough to be picked up each time,off pay until he got another ship, bastard owners and government,the war would have been lost without them men

[@sillyone52062]

Operation Pedestal was an epic battle that is little known today. Would a movie about it be well received?

[@MarkHarrison733]

@@mickeycrilly1839 Communism won both world wars.

[@paulrayment2299]

My Dad, Henry Louis Rayment was on HMS Ashanti, I believe this was his first outing after joining up in early 42. Just been to Malta to see where he was as I have pictures of him in Valletta Harbour on Ashanti

[@benwilson6145]

You should do a video on the next convoy to leave Britain after Pedestal, PQ 18. That was a very hard fought convoy to Archangel following PQ 17. HMS Avenger was a major component in defense of the convoy leading to major German aircraft losses.

[@minnowpd]

I've gotten lost in the ice with PQ 17 now for a win. as the British naval chiefs said "We would'nt have spared the convoys if we were the Germans".

[@daniellapus636]

My favourite aircraft carrier HMS victorious involved in operation pedestal

[@garyhooper1820]

A part of the war seldom touched on, maintaining a presence in the Med, the key to driving the axis out of north Africa ,and the middle east. Frugally for oil and other resources.

[@daddydenis1]

My father chiefPO ERA William Arthur LEWRY was on board he was welding plates over bomb holes on deck when she went down he was thrown into the water and survived a long period in the water . He finished up in hospital He had a stroke and was in hospital for a period of time when he came out he went back on active duty he continued to have heavy duties till demob in west Hartlepool .

[@DinHamburg]

the film 'Malta Story' is here on KZbin

[@24602400]

At one time the Brits. only had 3 aircraft. They were called, Hope, Faith and Charity.

[@karlvongazenberg8398]

Actually they had severals but only 3 were airworthy for a long time. Not the same 3 aircraft, but why ruin a good story. Ooopps :)

[@benwilson6145]

@@karlvongazenberg8398 Gloster Gladiators

[@24602400]

I have been there, loved it!

[@matthewmoore5698]

they hired the Ohio I wouldn’t like to take that one back to the rental firm !

[@robertholland6012]

Great information

[@matthewmoore5698]

When I was a small kid in the 70s no end of kids went to Malta for holiday ,I suppose their relos had been there int the war , my sister went 5 or 6 years ago but she didn’t like it , different strokes for different folks the old adge

[@blueboats7530]

I often appreciate first person accounts, but I have doubts about the knowledge of that person who says the SS Ohio was carrying 100 octane aviation, it absolutely was not, and had it been it would have never got to Malta with all the bomb hits it took. Conversely, I've seen a first person interview with Admiral Lewin who who described the 100 octane as all being in 55 gallon drums on the decks of the freighters, it's one of the reasons so many freighters became fireballs after one bomb hit. The Ohio was carrying far less volatile bulk products such as furnace oil, diesel, and kerosene.

[@ArmouredCarriers]

Yes, there are limits to their knowledge. I try to capture their opinions of the situations, as well as their direct personal experience. Otherwise they often suffer from chinese whisper syndrome. Understandable.

[@dp-sr1fd]

You have a point, but how can Malta turn crude oil into high octane aviation fuel. Did they have oil refineries?

[@michaelevans205]

I'm operating from memory here......it's been a while since I read Captain Mason's (Ohio), account. But at one stage Ohio was being led by a destroyer (Ledbury?) following damage and in an effort to close back up to the convoy. The destroyer made towards a patch of burning water where, I think it might have been Waimarama, had blown up. Mason related that he had to use his megaphone to yell, 'For God's sake keep away from that, I'm oozing aviation spirit!' Ohio had a mixed cargo that included 100 octane. As part of the loading plan, all ships in the convoy were carrying at least some fuel in an attempt to ensure that the loss of the tanker would not be a total disaster for Malta.

[@orcstr8d]

I had read that some of the freighters in the convoy were taking large amounts of high octane fuel in tinny metal 5 gallon containers commonly referred to as a flimsy or flimsies. Nothing you’d want go be around when all hell is breaking loose. And I believe it was the fuel oil that really helped Malta and the greater war effort in keeping the sub fleet at Malta going and attacking German supplies to n Africa.

[@24602400]

Look up HMS Kelly.