[pepsi_junkie]

The book “Angels in Iron” is a good fictional telling of the seige of Malta by the forces of Sulleiman the magnificent of the Turks in the 1650s. To read what those few Knights Hospitaller endured to be the last bastion of defense against an all out invasion of Europe is simply amazing.

[mware]

During WW2 the people of Malta were awarded the George Cross by the UK for their heroism and courage during the sustained bombing of their island nation.

I believe it was the only time such an award was given.