WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk The Siege Of Malta: Britain's Submarine Ace (Part 2)
Oct 30, 2025
Explore Malta's immense strategic significance in WWII as hosts discuss how British forces disrupted Axis plans. Delve into the gripping tales of HMS Upholder, renowned for its daring actions against enemy convoys. The impact of Luftwaffe raids and the bravery of pilots like Adrian Warburton highlight the challenges faced. Experience life under siege in Malta, from civilian hardships to the triumphs of Royal Navy submarines. Discover how these efforts critically shifted the balance in the Mediterranean theater.
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Cipher Clerk Survives Shelter Collapse
- Suzanne Polby chose to stay in Malta as a cipher clerk and endured terrifying sheltering and rubble-blocked exits during raids.
- She recalled using willpower to quell fear and nearly suffocating before rescue cleared rubble.
Hurricane's Fatal Climb Weakness
- Hurricanes lacked climb rate to intercept high-altitude attackers coming from Sicily, making them ill-suited for Malta's defence.
- This limitation left Malta vulnerable until faster fighters could be provided.
Get Close And Calculate Precisely
- Submarine commanders must calculate range, target size, and director angle precisely under rough conditions.
- Close-range attacks (around 2,000 yards or closer) increase hit probability amid limited torpedoes.