Malta had another siege in WWII. From 1940-42, the fight for control of this strategic island pitted the Royal Air Force & Navy of GB against Nazi Germany & Fascist Italy. The Luftwaffe flew a total of 3000 bombing raids over Malta. The tide started turning in 1942. I've just started a book called "The Ship", a fascinating story about re-supplying the Allies. The Maltese have close ties with England. After Napoleon came, saw, & conquered in 1798, the Maltese suffered. Eventually the British took over with the Treaty of Paris in 1814. Malta got its independence in 1964, became a republic in 1974, & joined the EU in 2008.