This is the second article in a two-part series. Read part one. Author Robert A. Bonner’s book, The Ardwick Boys Went to Malta, contains some curious fragments of information on the desperate food situation in Malta. In July 1942, just a month before the fabled and providential Santa Maria convoy, hardly any merchant ships carrying supplies was managing to run the gauntlet and reach the island safely. Stocks of foodstuffs dwindled dangerously, to the point that surrender to famine started appearing, at first a possibility and then a probability. Rations to service personnel were drastically reduced. These were entitled daily to 12 ounces of bread, nine ounces of meat and vegetables, eight ounces lentils, 1½ ounces tinned sausage, one ounce tinned cheese, tinned milk, sugar and margarine, ½ ounce salt, pepper, jam and herrings. On some days, special treats of two ounces of tinned fruit and two ounces of chocolate twice a month were added. Occasionally, eight ounces of tinned meat – corned beef – replaced the meat and vegetables. Potatoes became virtually unobtainable. On September 8, 1942, the ‘war diary’ of the Ardwicks recorded an extraordinary highlight: “First meal of...
