As the Allied forces came under increasing pressure during the early stages of World War II, the tiny island of Malta assumed vital importance due to its strategic position in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. It was in a position to cut off Axis war supplies to North Africa and came under heavy bombardment by air during early 1942, while resupply convoys were relentlessly attacked at sea. Casualties were high. Helena P. Schrader has captured the drama to perfection in Voices on the Wind: Assault. The action alternates between the siege of Malta itself and the North Atlantic convoys, the latter enduring freezing temperatures, icy waters, and the ever-present U-boats. While the armed forces fought on with grim determination and limited resources, the population of Malta hid in shelters while their lives were disrupted and their beautiful homes and public buildings were destroyed. Food, fuel, clothing, and medical supplies were in short supply. The air force was low on fuel, ammunition, bombers, and the precious Spitfire fighters, so desperately needed to defend the island. The author describes the events through the eyes of four well-chosen protagonists who occupied different roles in the military and came from different social backgrounds. Romance was difficult, strained, or beyond reach, and yet in some cases, love somehow survived. Morale was low, particularly among the ill-equipped military. Despite this, bonds were formed, while friendships and camaraderie endured.

Based on historical events, Helena P. Schrader adds a human perspective to the drama that unfolded in the Mediterranean Sea at a critical period in World War II. This account highlights resilience during adversity. It describes the hardship and bravery from both military and civilian perspectives. The detailed and accurate descriptions of action in the air, on land, and at sea are highlights. The writing combines extensive research to provide an appreciation of the reality on the ground for readers. The tactics and weapons of the adversaries are also described with insight. The formative years of the main characters and their family ties are sketched in detail. Relationships were strained by distance and circumstance. It was a society in which the role of women was not fully appreciated, and the military had a rigid hierarchical structure where rank meant everything. Voices on the Wind: Assault provides a graphic account of war, from the embattled convoys to the constant attacks on Malta by a relentless enemy. This extraordinary piece of writing captures both the ethos of the era and the human conditions that flow from war. Maps are included, together with historical notes and a chronology. To readers like myself who enjoy military history, this work is exceptional and highly recommended.

Voices on the Wind: Assault by Helena P. Schrader takes the reader to Malta during World War II. It is 1942, and the fortress island is being relentlessly bombed by the German air force. There is danger too from the seas as U-boats prowl the waters of the Mediterranean. Italians in Sicily, part of the Axis group, are also a danger. Strategically placed, Malta is vital to the Allies, guarding the sea lanes from Gibraltar to Alexandria. Choosing four central figures, based on real-life people, Schrader weaves a fascinating tale. She takes the reader sailing on a merchant ship in the Atlantic, a female cypher sent to Malta, a senior officer overseeing strategy, and a fighter pilot who works with the reconnaissance sorties. Life on Malta at the time was desperate. Food, fuel, and essentials are in very short supply. Few of the planes are airworthy, and the lack of spare parts exacerbates the situation. The island lies defenceless, and rumors are that maybe it should surrender to the Axis powers.

What an interesting book. Voices on the Wind: Assault by Helena P. Schrader is the first book of two, and tells the fantastic but harrowing story of Malta’s struggle during World War II. With extensive research, the author brings the characters and scenes to life with vivid scenes and pinpoint clarity. This is the first book that has taken me aboard a merchant ship, a lifeboat at sea, and a bombing raid depicted so clearly that I was there with the characters. Based on historical accounts and records, the fictional heroes and a heroine were so well drawn that you cared about them. The horrors of war are stark and honest, illustrating the devastation and deprivation that war brings to a population. Yet, shining through is the warmth and hospitality of the people who so deservedly were awarded the George Cross by King George VI, the Commonwealth's highest civilian decoration for gallantry.