Award of the George Cross to Malta The George Cross was awarded to the island of Malta by King George VI of the United Kingdom in a letter dated 15 April 1942 to the island ' s Governor Lieutenant - General Sir William Dobbie , so as to " bear witness to the heroism and devotion of its people " during the great siege it underwent in the early parts of World War II . The George Cross is woven into the Flag of Malta and can be seen wherever the flag is flown . Historical background . While Italian and German bombers brought havoc to the Maltese islands , the problem of supplies was soon felt . An invasion threat in July 1941 ended in complete failure when coast defenders spotted torpedo boats of the Italian Decima MAS special forces . Whilst people suffered hunger , a final assault to neutralise the island was ordered by the German Field Marshal Albert Kesselring . However , the people ' s heroism withstood every attack . On 15 April 1942 King George VI awarded the George Cross to the people of Malta in appreciation of their heroism . The George Cross was awarded during the worst period for the Allies during the Second World War , as the Axis - force clearly appeared to have the upper hand . German planes were striking the island around the clock , day and night , with an incredible amount of bombs and munitions in an attempt to neutralise the British bases in Malta , since these were constantly getting in the way of their naval attempts to supply Rommel ' s North African campaign . Malta ' s geographic position , wedged as it is between Italy and North Africa , as well as dividing the Mediterranean basin into east and west put the islands in heavy danger . Malta - based British aircraft could reach as far as Tripoli in Libya to the south , Tunisia to the west and right over German bases in Italy ; on Pantelleria , Sicily and even as far as the port of Naples farther to the north . Thus , standing right on the route of Italian convoys supplying Rommel ' s Afrika Korps . At the time of the George Cross award , military resources and food rations in Malta were practically finished . Fuel was restricted to military action and heavily rationed , the population was on the brink of starvation , and even ammunition was running out , so much that Anti - Aircraft ( AA ) guns could only fire a few rounds per day . Italian battleships of the Regia Marina out - gunned the British , yet the Royal Navy was far from out - classed . The German airforce had superior aircraft until late in the day , when Spitfire s were finally sent to Malta . Also at this time , German and Italian strategists were planning Operation Herkules , a sea and air invasion of the Maltese Islands , an effort continuously postponed — until it was too late , because the Maltese Islands finally received their vital supply of fuel , food and munitions . On 15 August 1942 , on the feast of Santa Maria , a convoy of Royal and Merchant Navy ships made port at Valletta ' s Grand Harbour , after completing one of the most heroic maritime episodes in recent history . To - date , this event remains commemorated in Malta in remembrance of that gift from heaven , the Convoy of Santa Maria , and all the men who lived and died in this and previous attempts to bring supplies to Malta . The George Cross Award . The George Cross was instituted by George VI on 24 September 1940 , replacing the Empire Gallantry Medal . It is the civilian equivalent to the Victoria Cross . While intended mainly for civilians , it is awarded also to certain fighting services , confined however to actions for which purely military honours are not normally given . This medal is awarded only for acts of the greatest heroism or the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger . Awarded to Malta . One of only two collective awards of the George Cross was the award to Malta . This award was made by King George VI to the Governor of Malta by letter dated 15 April 1942 : Lieutenant - General Sir William Dobbie answered : By God ' s help Malta will not weaken but will endure until victory is won . Today . The Cross and the King ' s message are today found in the War Museum in Fort Saint Elmo , Valletta . The fortitude of the population under sustained enemy air raids and a naval blockade which almost saw them starved into submission , won widespread admiration in Britain and other Allied nations . Some historians argue that the award could have been a propaganda gesture to justify the huge losses sustained by Britain to prevent Malta from capitulating as Singapore had done in the Battle of Singapore . Harrods flew the Maltese flag at the world - renowned store , marking Malta ’ s 70th anniversary as a George Cross Island from the 1 to 28 March 2012 .