A BACKGROUND HISTORY

In 1565 Malta was the key to Europe. The Ottoman Empire had
extended its control over most of the Mediterranean. If the island of 
Malta could be captured, it could become the staging port for the 
invasion of "the soft under-belly of Europe."

Holding the key were the Knights of St. John and the people of Malta. 
The Turks had driven the Knights from Rhodes and now sought to 
drive them from Malta... in one extraordinary battle... 
THE GREAT SIEGE OF MALTA.

The harbours that defied the Ottoman forces are just as impregnable 
today. And the Mediterranean, under its ancient sky, is as blue as it 
was when cut by the bows of the Ottoman galleys.

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