During the dark days of WW2 Malta became the lynchpin of the Allied campaign in the Mediterranean & North African theatres & a vital base from which to attack Axis convoys supplying Rommel's Panzer Armee in Libya. Malta was however extremely difficult to keep supplied (particularly with oil) & by the summer of 1942 the Island was close to surrender; the Pedestal convoy of august that year was literally the last chance.rnrn On entering the Mediterranean the convoy was subjected to prolonged ferocious air & submarine attacks & suffered terrific losses both in warship escorts & merchantmen. OHIO being the only tanker was marked for particular attention & during the course of her voyage suffered a direct hit from a torpedo direct bomb hits any number of near-misses & was struck by two Luftwaffe aircraft shot down while attacking her. Despite her engines being dead & her hull practically broken in two she was towed into Grand Harbour by three destroyers & a minesweeper with her vital cargo virtually intact.