*Editorial Book Review*
(A Novel of Malta in WWII, Part I — Assault)
By Helena P. Schrader
Publisher: Cross Seas Press
Page Length: 734
Genre: Historical Fiction / WWII
Early 1942: the fate of the Suez Canal and access to Middle East oil hangs on the fate of an island just 17 miles long by 9 miles wide: Malta.
Determined to destroy the British forces threatening Rommel’s supply lines, the Axis powers drop more bombs on Malta than London endured throughout the Blitz. The population is forced underground, while the RAF struggles with inadequate resources to fend off defeat. Meanwhile, Britain’s Atlantic lifeline is fraying....
Voices on the Wind follows the fate of four of Malta’s defenders: Senior Intelligence Officer and former Battle of Britain ace, W/Cdr “Robin” Priestman; WAAF SigInt Officer Candice Weld, sent out from Bletchley Park to “man” the only X-machine outside the UK; F/O “Ned” Nettleton, a Beaufort torpedo bomber pilot engaged in suicidal attacks against enemy shipping; and Chief Officer Stevie Mackay of the British Merchant Navy, fighting to keep Britain’s own lines of supply open.
As war rages both close to home and in lands far away, the daily sound of aircraft flying overhead becomes commonplace for many. For the people of Malta, however, the sound of aircraft invariably heralds bombs raining down upon them every single day. Any respite from the assault is fleeting, never long enough to complete the repairs necessary for continued survival and resistance.
Malta desperately needs more aircraft — planes capable of standing up to the Luftwaffe, machines that can prove to the Germans and Italians that Malta is not a worthless island to be easily snuffed out. Yet Spitfires are a rare sight on Malta, and getting them there is no easy feat. Through a collective of narrators working in different areas of the war effort, mainly in and around Malta, "Voices on the Wind" by Helena P. Schrader explores a frequently overlooked aspect of history, delving into the defence of Malta during the Second World War.
Robin Priestman finds himself flying a Spitfire into Malta, only to quickly discover that this alone does not solve the island’s problems. The issue soon shifts — while it is possible to deliver Spitfires to Malta, the island is dangerously short of supplies, fuel, spare parts, and morale. Aircraft may arrive safely, but keeping them operational when there is neither time nor equipment prepared for refuelling or storage often leads to their destruction soon after reaching Malta’s runways. Robin has a daunting task ahead of him. Keeping Malta in the war is difficult enough under the relentless bombardment of the Luftwaffe, yet the people of Malta are nearing breaking point. Schrader does an excellent job of conveying the desperation and collapse of morale across the island. A bitter sense of hopelessness permeates the novel as Malta’s runways are repeatedly targeted and aircraft struggle simply to survive. The novel powerfully portrays the dejection experienced both by native Maltese citizens and by those who arrive to help defend them.
Malta often saw pilots land only to find themselves stranded without an aircraft left to fly. With more pilots than serviceable aircraft available, Edward “Ned” Nettleton counts himself fortunate to be consistently called upon for missions while others wait for planes to be declared airworthy. Despite having little experience with torpedo bombers, Ned throws himself wholeheartedly into flying the Beauforts, carrying out missions to the best of his ability while striving to keep his crew safe. Ned is a compelling character who provides some of the novel’s most thrilling aerial combat scenes, where survival is far from guaranteed — especially against the German Me 109s, which vastly outmanoeuvre the sluggish Beauforts assigned to him.
One particularly interesting aspect of the novel is Ned’s meeting with Adrian Warburton, known as Warby. The inclusion of this historical figure adds both authenticity and humour. Warby was instrumental in Malta’s reconnaissance operations, though his attitude towards flying frequently landed him in trouble. As Ned flies alongside him, several scenes adopt a lighter tone despite the danger surrounding them, for although Warby is exceptionally talented, he is also reckless and not especially skilled at landing aircraft. Through its various pilots and aircrew, the novel delivers a detailed and immersive depiction of the overwhelming odds Malta faced under the Luftwaffe’s relentless assault.
Another noteworthy character is Candice Weld, who is transferred to Malta after distinguished work decoding enemy communications earns her a promotion and greater responsibility. Joining Robin, Candice is introduced to “Boniface”, a Type X decoding machine used to decipher German codes, and begins working to uncover enemy plans before they can lead to Malta’s destruction. Candice is an exceptionally well-rounded character. She is not without fear, and with air raids a constant reality, she gradually develops a dread of the rumble of aircraft overhead and the vibrations of bombs striking the ground around her. This fear only makes her feel more human, and as the narrators interact and form friendships and bonds, Candice demonstrates just how hard she has worked to earn her position in a role where women are often assumed to be less capable than their male counterparts. She is a strong female lead, and I found myself admiring her determination and work ethic as she devotes herself entirely to her duties despite the fear she faces daily.
The novel follows several perspectives, many belonging to those fighting to ensure Malta’s continued survival in the war, albeit in very different ways. Slightly removed from Malta itself is Stephen “Stevie” Mackay aboard the merchant ship Clan Sinclair. Stevie contributes to the war effort not through combat, but through the dangerous task of transporting supplies across enemy-controlled waters. With U-boats lurking beneath the waves and violent storms raging overhead, Stevie’s work is never easy, yet he approaches it with unwavering dedication and immense pride in both his ship and crew. Stevie was instantly one of the most appealing characters for me, thanks to his admirable work ethic and willingness to help whenever needed. His storyline offers a different perspective on the war, demonstrating that heroism extended beyond the Army, Navy, and RAF. Those responsible for delivering fuel, supplies, and rations through hostile territory played an equally vital role in Allied operations.
There are many moments in this novel that leave the reader on the edge of their seat, with danger and action constantly surrounding characters you quickly grow to care about. This is the sort of novel that completely immerses you, drawing you deeply into the lives of its characters and leaving you desperately hoping they will survive. Because of this emotional investment, the ending arrives rather abruptly. The momentum and intensity leading towards the conclusion compel you to keep reading, and rather than offering a neatly tied-up ending, the novel leaves the reader hanging on its final words and immediately searching for the next instalment.
"Voices on the Wind (A Novel of Malta in WWII, Part I — Assault)" by Helena P. Schrader is not a novel that can easily be forgotten. It is moving, exciting, and utterly captivating, lingering in the mind long after the final page. The characters and setting are rendered with such intricate detail that the entire story feels vividly real. Although certain historical details have been altered for the sake of the narrative, the novel nevertheless provides an engrossing and highly realistic portrayal of Malta’s desperate situation during the Second World War and the immense efforts undertaken to defend it.
The Coffee Pot Book Club
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