All out for victory : Gozo's socio-economic experience during World War II, 1939-1945

Abstract

The main scope of this study is to show how Gozitan society was affected during the Second World War, what role Gozo played in this war and the impact the latter had on the island. Gozo, the sister-island of Malta, was not the main attraction of the Axis' attacks. Until 1943, when an airfield was built, it had no military installations. It received sporadic attacks by enemy planes which made it much safer to stay in compared with Malta during the war. This led to an influx of Maltese refugees who went to Gozo in order to escape the devastation and constant attacks that went on in Malta. Largely based on agriculture, Gozo contributed in supplying the main island with food. It had its own shelters in which people, amongst them Maltese refugees, sought refuge during air attacks. The war made itself felt on both islands, although to a lesser extent on Gozo. Hunger, death, fear and illnesses all were present in Malta and in Gozo.