The Great Siege of Malta

The soldiers of the Ottoman Empire were sent Sept. 11, 1565 in what became
known as "The Great Siege of Malta". They were humiliated and forced to
withdraw from what was supposed to be an epic campaign of conquest for the
greater glory of Allah, the Compassionate. Is it a coincidence that Islamic
terrorists have chosen the same date to destroy the Twin Towers in New York?
Let's start from the beginning. The Knights of St. John, or Hospitallier
knights were originally a religious order founded in the 12th century in
the Holy Land. Their mission was to care for pilgrims who entered the Holy
Land, and defend against any threat to the perilous road to Jerusalem. They
were religious as well as military, created under a papal charter, which
means they have responded to anyone but the pope.

Fast forward four centuries. The Knights always lead an endless struggle
against the forces of Islam. The Crusades were ancient history. People had
all but forgotten. The Knights of St. John were regarded as outdated relics
of a bygone era. Other levels of crusaders, like the Templars, had been
missing for over two centuries.
The Knights of St. John were forced to leave their fortress in Rhodes in
1522, and for some time homeless, until they claimed the island of Malta,
which was given to them by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, grand-son
Fernando of Aragon (the model for Machiavelli a rule in "the Prince").
Fernando had expelled the Moors from Spain after eight centuries of
invasion, and Charles V himself led a constant struggle against the
crescent and star.
The Grand Master of the Order of St John, Jean Parisot de la Valette, 71 at
the time. He had a personal interest against Muslims, having been a knight
since he was 18 years old, participating in battles against Islam
throughout his life. His family had served in five different Crusades, with
distinction, and he was raised with stories of their epic bravery. He had
been defeated and expelled from Rhodes years earlier, and had even been a
convict to Muslims for a year, rowing up to 20 hours a day, before escaping
and vowing revenge.

The Knights survived by raiding the trade routes of the Ottoman navy and
basically make life impossible for the Turks. Knights were hardened
warriors, great sailors, and the godly. Most of them were the 2nd or 3rd
son of the aristocracy, refined nobility without inheritance. They were
considered the most formidable fighting force in Europe, and were indeed
elite in every sense.
Suleiman Desire
Since its founding in the 7th century, Islam had wanted an achievement:
invade Europe. These primitive, barbaric desert remains had spent most of
their history killing each other until Mohammed united them against a
common enemy of Western civilization.
The Turkish leader, Suleiman "the Magnificent" was the most powerful man
alive. His empire was ridiculously large, from Vienna to Babylon all the
way to Aden, in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula. His titles
included vice-regent of God on earth, the Lord of the East and West Lords,
and even neck Possessor of men, for he beheaded nearly all who displeased
him. But alas, such a rule is not enough. He had set his sights on Europe,
and there was no force on earth powerful enough to stop it. Or so he
thought ...

The Knights of St. John had been a thorn in his side long enough. They were
massively effective for disabling the Turkish operations of their new home
in Malta, attacked Ottoman ships at sea. These Western pirates were led by
the intrepid Romegas, a legendary knight who joined the order at age 15,
and close friend of Valletta. Romegas was considered one of the greatest
sailors of his time. He took much booty and several prisoners of high rank
on his raids on the sea and Suleiman enough. He decided to crush the Order
of the Knights, once and for all.
Assemble a massive army of 48,000 men aboard 200 ships, including the
elite, scimitar wielding janissaries called "Invincible" and layalars
junkies who wore the skins of wild beasts in combat. Their only concern in
life was to kill Christians and die a glorious death to be able to enter
heaven and enjoy 72 virgins promised by their prophet.
Who was their opposition? A simple force of 700 knights, who watched over a
small barren island. Certainly they were no match for the vice-reactive of
God on Earth. In March 1565, the planned Muslim fleet, determined to
destroy the Western world and subjugate Europe under the heel of Islam
forever.
Alone and surrounded
Surely enough, the intelligence of Valletta he warned against the impending
Apocalypse, sailing quickly directly to him and his brave knights. He sent
messengers to all European kings, asking for help against the darkness
ahead. No answer except one: Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire. A bulwark
against Islam legendary Charles promised assistance if they could hold out
long enough. For now, it seemed, were the knights themselves.
The island of Malta were three main strongholds: The fortress of St.
Angelo, St. Michael and newly built St Elmo, on the peninsula of Mount
Sciberras. Both of them were solid structures, and even if they are nothing
compared to their original fortifications on the island of Rhodes, they
would have to do. Valletta has designed a strategy for better defense they
could, but the situation was quite dark knights.
Malta's fortifications
There were 700 knights defending the island, and about 8000 Maltese
soldiers. Valletta has vowed that there would be no retreat, no surrender.
They met in a final prayer and prepares to attack. It is said that after
the prayer, any weakness disappeared from their heart, and small
animosities them were dissolved. The power of faith has made its presence
felt.
Valletta, himself a man of deep faith, reportedly said:
It is the great battle of the Cross and the Qur'an is now fighting. A
formidable army of infidels are about to invade our island. We, for our
part, we are the chosen soldiers of the Cross, and if Heaven requires the
sacrifice of our lives, there is no better opportunity than this.
He knew it was not a fight he would win with brute force, if necessary.
Cunning, faith and courage to be its survival tools.

The Onslaught begins
The first attack by the Ottomans was St Elmo. artillery fire and relentless
waves of aggression against the Ottomans rained down on defenders. At 100
knights and 500 soldiers held the fort. They were ordered to fight to the
last man. The Turks were convinced that they could take the fort in three
days. Yet after weeks, the defenders were still struggling on.
The defenders were quite ingenious, and developed all kinds of incendiary
devices. They developed a primitive hand grenade made of a clay pot filled
with the famous Greek fire, a napalm-like substance. They threw these into
their opponents with devastating effects: the shrapnel would explode and
damage enemies by the dozen.
Knights invented large hoops of fire, wooden rings wrapped in layers of
flammable materials, such as brandy, turpentine, gunpowder, and the fabric,
they are ignited and be rolled downhill toward the Turks hundreds.
They also invented the Trump, a long hollow tube filled with flammable
sulfur resin and linseed oil which, when lit, will breathe fire several
meters away for as long as half an hour. Knights use these primitives to
strategic flamethrower of choke points, which will hold any advances by
attackers. The Turks wore long robes, to be fired was quite devastating for
them.

After weeks of fighting and bombarded the defenders were malnourished,
deprived of sleep, and disfigured as to be unrecognizable. Many were
seriously injured, limping and bandaged in improvised tissue, but their
conviction is unwavering. They have received reinforcements and supplies
from the main fort of Sant'Angelo, with the message of their Grand Master
fight to the death.
To make matters worse, the arrival of Drajut, known among his people
as "the sword of Islam" and "the scourge of the Christians," invigorated
Turkish forces. He brought another 1500 his elite warriors. The bombardment
continued, and the Turks kept trying to charge into the castle. Soon, a
cannon burst Drajut injured. He was dragged out of his tent. The sword of
Islam had met his end. Morale in the Turkish army began to falter.
Furious, Mustapha Pasha, commander now ordered the fort surrounded by all
the Turkish fleet. The biggest of their guns were moved forward, and the
defenders were pounded relentlessly. This brought together, said their
prayers, and defiantly spelled the end of the chapel for a last time. Those
who could not bear sat on chairs, well armed, their souls to their Lord
Jesus commended.

The Turks flocked and finally defenders were defeated. They were all
massacred and Red Crescent Suleiman was set up the flag of the Knights of
St. John. But they trembled because across the bay was larger and much more
impressive St Angelo. It took them four weeks to invade the smaller
fortress, and had lost about 10,000 men.
Terror Tactics
Mustapha Pasha knew he had to break the spirit of the defenders, because he
had seen how their bodies could resist. So he ordered the knight commanders
died as beheaded. Their heads were put on pikes, and their decapitated
bodies were sailed in the bay to the remaining defenders, attached to the
top of the crude wooden cross, a mockery of their faith. Valletta responded
in kind. He ordered the Turkish prisoners beheaded, and pulled his head
through the window with their biggest cannon. The message was clear: no
retreat, no surrender.
The bombing began. There were relentlessly shelling the fortress, and the
south side attack. The Turks were determined to take this small piece of
land. Mustapha was master planned: while the Christians were busy defending
the south side, ten large ships with 1,000 elite Janissaries would assault
the northern end, but Valletta had prepared for this eventuality. He left
Knight Guiral battery with a 5-gun at the base of the fort. He could hardly
believe his eyes that the Turks sailed right into his trap.
A perfect beach, he ordered his men to open fire. Nine of the 10 boats were
destroyed, 800 Janissaries sunk in water on site. One ship left, and the
frightened look in their eyes sent fear into the heart of Muslims. The
defenders opened the door and loaded on, and overwhelmed the attackers who
ran for their lives. St Angelo survived another day.
Mustapha surrounded the fortress, and continued to bombard Christians. For
over a week, all Turkish cannons thundered on defensive positions. The
shelling could be heard from Sicily, over 20 miles (100 km) away, and the
people there were amazed that any man could survive such a hell.

The Turks renewed their attack and flocked from all sides. The victory
would be theirs in the end, it would seem. They breached the walls, but
ended up on a second layer of fortifications. Cannon fire rained on them,
and they were locked in a very effective death trap. After some time,
residents were jumping their defensive positions and forced the Turks to
retreat. Again, they were defeated.
Many times the attackers breached the walls, but they have always been met
effectively to these funneling slaughtering areas, with a wall of sharp
organized Pikes and fire musket eager to greet them. Valletta grabbed his
spear and led the charge several times to repel the attackers. Despite his
advanced age, he was a brave and skilled fighter. The sight of their main
leader of the attack, has inspired the Knights to hold the wave after wave
of Turkish attackers on several occasions when all hope seemed lost.
God's will
The death toll was catastrophic for the Muslims. The disease was endemic in
their ranks, the corpses of friends and rotten enemies all around them.
Their supplies were short, including gunpowder. Over 130,000 cannonballs
were fired Maltese defenders in total. The summer heat was burning and the
water on the island had been poisoned by residents before retreating. Their
morale was fading. Rumors spread the commander of the tent, soldiers
whisper It is certainly not Allah's will that we take this forsaken island
& # 8221.
They tried all kinds of tricks to destroy the defenders. They tried to dig
tunnels, but the Knights collapsed mines of their own, and sent soldiers to
repel the charge of the tunnel.

Then Mustapha prepared its siege tower, a huge juggernaut, larger than even
the ramparts of the fortress, to invade. But Valletta ordered his men to
remove the stone from the base of the walls, and shot the tower with huge
guns, containing two cannon balls held together by a chain. The strategy
was overwhelmingly effective and completely destroyed the tower. Supporters
cheered by seeing the Turks by jumping from the craft collapse, oil and
spitting fire on their own ranks.
Winter was coming, and victory seemed nowhere in sight for attackers.
Mustapha ordered his men to take the walled city of Mdina neighbor. His
army was approaching, but was greeted by heavily armed soldiers manning the
walls of cannons. "A second St Elmo !! "Shouted the soldiers, in their
retirement. But that was all a ploy, the governor, sensing the turn of
events, ordered civilians, women and children, to man the walls, clad in
armor and carrying pikes.
In another attempt to destroy the attackers, the Turkish forces gathered a
huge bomb, packed with gunpowder and shot, and rolled in the Christian
positions. The latter replied, rolling the diabolical device back at them,
causing a spectacular explosion. Hundreds died.
The Knights did not show much tolerance with the Muslim invaders,
Hello
Finally, after all hope of salvation was gone from the heart of the
defense, a relief force was in sight. More than 10 000 men in 28 ships had
arrived; soldiers from all over Europe, inspired by the courage of these
knights had joined the fight. Even then, they were heavily outnumbered by
the Turks. Mustapha ordered his men to load against the relief force, but
they have been severely weakened after months of fighting and endemic
disease.
In the Pit style Helm, the Christian relief force loaded in the heart of
the Turkish army, completely destroying the Turks. It was a bloodbath;
Muslims were massacred, hunted throughout the island and picked off. They
scrambled to get on board their ships and leave. It was a landslide victory.
Of the 48,000 invaders who first put the veil to terrorize Europe, only
10,000 have come home. Knights suffered heavy losses, too, but
miraculously, the victory was theirs. Their sacrifice was immense; the
Western world owes these men more than we'll never know. If not for them,
Europe would have been converted long ago, and we would most likely Arabic
(and sodomized a young age).
Knights looking ramparts that their enemies are crushed
Both Romegas and Valletta survived the fighting. After the siege, the
knights were hailed throughout Europe and the hailed as heroes. They had
heard stories of their legendary exploits, load the face of seemingly
insurmountable obstacles, and were inspired. Many donations were made
knights, and with them, the citadel was built Valetta, in honor of the
Grand Master La Valette. The pope sent his best engineers and the city was
planned and designed as a solid fortress before it's time to defend
Christianity against future attacks.
Their victory had a profound impact throughout Europe. The local princes
realized that the only way to defeat Islam was to stop the war between them
and unite against the common threat. This has resulted in a large fighting
force than seven years later, the Turks crushed again at Lepanto, ending
the superiority of the Ottoman sea forever. Romegas was once again in the
front line of this battle.
Romegas died a few years later in Rome, after a life long struggle against
Islam at every turn. Valletta was offered the position of cardinal, but he
refused. The sword was the only way he had known all his life. He led the
Malta reconstruction and died a peaceful death, only a few years later in
1568. But the tales of their heroic acts would last for centuries to come.
This would come to be known as the last epic encounter between Crusaders
and Knights of Islam.
Victory
Conclusion
There are lessons to be learned from these events. It is said that those
who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it. Valletta and his
knights were considered obsolete fossil useless by their contemporaries.
Many people have met the Knights of St. John, but most made fun of their
traditions and way of life to the old.
But the Knights knew in their heart the truth. They did not let public
opinion sway their beliefs. They did not follow the rest of the civilized
world in the descent to ignorance, decadence and madness forgetting what it
is that makes us great. Their faith and their traditions were sacred to
them. They kept watch in silence for years, until fate has finally called.
I invite you, the reader colleagues to do the same. Forget political
correctness and opinions of the masses. Search your heart to the truth.
Meditate, you isolate is offline madness of the modern world. Take some
time for yourself, get in touch with nature, and in turn, your own nature.
Then you begin to see the truth. In the silence of your mind, you will find
the answers.
It took only 700 of these knights to save Europe. Now, Europe is
threatened, this time from the inside as well as foreign invaders. Maybe
there will be awake enough, pilled red souls to stem the barbarian invasion.
Let us prepare ourselves and we are strengthening. Maybe destiny call us
for the journey of a hero. Meanwhile, we'll see what we can do to preserve
our ancestral lands and traditions. Do not let the sacrifice of the brave
Malta to be in vain. Strong men are needed now more than ever.
Read more: Clash Of Steel and Wills: The story of the Battle of Lepanto