[Antoninus]

454 years ago, the Great Siege of Malta commenced. If not for the heroism of the few men defending the island against the Turks, all of Italy and even more of Christian Europe may have fallen to Islam.

It is sad to note that the sacrifice of these brave men is forgotten today, particularly in the very European nations that they saved from the Sultan's yoke.

If you have never read Angels in Iron you owe it to yourself to do so. Makes for outstanding summer reading!

[grey_whiskers]

+1

[Shark24]

Agree! Thanks for the reminder.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

The Knights Hospitaller	The Ottomans
500 Knights Hospitaller	6,000 Spahis (cavalry)
400 Spanish soldiers	500 Spahis from Karamania
800 Italian soldiers	6,000 Janissaries
500 soldiers from the galleys (Spanish Empire)	400 adventurers from Mytiline
200 Greek and Sicilian soldiers	2,500 Spahis from Rumelia
100 soldiers of the garrison of Fort St. Elmo	3,500 adventurers from Rumelia
100 servants of the knights	4,000 "religious servants"
500 galley slaves	6,000 other volunteers
3,000 soldiers drawn from the Maltese population	Various corsairs from Tripoli and Algiers
Total: 6,100	Total: 28,500 from the East, 40,000 in all

[AnalogReigns]

The Hospitallars, or the Knights of the Order of the Hospital of St. John the Baptist in Jerusalem, similar to the Knights Templar, were utterly incredible for their bravery and effectiveness.

This same group had already defended Rhodes, against overwhelming odds (and been let survive, after being defeated, so impressed were the Muslims of their bravery.)

The Order, now a group of charity organizations (Roman Catholic and Protestant) exists to this day:

[BobL]

They didn’t let women vote back then. The invaders today STILL do not let women vote - but the ‘invaded’ do.

[Antoninus]

Siege of Malta ping.

[karnage]

One of the great stands in history.

[LS]

For almost 7 years I had the book rights to this to turn it into a film. This year I finally could not afford them any longer.

But I do have a pretty good screenplay from “Angel in Iron” that I hope one day to turn into a movie and get Nick Prata paid for a film.

[Antoninus]

Bump to the top. History Ping.