I think he knew what he had done - consigned others, frankly, to early deaths, by instituting this monstrosity. You could read it on his face when he got to Malta. It's as plain as day. Travis first posted the pic I saw of it (first for me, anyways).
![](https://seeingredaz.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/john_roberts_malta_ap_photo_azzopardi1.jpg?w=300&h=168)