On April 15, 1958 the Malta postal authorities issued a set of three stamps commemorating the bestowal of the George Cross on the Island; the values were 1'/2., 3d. and Is. The 3d. stamp shows the attack made on Malta on the night of July 25/26, 1941 by the 10th Mas Flotilla of the Italian Navy. The attack was set up by two 2-man guided torpedoes called by the Italians "miale," designed to break the defence booms at the harbour entrance while eight barchini (small explosives-carrying motor boats), escorted to the Island by the fast guardship Diana and by Mas 451 and Mas 452, were to hurl themselves through the gap immediately after the explosion in order to do as much damage as possible to the warships in the port. Although an explosion did destroy harbour fittings and damaged the swing-bridge seen on the stamp, the attack was a failure for the element of surprise was missing. The Italian vessels' movements were followed by radar and a terrific fire was launched at them. All the Italian craft excepting one were blown up. The remaining boat under the command of Comm. Giobbe turned back when he perceived the attack had failed. Only three survivors came through the action. It was a brave attempt carried out by gallant men and Malta commemorates the heroism of the enemy as it honours those who defended the base at Valletta. The barchini seen on the stamp were smaller vessels than the M.A.S., and were in effect assault motor-boats, styled M.T.M. (Motoscafo Turismo Modificato). Each displaced 1.5 tons, had a speed of 33 knots, with the stem charged with 300 ks. of explosives. They were guided to their target, the crew leaving the vessel about 100 m. from the objective after jamming the rudder. The charge did not explode on contact but after the sinking stem had reached some feet in depth. This type of craft caused great damage on March 26, 1941 at Suda Bay when four of them attacked H.M.S, York and sank two merchant ships.
SG290, Sea Breezes 11/59