{"product_id":"victory-at-sea-ss-ohio-tanker","title":"Victory at Sea: Merchant Vessels - SS Ohio tanker","description":"\u003ch2\u003eVictory at Sea: SS Ohio tanker\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOil proved to be the life blood for nations and their armed forces, and thus oil tankers often represented the single most important ships within convoys. SS Ohio is arguably the best-known merchant vessel of WWII, largely due to its role in Operation Pedestal where it is believed to have saved Malta from falling into Axis hands with its vital supply of much-needed oil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOperation Pedestal:\u003c\/strong\u003e The island of Malta suffered greatly during the early part of the war. Though only a small island, barely 17 miles long, its position in the centre of the Mediterranean made it strategically vital as a British base. In secrecy, a relief convoy was planned, Operation Pedestal. It was intended to be the biggest and most heavily armed convoy put to sea. All available resources were committed, making it a real all-or-nothing operation. Central to this was the SS Ohio, an American tanker with a British merchant mariner for a master, Captain Dudley Mason. This ship was the biggest tanker of the day, displacing 9,000 tons, and yet was also the fastest; more importantly, it could carry enough fuel to keep Malta fighting for months. Refitted at Glasgow, the Ohio was armed with anti-aircraft guns and its sides fitted with armoured plates to withstand torpedoes, all designed to get the ship through the most dangerous thousand miles of sea. Joined by thirteen other merchant ships and nearly 60 warships, the Ohio started the voyage from Gibraltar to Malta on August 10.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhilst only five of the fourteen merchant vessels that made up the convoy reached Grand Harbour due to the relentless efforts of the Luftwaffe and Regia Marina, it was a strategic victory nonetheless. Operation Pedestal was not the success that had been planned, but it brought enough supplies to keep Malta fighting and ensure the island would not be forced to surrender due to starvation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis vessel was previously only available as part of the Merchant Convoy box set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"\u003eModels supplied unassembled and unpainted\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Warlord Games\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGame System:\u003c\/strong\u003e Victory at Sea\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFaction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Merchant Vessels\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eStock Information\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf this item is not currently in stock at time of order, we will order it for you as a \u003cstrong\u003eDirect Order\u003c\/strong\u003e from Warlord Games.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDirect Order items are sourced directly from the manufacturer on your behalf. Delivery times may be longer than standard in-stock items and can vary depending on supplier availability.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e If your order includes a Direct Order item, these items may ship separately from in-stock products.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Warlord Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57784927617405,"sku":"745102025","price":11.2,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5162\/3999\/files\/745102025_VaS_SSOhioTanker01_d1591f67-6377-46eb-adb3-1bb01908747f.jpg?v=1779215663","url":"https:\/\/battlecitygames.co.uk\/products\/victory-at-sea-ss-ohio-tanker","provider":"Battle City Games","version":"1.0","type":"link"}