During wartime, the increase in propaganda in favour of the British Empire was important to keep the morale of the Maltese and Gozitan population high during such difficult times. This was also necessary so that the population would maintain its undivided loyalty towards the British Crown.

Only in this way could there be some assurance that the population would remain focused and resolute in their determination to win the Battle of Malta. Thus, all energy was dedicated towards defeating those who were threatening the very fabric of liberty and democracy in Europe and beyond.

It was also crucial to ensure the population's loyalty to the British Empire at the same level and perhaps even higher than it had been during the nearly 150 years of British rule in Malta. Despite all efforts, there were still large pockets of pro-Italian sentiment, not only in Malta but also on the sister island of Gozo.

On the other hand, the increase in propaganda poems and satirical verses written by Maltese individuals with suggestive titles such as Il-Jasar tal-Poplu Taljan, It-Tfal ta' Mussolini and Ix-Xebgħa kbira li qalgħu t-Taljani taħt għajnejn Mussolini, were issued and were gaining ground. This was perceived by the British authorities as a strong evidence that the Anglophile sentiment was strong. These small booklets were issued in spite of the scarcity of paper but it was essential to put in satirical humour that poked fun and ridiculed as much as possible both the Italian and German aggressors.

The Maltese Church, through the Curia joined the fray and was ordered to abide with regulations whereby all Church publications, notably pastoral letters and circulars, would no longer be published in the Italian language but in Maltese.

In light of the above context, the Second World War impacted all hymns in the Italian language to the point that only the music could be played, while the lyrics were no longer sung. Charles Bezzina went to great lengths and detail in his meticulous research to uncover these difficult to find hymns, which even though scarcity of paper resources was present, were still published during the war.

This pro-Italian sentiment also made its way to Gozo as hundreds of Maltese crossed the Gozo channel as refugees to find protection at a somehat safer distance from the heavy bombardments that were taking place over Malta. Among them were Maltese who sympathised strongly with Italy. These individuals met in groups in Gozo conversing favourably about Italy and expressing their disdain towards censorship of the Italian language. At one time, Gozo was described as an anti-British nest.

All Church hymns were being affected to the extent that whereas these had been sung in Italian during the feasts of Santa Marija and San Ġorġ as well as other feasts, the sudden change caused a stir among the population so much so that one can safely assume that the people suffered a quasi cultural shock in not hearing their favourite tunes sung in Italian any more.

Bezzina also mentions hymns that were translated into Latin to bypass and mitigate partially the Italian language prohibition. There is also mention by the author of two hymns in Latin, of which only 36 copies were published during the war, and which he was unable to find despite all his numerous efforts.

In this booklet, the author also includes the two hymns translated into Latin; one dedicated to San Ġorġ at Rabat, Gozo and another dedicated to Santa Margarita at Ta' Sannat, Gozo. The one dedicated to Santa Marija was not translated into Latin because the Banda Leone club's members did not agree to this.

The booklet is also richly illustrated with images and information on Maltese authors, poets and composers such as Maestro Crescimanno, Ramiro Barbaro di San Giorgio, Maestro Giuseppe Giardini Vella, and Professur Luigi Billion.

The booklet is small in size but the study within is packed with information that sheds useful and interesting light on the social dynamics of the contrasting pro-Italian and pro-British sentiments that were running high on the Maltese islands during the war. Indeed Bezzina has regaled us with yet another important research on Gozo. It is a highly recommended publication for those who also want to learn more about the war and how it stirred up the language issue.