Maltese-Canadian Family Uncovers WWII Art Link

Imagine stumbling upon a forgotten painting in your attic, only to discover it’s the work of a German prisoner of war who once called Malta home, albeit briefly and under duress. This is precisely what happened to the Zammit family from St. Julian’s, who recently unearthed a fascinating piece of Malta’s World War II history.

Tucked away in a dusty corner of their home, the family found two intricate frames, each bearing the inscription “Feldpostnummer 35154.” This cryptic marking led them on a journey that would connect them with a man named Otto H. Müller, a German soldier who passed through Malta during the war.

The Zammit family, with roots tracing back to the small island nation, now resides in Toronto, Canada. Their Maltese heritage has always been a significant part of their identity, making the discovery of the frames all the more intriguing. The family’s matriarch, Maria Zammit, recalls her father telling stories of the war and the German prisoners who were housed in the family’s home in Birkirkara during the conflict.

“My father used to tell us about the German soldiers who stayed with us,” Maria remembers. “He would describe how they would sit in our courtyard, carving these intricate frames and other wooden trinkets to pass the time.”

With the help of local historian and author Dr. Anthony Borg, the family began to piece together the story behind the frames. Dr. Borg discovered that Feldpostnummer 35154 was a German military postal number used during World War II. Further research led them to Otto H. Müller, a soldier who had passed through Malta in 1942.

Müller, it turns out, was a skilled woodcarver and artist. His work, including the frames found by the Zammit family, is a testament to the resilience and creativity of the human spirit, even in the face of adversity. The frames, now restored and displayed proudly in the Zammit home, serve as a poignant reminder of Malta’s role in the war and the unexpected connections that can span continents and generations.

“It’s incredible to think that these frames have traveled from Malta to Canada, carrying with them a piece of our history and a connection to a man we never knew,” says Maria. “It’s a reminder that even in the darkest times, art and creativity can endure and bring people together.”