This is a detailed account of the air war based around Malta during the long siege of the island, giving a more balanced picture of the island’s role than is normally the case.

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History of War

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WWII History, August 2019

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Warship World

...well-told story about a small but vital island that fought tenaciously in World War II.

Indy Squadron Dispatch

The author has written over forty books about air campaigns and operations during the Second World War. The title of this book explains its content. There are six chapters, the first being the introduction, and the other five periods of the war as it affected Malta from June 1940 until November 1942. There are six appendices, providing information on aspects of the campaign during the same period.

The book provides a chronological account of the events in respect of the air war over Malta and central Mediterranean during these two years. It covers the fighters, maritime-strike aircraft, photo-reconnaissance and bombers that operated from Malta. As such, the narrative can jump from one aspect of air operations to another, which I found a little distracting. In addition, as a reader, I sometimes found myself moving forwards in time, and then returning to an earlier date, which confused me occasionally.

This should not distract from the overall intention of the book, namely to provide an account of the differing elements of the R.A.F. units based on Malta during this critical period. I am undecided whether it would have been better to separate out the elements and units more, but on the other hand, all aspects were interconnected, and to a degree interdependent, which adds strength to this book. I am pleased that the maritime-strike, photo-reconnaissance and bombing operations are covered well. In my humble opinion, they tend to be neglected against the land operations in the Western Desert, but to me, the victory at El Alamein was actually won at sea, by the aircraft and submarines operating from Malta. Your view may differ, I accept. I am disappointed, however, that the Detachment from No. 235 Squadron that was based on Malta in June to August 1942 appears to be missing from the Order of Battle in Appendix ‘D’, and that this detachment formed the main strength of the new No.227 Squadron.

Overall, it is well written and well-illustrated. I found it a fitting tribute to the personnel who served on Malta, and it does provide a good account of this important aspect of the Second World War in the Mediterranean

British Military History - Rob Palmer, M.A.

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Digital Digging

★★★★★ In short, this is a great story well told and I congratulate both author and publisher for a job well done.

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Ned Middleton, Amazon Reviewer

The only community to ever receive the George Cross has inevitably built up a few myths and legends. From 1940 to 1942, the island withstood heavy enemy air attack, not only survived but made a significant contribution to the defeat of the Axis in North Africa and supported the invasion and surrender of Italy – Very Highly recommended.

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