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.
NAME: Malta Strikes Back, The Role of Malta in the Mediterranean Theatre 1940-1942 FILE: R2622 AUTHOR: Ken Delve PUBLISHER: Pen & Sword BINDING:hard back PAGES: 261 PRICE: £25.00 GENRE: Non Fiction SUBJECT: WWII, World War II, World War 2, Second World War, German attacks, Italian attacks, island fortress, air war, aerial bombing, fast patrol craft, fighters, Faith, Hope, Charity, Sea Gladiator, convoys, Beaufort, Beaufighter, Blenheim, Hurricane, Spitfire ISBN: 1-47389-244-9 IMAGE: B2622.jpg BUYNOW: http://tinyurl.com/y8cujmc8 LINKS: DESCRIPTION: 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. The author has produced a very readable account that is also one of the most comprehensive to appear in print. His review is very fair and dispels some of the inevitable myths that have circulated. In the early days, the Sea Gladiator biplanes that were found in crates on the island were pressed into service and were flown effectively and with great determination against massive enemy air formations. Their military achievement may not have been significant but it was an enormous boost to morale. It also demonstrated to the enemy that the island would fight on to the end against all odds, seriously denting the enemy morale. As Hurricanes and Spitfires were delivered to the island by the determined Malta convoys that sailed under virtually continual submarine, surface ship and aircraft attack, the defences increased and accounted for a mounting tally of enemy aircraft. However, Malta did not just defend, but attacked with increasing effectiveness. The RN surface vessel numbers based in Malta varied with the intensity of enemy air attack, but there was a continuing presence of fast attack craft and submarines that interdicted the supply convoys from Italy and Sicily to North Africa. The air attack force also increased and the Beaufort and Beaufighter attack planes made life very dangerous and costly for the ships in convoy to North Africa. Some have said that the victory in North Africa would not have been possible without Malta's attack force. The main body of the book provides a descriptive review with images embedded in the body of the book, including photographs and maps. There are also some very informative appendices, making this work comprehensive and impressive.