Malta was a strategic island during the Second World War. It occupied a place in the narrowest part of the Mediterranean and was in a position to interdict Axis shipping lanes in the region. It was also a rocky aircraft carrier with three airfields from whence the British could launch attacks on Sicily and the Italian Fleet in Naples, and provided the Royal Navy with an excellant base and dockyard at Valleta - the island's capital. In short, Malta was a thorn in the enemy's side, and the Italian leader, Benito Mussolini was determined to take the island for his own, and in June 1940, he had the men and the machines to do it. But Mussolini (and later the Germans) had badly underestmated the fighting spirit of British and the battle for Malta would rage for two years, before ending in a brilliant allied victory.

Author's Notes: The maltese air campaign was one of the most unique and intensive air battle of the war. It was one of the few conflicts in the which the allied pilots matched the scores of the Germans. The campaign was also noted for the several highs and lows. There were many times when the island tottered perilously close to defeat, but on each occasion, the defenders showed that courage and perseverence could win the day.