Malta Spitfire Aces (A-o-t-A #83)

The siege of Malta during World War 2 is one of the great epics of aerial warfare. In 1942, it was described alternately as both a 'fighter pilot's paradise' and 'the most bombed place on earth'. During the peak of the Axis efforts against Malta, it suffered 154 consecutive days and nights of bombing, 100 nights more that London suffered during the Blitz. The destruction of Axis convoys by Malta-based aircraft proved to be one of the decisive factors in the defeat of Rommel's forces in North Africa. This vital position would have been lost if it had not been for the successful defence of the island by a handful of greatly outnumbered Royal Air Force fighter squadrons. In the brutal and unforgiving air war over Malta only the very best fighter pilots succeeded, and all too often that was no guarantee of living another day. This book details the heroic story of the Spitfire Aces based on Malta. Drawn from an international team of Australians, British, Canadians, New Zealanders, Rhodesians and South Africans these pilots fought against extreme deprivation, physical hardships and overwhelming odds in one of the most crucial and decisive air battles of World War II. "Surveys the reign of ... one of the premier fighters of World War II ...during one of the most decisive air battles of the war." -"California Bookwatch, "November 2008."..the book tells the story of a small group of fighter pilots that battled the enemy while bomber and torpedo aircraft attacked and destroyed Axis convoys on their way to supply Rommel's forces in North Africa -- a decisive factor in the defeat of the famous German commander." -"Air Classics""The book is jammed with first hand stories, period photographs and the excellent profile work of the author, Steve Nichols. It is an outstanding book in the series and is one of the best 'Aircraft of the Aces' books that I have read." Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (September 2008)