Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Malta assumes a role of major importance in World War 2/Chapter 2 US Navy aircraft carrier USS Wasp delivers 46 Spitfires and Nos 601 and 603 Sqns to Malta on 20 April 1942/Chapter 3 Operation Pedestal delivers desperately needed supplies to the island/Chapter 4 The Axis Air Forces make a last bid for air supremacy over/Chapter 5 Short career summaries of the leading Spitfire aces on Malta/Appendices

Promotional Information

A unique and detailed study of the dramatic fighting in the skies over Malta in World War 2.

About the Author

Steve Nichols has been an avid wartime aviation buff, artist and modeler since childhood. This book is the culmination of many years researching the RAF in World War 2, and in particular its involvement in the siege of Malta. A member of the Bomber Command Association and the Eighth Air Force Historical Society, Steve was writer, illustrator and historical consultant on two award-winning documentaries on the United States Eighth Army Air Force. He currently lives in Kansas City, Missouri, where he teaches High School History and Art, and also works as a freelance illustrator/graphic designer. This is his first book for Osprey.

Reviews

"...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) "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)