In the Second World War, Malta was besieged for nearly two and a half
years, during which time a decisive air war was waged between Britain,
Italy and Germany.
This is part of that story, from the early days in June 1940, when only
a few Gladiator biplanes were available to combat Italian bombers and
fighters, to the intervention of the Luftwaffe and the tenuous defense
by outclassed Hurricanes, culminating in the desperate months of
fighting following the arrival on Malta of the Spitfire in March 1942.
What became of the many aircraft destroyed over the Maltese Islands, and
what was the fate of their pilots and crews?
More than a thousand aircraft were lost. Many crashed into the
Mediterranean; others came down on Malta and the neighboring island of
Gozo. This book focuses on the latter - some 200 British, Italian and
German machines, and the fate of their pilots and crews. It reveals
where those airplanes fell, thus providing a record that will continue
to be valued by future generations.
This comprehensive volume documents all known aircraft crash sites in
and around the Maltese Islands and provides the circumstances of each
loss are related in detail with accounts from both sides.
In Germany especially there are many still unaware of the fate of family
members who never returned after the Second World War. This book reveals
what happened to some who even today are still officially listed as
'missing'.
