Malta Spitfire Aces

(Paperback)

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Description

The siege of Malta during World War II is one of the great epics of aerial warfare. Described in 1942 as both a 'fighter pilot's paradise' and 'the most bombed place on earth', Malta 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. 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.

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)

Author Bio

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.