Mention of Malta Spitfires invariably brings to mind George Beurling, the RAF's master of deflection shooting. Yet Beurling was one of several hundred Spit pilots who defended that vital island from Axis invasion in 1942. Over three dozen pilots made ace over Malta in 1942 and 1943, Beurling topping the list with 27 kills. Steve Nichols tells the story of those valiant pilots in MALTA SPITFIRE ACES, #83 in Osprey's 'Aircraft of the Aces' series.
First committed to action over Malta in February 1942, Supermarine's superlative fighter would prove absolutely crucial to that already battered island's existence in the coming year. During 1942 Axis air units periodically mounted punishing attacks on Malta, inflicting heavy damage. Fuel, ammunition and food stocks almost ran out and it was only through the efforts of Malta's Spitfire units that the island survived.
Though 'Screwball' Beurling topped the list, other aces such as 'Buck' McNair, 'Timber' Woods, Peter Nash, Claude Weaver, Ray Hesselyn, 'Slim' Yarra, 'Johnny' Plagis and others bloodied German and Italian air units alike, giving Malta needed breathing space.
Author-illustrator Steve Nichols' exciting text, filled with firsthand combat accounts, is complimented by 10 pages of Nichols-drawn color profiles. Information on Malta Spits, especially profiles, has been pretty slim so this Osprey volume is doubly welcome.
Being a fighter pilot on Malta in 1942 was rough duty. Aside from the rigors of air combat, food and amenities were few. Many pilots suffered from malaria, dysentery and exhaustion. MALTA SPITFIRE ACES does a marvelous job of relating what those determined pilots did so many years ago over the Med. Recommended.