 Absolutely 5 stars!!! NO less!!
When I saw a new author writing this book, I thought, "Let`s see how good this book is."
After reading this book I have two words: Absolutely wonderful!!
The way he explains about the British on the small island between Italy and North Africa and how they fought valiantly against overwhelming odds, and overcame even the most difficult of battles.
Never has anyone fought so much for such little ground. The British held on to the island with all they had. Nearing the brink of collapse many times, the airmen on the island still fought on, with very little supplies and aircraft.
Steve explains wonderfully about the valiant efforts of the British pilots.
This book needs not to be overlooked; it will add another piece of history in you library.
I was glued to this book as much as John Weals' and George Mellingers' books!
This book is very nicely put together. I will watch for more Steve Nichols' books in the future for sure! I highly recommend this book!
Ultimate Dogfight
This was a very good account of the aerial battles over Malta between June, 1940 and Nov., 1942. The axis powers desperately needed to take out Malta, but the little island hung tough. Lots of mini bios of some of the brave pilots that gave their lives for the cause.
Spits in Defense of Malta!
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.
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