Malta Regia Aeronautica

bombing of malta.

the regia aeronautica participated in air offensive on british controlled island of malta along german air force in attempt gain control of axis sea routes sicily, sardinia, , italy north africa. end of 1940, regia aeronautica carried out 7 410 sorties against island, dropping 550 tons of bombs, losing 35 aircraft. italians claimed 66 british planes, in these first 6 months of combact. these claims exaggerated. in 1941, regia aeronautica carried out further attacks on malta, less intensely in 1940. italian airmen started fear maltese fighters , aa artillery, flight besieged island became known rotta della morte, route of death . in 1942, operations against malta, between 1 january , 8 november, regia aeronautica had write off 100 more aircraft lost in action.

malta suffered heavy losses too, , edge of starvation. besieged island managed withstand attacks italian , german air forces , claimed 1,500 axis planes.