Malta

For centuries, the Island of Malta has stood as one of the most sought after places by any nation wishing to control access to the Mediterranean Sea. Its strategic location just off the coast of North Africa allows it control of the sea lanes vital to any passage, either east or west. In early 1942, the Axis powers step up their efforts to secure Malta and thus allow supply efforts to its armies in North Africa. The Luftwaffe begins a horrendous bombing effort that sees the tiny island bombed incessantly, both day and night. The island's defenders are short on water, food and practically every other necessary means of survival. After a few weeks, the Germans and their Italian allies have almost complete control over the skies of Malta and the Mediterranean. The British Admiralty develops a desperate plan to resupply Malta's depleted air forces with a number of the new Spitfire Mark VI b's, Britain's finest fighter. The first Spitfires fly off a British carrier and succeed in reaching their destination only to be bombed into destruction within days. Additional missions involving the United States Navy bring more Spitfires to Malta and slowly the balance of power begins to turn. This fragile stability is the result of honored British fliers who somehow beat the odds and deliver a series of defeats to the Germans and Italians. Malta is the personal story of a number of these heroes and a glimpse into horrific conditions they faced on a daily basis. Lack of food, water, petrol and ammunition make their jobs even more difficult. The 'Malta Dog' is also around to make their plight even more miserable. Malta will keep you glued to its pages from beginning to end. You will identify with British King George VI who awarded the Island of Malta, the George Cross---Great Britain's highest civilian honor during wartime. The lives and loves of some of these heroic airmen are chronicled within the pages of Malta. The novel is the much awaited sequel to DuArte's best-selling Spitfire that chronicled the epic Battle of Britain at the start of World War II.