Actually ,

I think there was more to do to get Malta because of one man:

Sir Keith Park


http://nzedge.com/heroes/park.html

When Park, now Air Marshal Park, arrived on the island he found scarce food supplies, insufficient planes, and petrol supplies dependent on tankers getting through without being attacked by German fighters. In April 1942 the island suffered merciless air attacks from the Luftwaffe and Italian bombers attempting to make the island "free for the storm" and open supply routes to Rommel’s army in North Africa. Instead of trying to defend the island, Park, in the best All Black tradition, determined to counter-attack. The fighters that were sent out to intercept the German attack inflicted such heavy losses on the incoming German planes that Malta was saved.

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I sent the figures some time ago but unfortunately could not find them with the search machine.

Anyway, when he arrived at Malta and was told that " Malta had been bombed alot and could take another one!" He said "Why?"

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