Once Britain decided it was a good idea to keep Malta in the fight, they needed to supply the islands with literally everything they needed to survive – food, fuel, medicine, arms, ammunition, and men. This meant massive convoys from Gibraltar or Egypt and some of the greatest, but little known, sea battles in the war, such as Operation Halberd. Perhaps most famous was Operation Pedestal, highlighted in Operation Pedestal: The convoy that saved Malta by Peter C. Smith).
Among the aircraft that took part in these naval battles, the torpedo bomber SIAI-Marchetti S.M.79 “Sparviero” (Sparrowhawk) “278-1” sank the transport Imperial Star during Operation Halberd. The Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk. II “7T” was part of 885 Naval Air Squadron aboard the HMS Victorious and took part in Operation Pedestal, as did the Sea Hurricane “7L” as a part of NAS 800 aboard the HMS Indomitable.
The aircraft in the featured picture is the last Sea Hurricane in operation.
Finally for this portion is Fairey Fulmar Mk.I “G”, flown by Stanley Orr, 806 Squadron, the highest scoring ace of the Fleet Air Arm. The aircraft was flying from the HMS Illustrious protecting a convoy. The Illustrious was damaged in attacks from Ju 87s and docked in Malta for repairs. During that time, 806 Squadron was stationed at Hal Far on Malta and Orr achieved five more victories and earned his second Distinguished Service Cross.
Next time I’ll look at some of the aerial combat over Malta.
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