Spitfire V vs C.202 Folgore
Malta 1942
- Publisher
- Osprey
- Initial publish date
- Apr 2014
- Category
- Aviation, General, World War II
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9781782003564
- Publish Date
- Apr 2014
- List Price
- $31
Add it to your shelf
Where to buy it
Description
The inability of the Italians and Germans to invade Malta proved decisive for Allied victory in the Mediterranean during World War II, as the islands provided the Allies with a base from which to project air power. Early Italian efforts to pound the islands into submission were supplemented by major German forces from January 1942 and in a few weeks the situation for the defenders reached a critical stage; in response, in March 1942 the first Spitfires were delivered to Malta. That April the Macchi C.202 was introduced to combat over Malta, the fighter downing its first Spitfire on 2 June. Throughout the summer C.202s fought over Malta escorting tiny formations of Cant Z.1007s, SM.79s and Ju 88s. The fighting subsided in August and September, but grew in strength with the arrival of more C.202s. In October the Regia Aeronautica could muster three Gruppi with a total of 74 C.202s. For ten days the Italians pressed a relentless attack before attrition brought the offensive to a halt. Throughout the bombing campaign the British were able to supply Malta with ever increasing numbers of Spitfires. By the end of June air commanders felt secure enough to pass one of the Spitfire squadrons to Egypt. Here, the Spitfire V would again encounter the C.202 in the long drive to expel the Germans and Italians from North Africa, then Sicily and Italy in 1943. Fully illustrated with specially commissioned artwork, this is the engaging story of the clash between two of World War II's finest piston-engine fighters in the skies over the Mediterranean and North Africa.
About the authors
Donald Nijboer is co-author, with photographer Dan Patterson, of Cockpit: An Illustrated History of World War II Aircraft Interiors, Gunner: An Illustrated History of World War II Aircraft Turrets and Gun Positions and Cockpits of the Cold War. He lives in Toronto, Ontario.
Editorial Reviews
“...a book that is well written, has a gob of period photos, some excellent art work and is well worth reading. Pick it up, I know you'll be pleased.” —Scott Van Aken, www.modelingmadness.com
Other titles by
Graphic War Navy
The Secret Naval Drawings and Illustrations of World War II
Carrier Strike
A Photo History of Aircraft Carriers in World War II
The Mighty Eighth
Masters of the Air over Europe 1942-45
SBD Dauntless vs A6M Zero-sen
Pacific Theater 1941-44
Flak in World War II
B-29 Superfortress vs Ki-44 "Tojo"
Pacific Theater 1944-45
Air Combat 1945
The Aircraft of World War II's Final Year
Meteor I vs V1 Flying Bomb
1944
Graphic War
The Secret Aviation Drawings and Illustrations of World War II
