Short Sunderland Mark I, L5807 DQ-R, of No. 228 Squadron RAF, on fire and sinking while moored at Kalafrana, Malta, following an attack by German fighter Messerschmitt Bf 109s of 7/JG26 (“The Abbeville Boys”). According the Imperial War Museum the photograph was taken by Group Captain Livock from his office window at RAF Kalafrana. Year 1941. Victor Sierra

Sunderland on fire

A nitrates factory in Crotone, Calabria, Southern Italy, under attack from three Bristol Blenheims of No. 105 Squadron RAF based at Luqa, Malta. The aircraft, two of which can be seen flying between the columns of smoke rising from the factory, came under concentrated anti-aircraft fire from vessels moored offshore, as a result of which one damaged Blenheim crash-landed near the town and another was written off attempting to land back at Luqa. Photo perharps taken in 1941. Victor Sierra

Nitrates factory under attack

From official caption of IWM: Short Sunderland Mark I, L2164 DQ-M, of No. 228 Squadron RAF, on fire in St Paul's Bay, Malta after being shot up for a second time by Messerschmitt Bf 109s of 7/JG26. L2164, already damaged from the previous attack on 7 March 1941, ultimately sank after efforts to tow her ashore failed. Victor Sierra