Italian Air Force’s Savoia-Marchetti S.79 over the Malta’s Miqabba airfield on first months of 1940 (probably photomontage by the Italian Air Ministry’s propaganda services). From 11 June 1940 and until the end of the year, except for few days, 12-25 June, because the brief operations against the France, the Italian bombers dropped directly over Malta 283,000 kg of bombs, plus other 270,000 against military and merchant ships on the water overlooking the Island, frequently also during two or plus mission by day (night missions included). The bombers, mainly S.79, flew over Malta 1,000 hours for bombing missions plus other 108 hours for recce flight. Thirty-five Regia Aeronautica’s aircraft was loss during the raid over the Island: twenty-seven (18 bombers and 9 fighters) down by the Malta’s fighters, and eight by the AA (five bombers and three fighters) by the AA fire. The crew’s loss was 124 KIA or MIA (112 bombers crew and 12 fighter pilots). Victor Sierra

Malta: the first six months

Italian paratrooper with the full parachuting suit. Probably he belongs to the Air Force paratroopers or ADRA, Arditi Distruttori Regia Aeronautica. DVX

Ardito

The first Stukas view over Malta was Italian. Phased out the twin engine dive bomber SM.85, a disastrous airplane never employed in operational missions, the Regia Aeronautica, late Summer 1940, deployed in Sicily for the air offensive against Malta the first Junkers Ju.87Bs (nicknamed “Picchiatelli” by the Italian aviators) received directly by the Luftwaffe. First mission (likely the overall first dive bombing over Malta): afternoon 5 September 1940, five Ju.87B of the 96th Gruppo took off from Sicily for attack a ship on roadstead at Malta harbor noticed by a recce morning flight. Not spotting the target, perhaps departed, the Stukas raided with 500 kg bombs the Fort Delimara, a fuel storage, a torpedo storage and a little steamer a Marsa Scirocco Bay. The latter wasn’t hit, the bombe which hit the torpedo storage likely not exploded, but Delimara and the fuel storage was hit. No AA reaction observed. 15 September: twelve “Picchiatelli”, escorted by CR.42 and MC.200 fighters, bombed Hal Far airfield. The crews reported many burst and large blazes over the target and an attack of two British fighters without result. A fierce clash occurred on 17 September: the target of twelve Ju.87B, escorted by CR.42s and MC.200s, were Mikabba, (or Miqabba) airfield: the Stukas crews reported heavy damages over the airfield and three aircraft likely destroyed on the ground. During the pull-up the Italian dive bombers was attacked by some British fighters which eluded the Italian fighters: a Stuka down, another returned in Sicily with the gunner killed. The Italians lost also a CR.42 while the Regia Aeronautica’s crews claimed two enemies fighters, one down over the ground, the other on the sea. In Autumn the Regia Aeronautica’s Ju.87Bs was retired from the Sicily for transfer on the Balkan theater. Victor Sierra