ctory for the RAF against truly overwhelming odds, just as the Battle of Britain had been two years earlier. The RAF’s desperate fight to retain control of this tiny Mediterranean island, and the defiant courage of the people of Malta, is one of the epic stories of WWII.
This powerful piece by John Shaw, one of the world’s foremost Aviation and Military Artists, is reproduced from his original work in graphite, capturing the ferocity of the air war over Malta when the Axis air forces were at their maximum strength. With editions including the original autographs of Pilots who flew with the RAF, Italy and Luftwaffe over Malta and the Mediterranean, this stunning edition represents a historical account of this crucial and decisive period.Signatures:
Lieutenant Colonel COSTANTINO PETROSELLINI - 5 victories - Joining the Regia Aeronautica Italiana in 1938, he was first assigned to 63rd Gruppo, 41st Sqn, flying the Ro.37 over Yugoslavia, before moving to North Africa with 8th Gruppo, 92nd Sqn in July 1941 flying the Machi Mc.200. In December 1942 he moved to Sarzanna Air Base flying convoy escort missions over the Mediterranean against RAF fighters based in Malta. He scored 5 victories against RAF & American aircraft, but after the Armistice of September 1943, he sided with the Allies joining the Aeronautica Co-Belligerante in Sicily against the Luftwaffe. Flying the Reggiane Re.2002, he had three ground victories over Luftwaffe aircraft.
Group Captain BILLY DRAKE DSO DFC* - 24 ½ victories - One of the most outstanding RAF Aces of WWII, Billy Drake flew Hurricanes with 1 Sqn in France, scoring his first victory in May 1940, and then Spitfires with 421 Flight during the Battle of Britain. In April 1942 he took command of 112 Sqn in the Western Desert, flying P40 Kittyhawks with great success, accumulating at least 15 victories, including 1 kill over a Malta convoy. He then moved to Malta commanding the Krendi Spitfire Wing against Italian and German fighters, scoring the last of his victories over a MC202, on July 7th, 1943. After Malta he commanded 20 Typhoon Wing.
General JOHANNES "MACKY" STEINHOFF Knights Cross with Oak Leaves & Swords – 176 victories - After commanding 4./JG52 during the Battle of Britain he transferred to the Eastern Front in June 1941 scoring his 100th victory there. In April 1943 he took command of JG 77 in North Africa and then moved to Sicily flying missions in the Mediterranean against RAF Fighters in Malta. After the Normandy invasion he was sent to France but in late 1944 took command of the first Me262 unit, JG7, later joining Galland's JV44, where he scored 6 jet victories before being seriously burned in a crash. He finished the war with 178 victories and, after the war, rejoined the German Airforce, becoming Chief of Air Staff in 1966.
Squadron Leader HARRY MOON - Joining the RAF in June 1940 he received his wings in April 1941 and was posted to the carrier HMS Ark Royal for two of its missions, delivering Hurricanes to Malta. He was then assigned directly to 249 Sqn in Malta flying Hurricanes and after months of intense air fighting over the Island, transferred to 126 Sqn in February 1942 flying Spitfires. After leaving Malta he flew with the "Aden Defence Flight" and in May 1943 joined 274 Sqn flying Hurricanes and Spitfires from Tripoli and then flying air sweeps during the battle for Anzio. In April 1944 he moved back to England and flew throughout D-Day and the Normandy Invasion.
Wing Commander TOM NEIL DFC* AFC – 14 victories - One of the great Battle of Britain Aces, he flew Hurricanes with 249 Sqn at North Weald from May 1940, scoring the first of his many victories on 7 September. In May 1941 he moved with the squadron to defend Malta where he enjoyed much success, scoring his final aerial victory over the island. In between spells instructing he commanded 41 Sqn before joining the US 9th Air Force as Flying Liaison Officer with the 100th Fighter Wing. Flying Mustangs with them on D-Day he destroying a number of aircraft on the ground and was one of the first Allied pilots to land in F