Tria 1. The Malta alternative. March 1940.
or The Maltese Falco.
Air Vice Marshall Herbert Martin "Sammy" Maynard sat at his desk, with his back to the stunning view over Valletta Harbour and the road-stead. Allowing the map that he had been studying to roll up with a flap, he turned his attention to the only other person in his large and airy office.
Well then Kytey, what is the state of play with regards to our air readiness. Are we confident that we can take on the might of the Regio Aeronautica now that Mussolini has thrown in his lot with Herr Hitler. His slight New Zealand accent always showed through in times of stress.
Well Sammy as you know I have finally prevailed on the Navy to release the Sea Gladiators that Group Captain Gardner found in packing crates on the slipway at the aircraft repair section Kalafrana.
There are eight of them, and by working all hours that God sends Collins and his lads under Sgt. dimmer have got four of them built up and airworthy and shipped by road to Hal Far. We also have four Swordfish, which are being refurbished.
A.C. Martin is Co. at Hal Far and has asked your permission to retain your P.A. flt. Lt. George Burges as his 2ic. if you can manage without him. he seems to be the only one on the Squadron to have had any time on Gladiators.
Maynard mused for a moment and then stood up. "Very well "Freddie" if that's all we have it will have to do for present. Tell Martin he can have Burges, and I will get onto GOC. Gib. and see if they he can send over a few reinforcements. If not heaven help us all."
On that note Air Commodore Kyte left his masters office and in his task as R.A.F. Chief Administrative Officer Malta, started to get his motley force of airmen worked up and ready for the onslaught to come.
By 20th of May Kyte was able to report to Maynard that three Gladiators were on continuous two minute standby and one Swordfish was standing by at 15 minutes notice.
This was just as well because on the morning of the 11th of June the klaxon suddenly sounded, a door crashed open and the voice of the station commander shouted "Scramble the fighters." He was already running for the aircraft, to be beaten by Burgess by a short head.
Finding the foot holds he heaved himself into the cockpit fastened his harness, primed engine and pressed the self starter. Within second all three machines were taxiing and then in the air climbing to attain maximum height before intercepting the enemy.
The R.T. crackled into life and Martin's voice cut through the airwaves. " Banjo from Red one, Red Flight airborne".
A voice answered him from Air control. "Red one from Banjo. Bandits approaching "Hot Dog" from the south. Leave one machine to cover the field and intercept hostiles."
As Martin and Burgess headed for Grand Harbour, Pete Keeble turned off to cover the Drome at Hal Far.
Meanwhile the incoming aircraft consisting of two Fiat CR.42s escorting by a Falco 11 were sweeping around the balloon air defences to the South of Grand harbour and straight into the path of the Flack battery stationed at Fort Rinnella which took a toll on the Italian machines setting one on fire and damaging it severely as an AA shell exploded directly beneath it.
Martin and Burgess soon spotted the Bandits approaching and split up heading for cloud cover in an attempt to surprise the oncoming enemy.
Unfortunately Burgess was spotted by the Falco 11 as he entered the cloud base.
Meanwhile, the burning CR42 twisted and turned in order to keep the fire at bay.
Having lost the Falco, and popping out of the clouds, Burgess got off some telling rounds into the other CR, which returned fire just before vanishing into the cloud which Burgess had vacated.
His partner seemed to be combating the fire whilst Martin was still searching for him.
Just as he entered the next cloud the fire seemed to flare up again and at the same moment Martin caught up with the Italian machine, and dived.
One final burst and it was all over. With insufficient height to deploy his chute the pilot went down with his machine.
On the other side of the cloud bank a turning fight had developed between the remaining CR and Burgess.
Finally with his superior turning skills Burgess managed to cut the arc and poured a devastating hail of bullets into his opponents machine.
Finally taking him down.
As he over flew his victim, and watched his parachute blossom forth, he was joined by his Flight Leader still trying to climb back up to altitude in the slow Gladiator.
Unfortunately he was also joined by the Falco 11 who was now out for blood having seen his compatriots just shot down.
Overflying Martin, who was still too far below him to fire at, he made a beeline for Burgess.
As he closed Burgess side slipped and the Italian in his faster machine over cooked it, flashing past the Gladiators left wing.
Quick as a flash Burgess, stood his machine on its tail, whipped around and got behind the Falco.
Try a bit of this chummy he breathed as he pressed the tit, and sprayed the Italian's kite with his four .303 Brownings.
Chummy did not hang about, and despite Martin taking a snap shot from his still climbing aircraft, showed a clean pair of heels to the two slower Bi-planes.
However, the Italian pilot was no coward and soon came roaring back towards Burgess.
This proved to be his undoing, because the still climbing Martin made sure of his shooting this time and raked the Falco's belly, igniting the engine.
The burning Falco now evaded Burgess,
who proving once more what a nimble steed he had in the Gladiator, pulled an Immelmann turn, but his shooting proved somewhat ineffectual on this occasion.
Despite the fire seeming slight, the Italian had obviously had enough and turned for home with the Gladiators in pursuit.
Taking a few more rounds in the bodywork as he fled, he now played the Gladiators at their own game.
Pulling off a side slip, shortly followed by an over dive, he gave both pursuers the slip as well as foiling the AA batteries on the coast into firing too high.
It was thus that one member of the Regio Aeronautica was enabled to report back to base that the Malta defences had actually possessed some teeth.
THE BUTCHER'S BILL.
Regio Aeronautica.
Sgt. V Rinaldi. K.I.A.
Tenente M Visintini . Shot down. P.O.W.
Capitano U Cerretani. R.T.B.
261 Squadron.
Sq.Ldr A. C. Martin. R.T.B. One victory.
Flt. Lt. G Burges. R.T.B. One victory.
Rob.
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Originally Posted by Skafloc
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