The transition to air power in the central Mediterranean island of Malta 1920-1943

Abstract

The development of Military Aviation and its primary role during the Second World War has always drawn my attention and intrigued me to delve into the subject further. Flying has always fascinated mankind and inspired it to develop various means and devices to reach that objective. As early as the Renaissance period, one could already trace this fervent interest in exploring the skies. The way aviation changed the concept of war in a relatively short period of time, from the First World War to the Second World War has always motivated me to research further and deeper on the subject. Aviation provided war with a new insight, a new reality that was to shatter forever the traditional perspectives of warfare. The confined parameters of the battlefield became extended to encompass whole countries and populations, instilling a new sense of terror and defence. A change in strategy was held by the utilisation of a new aerial element. My aim was to analyse and portray the effects of such shift in the island of Malta, a British island fortress with a long history of naval traditions. Aviation was to change the island from different angles. Apart from altering its principal strategic design in the context of war, aviation exerted a psychological and physical effect on society. The Maltese population became presented with the opportunity to travel in shorter time-frames and to utilise postal services by air. It also opened up a new economic opportunity, as it gradually became realised that the island had the potential to act as a hub for incoming and transit passengers. It introduced civil aviation in Malta by linking it to other neighbouring countries. Aviation placed the island on the aerial map but it also generated a new threat. It equipped the enemy with a new weapon capable of striking at the very centre of Maltese society calling for new passive and active defence measures. This brought about a collective effort by the Maltese population in safeguarding their own country and fellow citizens.