Research Catalog

Title

The eyes of Malta : the crucial role of aerial reconnaissance and ULTRA intelligence, 1940-1943 / Salvo Fagone.

Author

Fagone, Salvo, 1979-

Publication

• Warwick : Helion & Company, 2023.
• ©2023

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

viii, 395 pages : illustrations (black and white), maps; 25 cm

Summary

"During the Second World War, aerial reconnaissance in all its aspects - photographic, strategic, tactical and armed - played a leading role. The British, French, Americans, Germans and Italians all used this exceptional means of observation to try to understand the enemy's strategies in advance. This volume describes how things really went; it brings to light new details, revealing the way the war in Sicily, and in the Mediterranean in general, was influenced by aerial reconnaissance. Sicily was a proving ground for many reconnaissance techniques before, during and after its eventual invasion. The highly secret Ultra intelligence service also played a decisive role, anticipating the enemy's aerial and nautical activities. Finally, the strategic position of the island of Malta supported and facilitated the Allies. Heavily bombed throughout the first few years of the war, this tenacious island resisted admirably and became a thorn in the enemy's side as its reconnaissance aircraft repeatedly revealed Italian and German activities in North Africa, the Mediterranean, Sicily and greater Italy.The war in the Mediterranean was a key to the entire global conflict. Stopping the Germans and Italians in North Africa meant the Suez Canal was safe, the rest of Africa was safe and the vital oilfields in the Middle East remained in the Allies' hands. Also, the war could only reach its end if the Germans were pushed out of Italy. Malta's strategic location meant it was crucial, as it has been for centuries, to controlling the 'middle sea'. Its role during the 1939-45 war is well known and has been told many times before. However, the focus has usually been on the defending fighters or the convoys fighting to get through. If aerial reconnaissance efforts are featured, only a very few key people have been mentioned. The same stories are often repeated. Here, though, for the first time, is the complete picture of Malta's role in wartime aerial reconnaissance."

Subject

• 1900-1999
• World War, 1939-1945 > Malta > Aerial operations
• World War, 1939-1945 > Mediterranean Region > Aerial operations
• World War, 1939-1945 > Malta > Reconnaissance operations
• ULTRA (Intelligence system)
• Aerial reconnaissance > History > 20th century
• World War, 1939-1945 > Electronic intelligence
• World War, 1939-1945 > Aerial operations
• World War, 1939-1945 > Reconnaissance operations
• Aerial reconnaissance
• Electronic intelligence
• Military operations, Aerial
• Mediterranean Region
• Malta

Genre/Form

History.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (pages 387-395).

Call Number

JFE 23-3383

ISBN

• 1804512419
• 9781804512418

OCLC

1347221267

Author

Fagone, Salvo, 1979- author, cartographer.

Title

The eyes of Malta : the crucial role of aerial reconnaissance and ULTRA intelligence, 1940-1943 / Salvo Fagone.

Publisher

Warwick : Helion & Company, 2023.

Copyright Date

©2023

Type of Content

text

still image

cartographic image

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 387-395).

Chronological Term

1900-1999

Research Call Number

JFE 23-3383