Malta Convoys 1940-42:

The Struggle at Sea

Review by Tony Gibbs

Leo Cooper/Penn and Sword Books

David Thomas, himself a survivor, is the author of some fifteen previous books, most of which are naval - half focusing on the WW2 era.

A good “blood and guts” book: plenty of action; first hand accounts; and statistics for a reality check. It gives many insights into the whole Mediterranean theatre of the war. I was surprised at how outnumbered the Brits were, mostly in small ships.

Over the years I have heard plenty about how hard it was for these convoys to get through, and while I am not suggesting it was otherwise, the statistics available show that convoys to Malta were harder hit than those from Malta. From January 1940 till May 1942 there were 24 convoys to Malta with 111 merchantmen involved. 11 turned back, 80 got through, and 20 sunk, which is less of an attrition rate than I would have thought, given the numerical might of the Italian Navy and Air Force opposing them.

An item I found interesting was that the Italians started the war with some one hundred submarines, the Brits only eight. Also covered is the British attempt to interdict the Axis convoys to and from the North African littoral, which was arguably more successful in results than the attacks on the Malta convoys. Another aspect covered are the varied naval engagements that took place: Sirte 1&2 and of course Matapan.

Though written from the British viewpoint, it is not all “stiff upper lips,” and “how to give the wops a good hiding.” The Italian and German successes in sinking the Ark Royal, Barham, Valiant, and Queen Elizabeth are also discussed.

Maps are few and far between and very basic. A good number of photographs are included. he appendices are full of varied details and minutia on the convoy members, including names, nationality, and tonnages, as well as the make-up of the escort groups including for example the number of fleet oilers and tugs, and naming them too!

A good read, not difficult, but enthralling enough to keep you going - Available from Combined Publishing, PO Box 307, Conshohocken, PA 19428, www.dca.net/combinedbooks. for $36.95

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