DEFENCE OF MALTA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 April 1942, Page 3

DEFENCE OF MALTA

GREAT AND GALLANT ACHIEVEMENT MORE DESPERATE ATTACKS EXPECTED. AS PART OF AXIS PLANS FOR SPRING. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 30. Recently Malta has been sustaining attacks as heavy as any since the Axis air forces seriously turned their attention toward the island 20 months ago. During all these months, Malta has stood out as a bastion in a vital area otherwise controlled by the enemy. Her achievement is at least as gallant and important as that of Tobruk and Corregidor.

The supplying of Malta with arms, aircraft, oil and food constitutes a problem, the difficulties of which it is not difficult to appreciate. Not only do convoys to the island have to run the risk of encountering the Italian navy and Axis aircraft —as the latest convoy did —in waters close to the latter’s bases, but ships in Malta, in spite of the formidable defences, are naturally exposed to heavy air attack. Malta has magnificently withstood every enemy attack so far and these have been pressed home with considerable determination,

It is not unlikely that in the near future, even more desperate attempts will be made by the enemy to destroy or neutralise this vital base. For, if in fact the Axis’s spring offensive is going to include a drive across the Mediterranean, it is very probable that an even more determined attempt will be made to blockade or even attack Malta. But the defenders of Malta have already shown their spirit and they can be relied on to continue to do so. HIT & RUN RAIDS BOMBS DROPPED AT RANDOM. SLIGHT DAMAGE AND SOME CASUALTIES. LONDON, March 31. Malta has had hit and run raids today. From early this morning solitary raiders have dropped bombs at random. Slight damage is reported. There are a number of casualties, some fatal. The raids are still in progress.