Hello, and thank you for listening to The History of World War II podcast, Episode

374, Churchill, patron saint of Malta.

Last time, with the R.E.F. Squadron's based at Malta on their knees, Kesselring was

just waiting for the right moment to launch his invasion. Supposedly dovetailing into this

waiting game, Governor Dobby wrote to the air ministry that, as may opened up, the defenders

of Malta expected a slight lol in their attacks only because the enemy was organizing for their

invasion. That day was almost here.

If evidence of this pending invasion was needed, Dobby informed the air ministry that on April

21st, reconnaissance planes from 69 Squadron flew over Sicily and spotted the signs of gliders

being prepared for. Worse, these signs, there were more than a few, were all near a rail

line, which meant massive numbers of men and parts of the planes could be shipped in a

relatively short time.

As for London, ignoring the military maximum of trusting the man on the scene, the chiefs

of staff replied that, basically, Dobby and company were assuming too much. In fact,

London had no hard evidence of preparation for an invasion. And chief of air staff, Air

Marshall, Sir Charles, portal finished off the warning by writing, we believe that if

such an attack was attended, we should by now have seen some signs. There is also no

evidence at present pointing to a seaborn invasion of the island. The Air Marshall had even added,

in fact, we have received portents that some of the bombers and fighters are to be removed

from Sicily. Now, the chiefs of staff in Air Marshall

Porter had access to something that no one on Malta did, ultra-decrypted access messages,

which explains the barely contained cajulity that was Malta's response. However, the truth

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