Malta Strikes Back.

I. 'MALTA STRIKES BACK.' Titling is superimposed over the Royal Air Force crest. A close up of the front page of "The Egyptian Gazette" shows an article written by Sir Stafford Cripps, British Minister for Aircraft Production, entitled "Malta's Great Victory" (publication date Tuesday May 11 1943). The commentary gives an overview of the defence of Malta, stressing the contribution of the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy (RN) and stresses the fact that these forces are now poised to "strike back with deadly purpose" against the Axis. Panoramic views show tethered barrage balloons floating high over Grand Harbour. An RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk VB with Vokes filter overflies merchant shipping. Maltese civilian workers cut rock using hand axes to reconstruct bomb damaged housing, rock slabs are hand shaped and sanded before being set into position to harden. Maltese dockers unload a merchant ship using a hoist. Maltese schoolgirls file back into their classrooms following an enforced holiday due to the heavy Axis air attacks on the island. The commentary states that peace has been brought to Malta by the prowess and devotion of the RAF, but that offensive action will be the order of the day from now on. RAF armourers carry a 250lb bomb to a Spitfire Mk VC for loading onto a wing rack. Air Vice Marshal Sir Keith Park (General Officer Commanding, Malta) consults a map and chats informally to flight crews. Air to air footage show a loose gaggle of Spitfire Mk V(B ?) fighters crossing the Maltese coast in line abreast formation. The commentary stresses that Malta never sleeps and that the garrison of Malta patrols in the darkness and the "invincible pilots of the RAF strike ceaselessly through the night." A 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft crew talk while standing in their gun pit as darkness draws in. An RAF Bristol Beaufort torpedo bomber accompanied by a Bristol Beaufighter crosses the Maltese coast on an anti-shipping strike. Domestic scenes of ironing and children sleeping are contrasted with stock shot camera gun footage of the destruction of a Luftwaffe Heinkel He 111 bomber. A captured Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter in RAF markings attempts to evade the attention of a Supermarine Spitfire Mk V during an evaluation flight The Messerschmitt may possibly form part of 1426 (Enemy Aircraft) Flight based at RAF Collyweston in Northamptonshire. An RAF administrator types a communiqu which reads "Communiqu AHQ Malta : Last night our intruder aircraft attacked targets in Sicily."