Despite concerns that the island, far from Britain and close to Italy, could not be defended, the British decided in July 1939 to increase the number of anti-aircraft guns and fighter aircraft on Malta.

[4] During 1940 Malta's air defence force had been built up from Faith, Hope, and Charity, the three famous Sea Gladiators of the Hal Far Fighter Flight.

Although the German Luftwaffe promptly destroyed 30 of them on the same day, the defensive and offensive capabilities of AHQ Malta grew as a result of these and other aircraft reaching the island in the summer of 1942.

[6] Air Vice Marshal Sir Keith Park took over command of AHQ Malta on 15 July 1942.

[1] At this time, the island provided critical operational air bases for the Allies with proximity to Axis shipping lanes and the battlefields of Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Pantelleria, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and mainland Italy during World War II.

This attrition was a significant aspect of Rommel's defeat and was in large part due to AHQ Malta, and the British and American heavy bombers of No.

[5] In February 1943, AHQ Malta became a major sub-command of the Mediterranean Air Command (MAC) following a decision by the Allies at their Casablanca Conference in January 1943.

[8] When the Allies invaded Sicily (Operation Husky) on 10 July 1943, AHQ Malta directed the units below.

Some other squadrons and flights from the Northwest African Tactical and Coastal Air Forces were detached to Malta prior to the invasion of Sicily including Nos.

Some famous Aces stationed on Malta were Rhodesian Johnny Plagis and the Canadian fighter pilots George "Screwball" Beurling and Wally McLeod.

[11] On 1 July 1947, Air Vice Marshal C R Steele had AHQ Malta take over El Adem, Benina, and Castel Benito stations in Libya from No.

AHQ Malta was disbanded on 30 June 1968 and the Air Vice Marshal flew home the following day.