Military Model Scene

Title: Operation Pedestal 1942
Author: Angus Konstam
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-4728-5567-1

Campaign 394 from Osprey Publishing, 'The Battle for Malta's Lifeline'. A 96-page soft-cover book.
Many of us will know the basic story of Malta in WW2, one part of a long military history for the island. The book starts out with an introduction that sets the scene for Operation Pedestal, the story of the convoy which saved both the islanders themselves and the soldiers, sailors and airmen who were based there. After the background, then a look at the senior commanders involved on both Allied and Axis sides. Two admirals for the Allies, then 2 German and 2 Italian senior officers. That in turn is followed by a comprehensive listing of the forces involved on both sides. What follows is the detailed story of the Pedestal convoy itself. Starting with many of the 14 cargo ships loading in the UK, then assembly with their escorts and sailing to enter the Mediterranean. The story then unfolds, as they had to sail through areas patrolled by Italian submarines, there were then additional attacks by MAS torpedo boats, along with both Italian torpedo bombers and German Stukas all taking a toll. Add maps, archive photos and other artwork showing the positions of the individual ships and escorts. There was the possibility of Italian surface units making an attack although that didn't materialise, and a decoy convoy sailing from Alexandria, before the final air attacks. The surviving ships, including the Ohio, finally make an arrival into Grand Harbour, before closing out with an Aftermath summary.
The cost of getting the few surviving merchantmen into harbour had been very high, both in terms of lost merchantmen as well as warship from the escort, which included one aircraft carrier. Malta played a vital role in the war in the Mediterranean, but had Pedestal not got through then who knows what might have happened. As is pointed out in the book, there is no battlefield to visit as such, with the many casualties, both ships and aircraft, laying hidden beneath the sea. A really well presented account of this famous convoy, in a well illustrated book and at really good value for money I think.
Thanks to Osprey Books for our review copy.

Robin