


                     OPERATION HERCULES:                  
                                        The invasion of Malta island


             
                       Here is a rough scenario of Germany's proposed invasion of Malta.
  Malta island was,I believe,the downfall of Erwin Rommel's[who I think was the most 
  brillant strategist of the war] Africa Korps.Malta served as the perfect unsinkable
  aircraft-carrier that filled the role that the Navy would otherwise have had to play.
                             In British hands it served as a protector of convoys to
  Egypt and it prevented free passage to the Germans reinforcing the Africa Korps.So
  the strategic importance was of the highest order.Hitler not going through with this 
  invasion was,along with many other stupid interferences throughout the war,desasterous.
        
                       Malta was at a vulnerable position in December of 1941 when the
  first attacks were made by Luftwaffe's 1O Fliegerkorps,commanded by Lieutenant-General
  Hans Geissler.Malta's three airfields,Luqa,Hal Far and Takali commanded by Air Vice-
  Marshal Hugh Lloyd,only had 16 Vickers Armstrong Wellington bombers,12 Swordfish 
  torpedo bombers,a handful of American-made Martin Maryland light bombers and just
  16 Hurricane fighters.The opposition: 400 Messerschmitt fighters and Junkers bombers.

            Even before then,in June 1940, when Mossolini declared war there were only 68
  AA guns,insted of the recomended 156,along with 9 obsolescent biplanes: 5 Faiery Sword-
  fish torpedo bombers,and 4 Gloster Gladiator fighters,which on there own offered 
  battle to the Italian raiders for three weeks. 
                The declaration of war by Italy was thought by Hitler and Mussolini
  to take away the strategic value of Malta island.
                    An oversight that would cost them both dearly.



                 I decided to make this scenario in Feb. of 1942 because it's about
  the middle of the Dec. 1941 systematic bombing campaign by Geissler to whipe out the
  Royal Air Force and Navy in Malta.The plans for Operation Hurcules were also being 
  drawn out during the month of December.So February 1942 sounded like a reasonable time
  to strike,seeing how all the best oppertunites were already overlooked.

16:00,Feb.13,1942          
               Your mission:

                        As part of an elite first strike commando force,your job is to
 assualt the key airfield,Takali,and hold until relieved by the Army,which should  
 arrive arround 08:30,feb.14,1942.You must also eliminate all anti-aircraft guns.
            
           Your mission will create a diversion from the main landing force,which will
 strike south of the Valletta Grand Harbour,near the naval dockyard in French Creek. 
 
 You will be assisted by paratroopers which will land behind enemy lines as you storm 
 the beach.You will also be givin ample air support along with artillary support from 
 an off shore destroyer.

               The future of this invasion relys on you completing your mission.                   
                           
                                 You must not fail.....

oh yea....
 [none of the airfields were actually near Valletta,the area depicted in the 
 scenario,but oh well,you cant duplicate everything]
                            Tell me what you think,check out the Moscow.zip file about
  the invasion of Moscow also.
                                 let me know....
                                     Mikey 103134,1006 