The British were secretly plotting and did not know about the Italians who were eyeing Malta. Of course, as time passed, it soon came time for the campaign to be launched.

Palermo is the largest city in Sicily and the largest port city on the island. Thanks to its port, Palermo also became the logistics center of the Maltese campaign, where a large number of transport ships were concentrated, as well as marines preparing for landing operations. This has also led to the fact that its port warehouses are full of various war materials, and some of them are even directly covered with tarpaulins at the docks.

At this time, a large number of soldiers gathered at the dock, they were lining up to board the transport ships, and on the other side of the dock, a large number of weapons and equipment were also put on the ships with loading and unloading capacity with the help of cranes.

In addition, outside the port, warships were also activated at this time. This is a reserve fleet led by Vice Admiral Negovan, who will provide escort for transport formations, as well as fire support at sea.

Combat readiness in Malta extends to the skies, in addition to preparations at sea and on the ground.

The airships that shone in the border battle also appeared in Palermo.

On the outskirts of Palermo, a large clearing has long been cleared, where the 2nd Wing of Italian airships is anchored.

What is Airship 2nd Wing?

This is a long story, in the border battle with France, although the airships used by Italy gave great convenience to the battlefield. But the management of the airship is very bad. Although in peacetime, the Italian military already has a squadron for airships, but this kind of formation can still be used when managing airships with fewer naval and army forces, but it is not suitable at all after the recruitment of civilian airships.

You must know that before the war, there were a lot of civilian airships in Italy, among which Alitalia had nearly 300 airships of various types for air transportation. After the outbreak of the war, most of these airships were drafted by the military.

It is necessary to say here that after the outbreak of the war, there were 21 Italian civilian ships abroad, including 7 in Britain, France, Russia and their overseas territories. Four airships reacted quickly and lifted off from the hostile forces, while three were unable to dodge and be controlled by them.

Among these airships, the Swan is the most thrilling to fly over the Atlantic. It was on an air route from South America to Europe, passing over the British and French colonies in Africa.

As soon as he received the news of the outbreak of war, the captain immediately ordered the airship not to dock at N'Djamena, which was originally used as a supply station, and to fly directly across the Sahara Desert.

Thanks to the Swan's many years of experience flying South American routes, coupled with the superb skills of the Swan crew.

The Swan made its way through the Sahara, eventually resupplying itself in Sebha before making its way back to Rome.

In fact, in N'Djamena the British were ready to be confiscated as soon as the Swan landed.

The British were still very interested in this giant airship.

Before the war, only Germany and Italy could build giant airships. It is not easy to manufacture this kind of airship with a length of more than 200 meters, because the manufacture of a larger-sized airship is not directly enlarged, it needs to redesign the structural support frame, and it also needs to consider various aspects such as handling.

Of course, this giant airship is also more popular with airlines, after all, it can carry more cargo or people without much increase in consumption, which can make airlines earn more.

However, most of the world's giant airships are owned by Alitalia. The world's largest airline, by virtue of its special position with Led Zeppelin and the Italian airship, has a monopoly on most of the giant airships. Only German Airlines, with its home advantage, can take advantage of the tiger's mouth from Alitalia, and other airlines can only watch it swallow the huge profits of intercontinental flights.

It was precisely because of this that after the outbreak of the war, the Italian military was able to recruit a large number of airships. And these airships have given the Italian military great convenience in air transportation, ground attack, airborne and other aspects.

Italy was able to retake the Savoy region, and the airship definitely took the first place.

In mountainous areas where there are more restrictions on use, airships do not live up to expectations, so at sea with fewer restrictions, then the role of airships will definitely be greater.

It is also true that the Navy is extremely satisfied with the airship in terms of reconnaissance alone.

In fact, airships carry radio stations and reconnoiter around at speeds of more than 100 kilometers in the sky, which is more convenient than naval warships.

Of course, this excludes extreme weather, but then again, the Mediterranean Sea is not the North Sea, where does there be so much extreme weather.

So in order for the airship to play a greater role in the Maltese campaign, it was imperative to use a larger establishment, and this airship second wing came about.

The airship wing has five brigades and a total of 139 airships. Among them, the first brigade is mainly composed of small airships, which mainly undertake reconnaissance tasks, and occasionally make cameo appearances in air fire support.

The second and third brigades, mainly medium-sized airships, are also the airships with the largest number of wings. These airships are mainly the main force of air attacks, and also make cameo appearances in reconnaissance, high-risk transportation, airborne, parachute and other missions.

As for the Fourth Brigade, it is mainly a large airship, which is mainly responsible for transportation, airborne and other tasks.

As for the Fifth Brigade, it is also the one with the smallest number of airships, and it is all giant airships, and these airships are also responsible for transporting aircraft and other tasks.

However, unlike other airships, the relatively large load capacity of the giant airship allows the military to modify and strengthen it. Let it be able to load heavy weapons such as artillery, so that the troops in urgent need of heavy firepower can quickly get firepower support.

This is more fire support for paratroopers, mountain infantry, and other troops that are subject to conditions.

Of course, given the high cost of these giant airships, tasks such as bombing and parachuting behind enemy lines are generally not allowed to do it. Because each of these airships can top a destroyer, coupled with its fragility, the loss of one can make the military feel distressed.

And now, these large and small airships, taking off in the field outside Palermo, will be the first wave of fire in the battle of Malta, venting over the heads of the defenders. Clear the obstacles encountered by the landing marines.

Of course, not all airships are preparing for liftoff, and the dreaded big guys on the side of the field are not moving.

Anyway, the Italian attack on the island of Malta began.

Next, it depends on the battle of wits and courage on both sides, who can have the last laugh.