28 MAY 1942, Page 4

The gallantry of Malta is one of the magnificent episodes

the war, and the part the island has played in frustrating Axis p in the Mediterranean may well have been a determining facto that vital theatre. But while the island remains dauntless defiant, it has not escaped scatheless, and some of the mili damage appears to be more serious than was realised. The di matic correspondent of The Times stated on Wednesday, wh have seen mentioned nowhere else, that the effect of the Axis attacks has been to prevent the use of the island as a bom base, with the result that convoys can get across from hal Africa with apparent impunity. This situation, so long as it tilts the scales rather heavily against us. It is already no dou material factor in facilitating Rommel's new offensive.

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