hipper
Banned
a
d) I think a Malta seizure is far more likely than anyone cares to admit, same with El Alamein, so I'll give you that. Ways to accomplish this: a surprise amphibious landing using the RM and some Bersaglieri units trained in amphibious warfare. This is indeed quite possible. The defense of Malta in June 1940 was pathetic, and the Royal Navy would not be able to save it in time had Mussolini done a surprise attack. The presence of the RAF in the region, at the height of the France campaign, was minimal. As for El Alamein, one way to bring it about is to increase the port capacity in Libya before the war for quite a while. This would not really trigger any alarms for the British, but really, Malta was not the thing that made the Army in Africa so ill supplied; it was the poor Libyan port capacity. Increase this, and the German/Italian forces do far better and in my view, likely reach the Suez. It is also very possible that the initial Italian attack in 1940 steamrolls the Western Desert Corps had it been done by anyone more competent than Graziani, who was truly a moronic figure.
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This is quite a common misconception
In June 1940 the only way to take Malta was with a parachute / air landing Division already established on Sicily before the outbreak of war. it would have to be backed up with and airforce more efficient and with better aircraft available to the Italians in June 1940
such a force did not exist until mid 1942. although a decision to deploy the forces used in Crete could have been taken in May 1941
a surprise declaration of war followed by a seaborne Invasion would be Impractical because of the huge imbalance of forces in June Italy had 2 refurbished BBs available the French Navy alone more than capable of destroying any seaborne invasion (they were quite active against Italy until the armistice)
The only possible spot to invade the islands by sea were at the other end of the island from Valetta marching troops would not get to the capital before the allied navies destroyed their sources of supply and transformed them into the besieged rather than the besiegers.
I also point out that the RN had a 15" monitor parked in Valetta harbour on the Italian declaration of war. which would nullify any Italian bombardment and direct assault.
regards
Hipper