{"product_id":"second-sirte-1942-angus-konstam-9781472867223","title":"Second Sirte 1942: The Desperate Battle to Relieve Malta","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Second Battle of Sirte was a key naval clash in the Mediterranean, and a vital moment in the struggle for Malta's survival.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eMalta was the key to the hard-fought naval campaign being waged in the Mediterranean, a link in the vital Axis supply lines between Italy and North Africa. Struggling under a sustained Axis bombing campaign, Malta depended on convoys of supplies to survive. Axis air formations dominated the skies, making any attempt to relieve the island extremely hazardous. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn December 1941, a convoy from the east led to an inconclusive clash with the Italians at the First Battle of Sirte. In late March 1942, when the British tried again, the situation escalated. The decisive clash came on the afternoon of 22 March. British destroyers launched a series of spirited torpedo attacks against the Italian battleships, and by the evening, the Italians broke off the action. However, at dawn, Axis aircraft appeared and a series of intense air attacks followed, forcing the British to call off the operation. All four merchant ships in the convoy were lost. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThis highly illustrated title by renowned naval historian Angus Konstam demonstrates the importance of radar, intelligence and airpower, and above all determination and grit in the face of a superior enemy. It remains one of the most daring naval battles of the war.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Angus Konstam\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 147286722X\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781472867223\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Osprey Publishing (UK)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 07\/15\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 96\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.00lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.76h x 7.24w x 1.00d","brand":"Angus Konstam","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46311242727679,"sku":"9781472867223","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_09fb3e4b-1bc0-42b5-b812-1855267065aa.jpg?v=1730888937","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/second-sirte-1942-angus-konstam-9781472867223","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}