What do you think?
Rate this book
Osprey Duel #60
Spitfire V vs C.202 Folgore: Malta 1942
The inability of the Italians and Germans to invade Malta proved decisive for Allied victory in the Mediterranean during World War II, as the islands provided the Allies with a base from which to project air power.
Early Italian efforts to pound the island into submission were supplemented by major German forces from January 1942 and in a few weeks the situation for the defenders reached a critical stage; in response, in March 1942 the first Spitfires were delivered to Malta. That April the Macchi C.202 was introduced to combat over Malta, the fighter downing its first Spitfire on 2 June.
Throughout the summer of 1942, C.202s fought over Malta escorting tiny formations of Cant Z.1007s, SM.79s and Ju 88s. The fighting subsided in August and September, but grew in strength with the arrival of more C.202s. In October the Regia Aeronautica could muster three Gruppi with a total of 74 C.202s. For ten days the Italians pressed a relentless attack before attrition brought the offensive to a halt.
Throughout the bombing campaign the British were able to supply Malta with ever increasing numbers of Spitfires. By the end of June air commanders felt secure enough to pass one of the Spitfire squadrons to Egypt. Here, the Spitfire V would again encounter the C.202 in the long drive to expel the Germans and Italians from North Africa, then Sicily and Italy in 1943.
Fully illustrated with specially commissioned artwork, this is the engaging story of the clash between two of World War II's finest piston-engine fighters in the skies over the Mediterranean and North Africa.
Early Italian efforts to pound the island into submission were supplemented by major German forces from January 1942 and in a few weeks the situation for the defenders reached a critical stage; in response, in March 1942 the first Spitfires were delivered to Malta. That April the Macchi C.202 was introduced to combat over Malta, the fighter downing its first Spitfire on 2 June.
Throughout the summer of 1942, C.202s fought over Malta escorting tiny formations of Cant Z.1007s, SM.79s and Ju 88s. The fighting subsided in August and September, but grew in strength with the arrival of more C.202s. In October the Regia Aeronautica could muster three Gruppi with a total of 74 C.202s. For ten days the Italians pressed a relentless attack before attrition brought the offensive to a halt.
Throughout the bombing campaign the British were able to supply Malta with ever increasing numbers of Spitfires. By the end of June air commanders felt secure enough to pass one of the Spitfire squadrons to Egypt. Here, the Spitfire V would again encounter the C.202 in the long drive to expel the Germans and Italians from North Africa, then Sicily and Italy in 1943.
Fully illustrated with specially commissioned artwork, this is the engaging story of the clash between two of World War II's finest piston-engine fighters in the skies over the Mediterranean and North Africa.
80 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Donald Nijboer
39 books4 followersDonald Nijboer is a freelance writer who lives in Toronto, Canada. He teaches courses in radio and broadcasting at Humber College of Technology and Advanced Learning.
His books have been published by the Boston Mills Press and Osprey Publishing.
He has also written articles for Flight Journal, Aviation History and Aeroplane Monthly.
His books have been published by the Boston Mills Press and Osprey Publishing.
He has also written articles for Flight Journal, Aviation History and Aeroplane Monthly.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 31, 2014
This book offers a coherent and concise comparison of the relative merits and deficiencies of 2 of the finest fighter planes to see combat during the Second World War. The Spitfire V (the most widely produced progeny of the family of Spitfires whose outstanding combat performance against the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain during the summer and autumn of 1940 ensured its legendary status) arrived in Malta at a very crucial time in the war when a British defeat in the North African/Mediterranean Region seemed all but certain. Malta was the lynch pin that helped to keep Britain in the war.
On the Axis side, there was the Macchi C202 Folgore, the creation of the great Italian aeronautical engineer Dr. Mario Castoldi. From the time of its initial combat deployment with the Regia Aeronautica in the Spring of 1941 to its commitment (in larger numbers) in the Siege of Malta the following year, the C202 went head-to-head against the Spitfire V in some of the deadliest aerial combat clashes of the war above the Mediterranean.
Like the other books of the Osprey Duel Series, this one is rich in photographs and illustrative diagrams of both aircraft. The aviation enthusiast who delights in tales of derring-do will love this book. And even if the reader has only a general interest in the Second World War, "Spitfire V vs C202 Folgore: Malta 1942" can be easily read in the course of a few hours.
On the Axis side, there was the Macchi C202 Folgore, the creation of the great Italian aeronautical engineer Dr. Mario Castoldi. From the time of its initial combat deployment with the Regia Aeronautica in the Spring of 1941 to its commitment (in larger numbers) in the Siege of Malta the following year, the C202 went head-to-head against the Spitfire V in some of the deadliest aerial combat clashes of the war above the Mediterranean.
Like the other books of the Osprey Duel Series, this one is rich in photographs and illustrative diagrams of both aircraft. The aviation enthusiast who delights in tales of derring-do will love this book. And even if the reader has only a general interest in the Second World War, "Spitfire V vs C202 Folgore: Malta 1942" can be easily read in the course of a few hours.
June 22, 2025
This text from Osprey Publishing, perhaps the most significant English language publisher of military history monographs, is a worthy addition to its list and a solid effort at exploring one of the key campaigns of World War Two from a somewhat unique perspective. Spitfire V vs C.202 Folgore: Malta 1942 is in part an attempt to examine the Italian contribution to Axis aerial efforts during World War II, as well as an argument in favour of the quality of the Macchi C. 202 Folgore. The author, Donald Nijboer, more than adequately achieves both these tasks and in the process makes sure that those readers who are interested in the relevant historical issues he addresses will be satisfied. This is a worthy study of a niche WW2 subject.
The structure of the book is logical, starting with the development history of the two specific fighter aircraft, including pre-war prototypes and other earlier British and Italian fighters, and an analysis of the Royal Air Force and Regia Aeronautica up to the 1942 battles over Malta. Nijboer offers a clear and informative narrative that is very helpful in understanding why the two air forces approached air combat, and how the two fighters became so notable for their qualities. Assisted by copious illustrations Spitfire V vs C.202 Folgore: Malta 1942 makes the most of its limited length.
Nijboer goes into suitable detail as to the actual sorties and combats fought by the Spitfires and Folgores, and it must be said that his work on this is probably the most authoritative as one could expect on the subject. As part of his narrative the author includes some important and interesting insights into the experiences of the pilots, with profiles of leading aces such as Canadian George Beurling and Italian Furio Niclot added for more narrow historical focus. This ensures that the reader gets a very detailed view of the book's subject.
The most valuable aspect of Spitfire V vs C.202 Folgore: Malta 1942 is that it ensures that the somewhat neglected subject of the Regia Aeronautica's fighter efforts in the specific context of the Malta campaign is given significant attention, and for those readers who are intrigued or perhaps even armchair experts on the subject, Nijboer does a true service. It is not the kind of book that will appeal to many, even for those of us who are addicted to reading about WW2. However, like so many Osprey books, it fills a gap that deserves to be addressed.
The structure of the book is logical, starting with the development history of the two specific fighter aircraft, including pre-war prototypes and other earlier British and Italian fighters, and an analysis of the Royal Air Force and Regia Aeronautica up to the 1942 battles over Malta. Nijboer offers a clear and informative narrative that is very helpful in understanding why the two air forces approached air combat, and how the two fighters became so notable for their qualities. Assisted by copious illustrations Spitfire V vs C.202 Folgore: Malta 1942 makes the most of its limited length.
Nijboer goes into suitable detail as to the actual sorties and combats fought by the Spitfires and Folgores, and it must be said that his work on this is probably the most authoritative as one could expect on the subject. As part of his narrative the author includes some important and interesting insights into the experiences of the pilots, with profiles of leading aces such as Canadian George Beurling and Italian Furio Niclot added for more narrow historical focus. This ensures that the reader gets a very detailed view of the book's subject.
The most valuable aspect of Spitfire V vs C.202 Folgore: Malta 1942 is that it ensures that the somewhat neglected subject of the Regia Aeronautica's fighter efforts in the specific context of the Malta campaign is given significant attention, and for those readers who are intrigued or perhaps even armchair experts on the subject, Nijboer does a true service. It is not the kind of book that will appeal to many, even for those of us who are addicted to reading about WW2. However, like so many Osprey books, it fills a gap that deserves to be addressed.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews