Toaw Scenario: 1940 - Italian Invasion of Malta

Briefing
Italian Invasion of Malta Version 2 1. UNIT COLORS 1.1. ALLIED British - White on Tan Kings own Malta Rifles - Dark Blue on Tan 1.2. ITALIA Italian Airforce - White on gray Italian Army - Light blue on gray Italian Navy - Black on gray 2. NOTES On the 10th of June 1940, Italy declared itself in the war. Everyone expected Italy to quickly seize Malta. Japaneese Military Attaché to Italy, Toyo Minotubo, cabled to Japan on June 8th that "It is obvious that the first act of war will be the lightning occupation on Malta. The British too, had prepared for that to happen and had planned for defending only Gibraltar. In fact no plans were even made, so much as German's abwehr chief, Admiral Canaris, observed that since his agents could not find information on these plans, he declared that "Italians must be very good at keeping their secrets." Malta was left untouched and the rest is history, at least until the plans for Operation Herkules of 1942. What if Mussolini and Italy's high command had actually planned for war and had planned for the swift invasion of Malta at the outset of hostilities? The question remains on how Italy would have been able to achieve this. While it forces were numerous, it lacked ships able to transport troops and materiel. Even with planning for the merchant fleet not to be caught outside of Italy at the start of the War, these ships were not ideally suited for the task of landings on Malta. The air forces were also ill suited for that kind of operations, with few paratroopers. 2.1. This scenario assumes the following What Ifs Italian invasion forces contain a few forces trained for the assault, including the grouping of all existing paratrooper forces, the naval commandos and assault forces, as well as some air transportable assets. some support will be provided by the italian fleet, but most of the fleet and the support elements will flee as soon as the British fleet approaches. Italian Air support will be provided by the forces in sicily British will have strenghtened Malta defenses by raising local forces and defenses and shipping a few units. 3. SPECIAL ELEMENTS The ports of Valletta and Birzebbugia each increase Italian supply by 5 points and both ports contain supply depots for the italians. It is vital the italians capture one of these locations very early, in order to get supply to their units. The SPEZIA Division is scheduled to air land at Halfar Airfield when it is captured by the italians. ritish units suffer shock effects on turn one. PIero Falotti

On the 10th of June 1940, Italy declared itself in the war. Everyone expected Italy to quickly seize Malta.
Japaneese Military Attaché to Italy, Toyo Minotubo, cabled to Japan on June 8th that "It is obvious that the first act of war will be the lightning occupation on Malta.
The British too, had prepared for that to happen and had planned for defending only Gibraltar.

In fact no plans were even made, so much as German's abwehr chief, Admiral Canaris, observed that since his agents could not find information on these plans, he declared that "Italians must be very good at keeping their secrets."

Malta was left untouched and the rest is history, at least until the plans for Operation Herkules of 1942.

What if Mussolini and Italy's high command had actually planned for war and had planned for the swift invasion of Malta at the outset of hostilities?

The question remains on how Italy would have been able to achieve this. While it forces were numerous, it lacked ships able to transport troops and materiel. Even with planning for the merchant fleet not to be caught outside of Italy at the start of the War, these ships were not ideally suited for the task of landings on Malta. The air forces were also ill suited for that kind of operations, with few paratroopers.

2.1. This scenario assumes the following What Ifs

Italian invasion forces contain a few forces trained for the assault, including the grouping of all existing paratrooper forces, the naval commandos and assault forces, as well as some air transportable assets.
some support will be provided by the italian fleet, but most of the fleet and the support elements will flee as soon as the British fleet approaches.
Italian Air support will be provided by the forces in sicily
British will have strenghtened Malta defenses by raising local forces and defenses and shipping a few units.

The ports of Valletta and Birzebbugia each increase Italian supply by 5 points and both ports contain supply depots for the italians. It is vital the italians capture one of these locations very early, in order to get supply to their units.

The SPEZIA Division is scheduled to air land at Halfar Airfield when it is captured by the italians.

ritish units suffer shock effects on turn one.