Context Matters

While advancing their cause, airpower advocates often cite the examples of Malta and Pantelleria. These two small islands in the Mediterranean provide stories of seemingly decisive applications of airpower in World War II. Malta is a story of an unsinkable aircraft carrier, preserving British offensive capability which interdicted the Axis lines of communication to North Africa. It also provides an example of airpower's suppressive effects, demonstrated by the Luftwaffe's concentration of firepower on the island and the subsequent reduction of the RAF's ability to operate effectively. The story of Pantelleria demonstrates the calculated promise of airpower--its reputed ability to mathematically subdue the defenses of an island. After a short, but intense, bombing campaign, the island's garrison surrendered prior to the arrival of the amphibious assault force. This thesis is an attempt to critically examine the stories told by airpower advocates. In doing so, it explores the context surrounding the Mediterranean theater. It explains the oscillating nature of Malta's interdiction campaigns and the Axis responses. Finally, the airpower success at Pantelleria is examined for both its utility and its shortfalls. The findings are simple. Airpower's effects should be discussed in context. The ability of airpower to affect strategic, operational, and tactical events is clear. However, to say that airpower is independently decisive is a dangerous road to travel.