An aircraft sighting gave the British an explanation for finding a convoy already located through intercepted communications. Aircraft could be sent in the required direction instead of searching a wide area blindly. Repeated successful sightings encouraged Axis estimates of a much larger air force on Malta than the British actually needed for those patrols. Rotating aircraft through the island could also create temporary increases in available coverage. The visible reconnaissance both supported operations and concealed the source of their accuracy.
Notable Point · 4:54:48-4:56:39
Reconnaissance flights that concealed codebreaking
Carefully directed patrols made accurate convoy intelligence look like the product of numerous search aircraft.