Malta was an offensive base as well as a fortress waiting for relief. Aircraft, submarine flotillas, destroyers, and Force K used the island to attack Axis merchant shipping and naval forces. Very large totals are cited for ships and personnel lost at sea, with a warning that some figures cover the wider Mediterranean campaign and supporting operations rather than Malta alone. Holding the base mattered because its striking forces could impose losses on the Axis supply system.
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Force K, submarines, and aircraft strike from Malta
Malta functioned as an offensive base whose aircraft, submarines, destroyers, and Force K surface ships attacked Axis shipping across the Mediterranean.