Air reinforcements for Malta in early October 1940

The decision was made to bring Malta's air strength up to one full squadron of Hurricanes and 12 Martin Maryland maritime reconnaissance aircraft. The chiefs of staff wanted to start bombing Benghazi, but there were not adequate resources available. Blenheims from Egypt were out of range. The No.216 Bomber Transport squadron was needed as transports, so they could only be diverted to bombing by impacting their transport duties. In the first two weeks of October, the Hurricanes in Malta were able to stay active. This is based on the account in Vol.I of the Official History.