May, 1942. With enemies on all sides, the war-torn island of Malta—a vital strategic position in the Mediterranean—was at the point of defeat. In a desperate attempt to win time for essential supplies to reach the island without being bombed, Flight Lieutenant George Yeoman and a force of 64 Spitfires were flown in from aircraft carriers. Despite the 13 victories already to his credit, Yeoman knew that they would have to fight as never before ... outnumbered by Italian and German Air Forces determined to unleash a continuous onslaught on the island. Hitler is furious that anyone would dare to shield Malta and he has chilling plans... Time is running out to protect the island from invasion and conditions are horrific, crowds of ragged children chase the pilots for pennies and local young men are shot for the smallest of errors. As the haunting beauty of the land is disturbed and shattered by bombs, the pilots endure great uncertainty and realise that grave personal sacrifices must be made if the mission is to be a success. The odds are severely stacked against them. Yeoman is also deeply troubled by memories of his lover, newspaper correspondent Julia Connors who has been swept up in the war effort elsewhere. Disheartened and wondering if he will make it home at all, he doubts he will ever see her again. When he meets Lucia Manduca, daughter of a baron, he makes an impulsive decision during a raid at Lucia’s request which places them both in danger... The fate of Malta is in the hands of the pilots, but will all of them survive and what will be the personal consequences of this tragic war?