1st August

MALTA CAPTURED BY AXIS
After two weeks intensive fighting Malta has fallen into Axis hands as the last remaining pockets of resistance crumbled. This leaves the Allies in North Africa very exposed and the Axis high command immediately took advantage of this to launch a series of armoured raids in North Africa overnight. The German tanks and special forces tested the defences of the African continent but in the end were stopped by British infantry forces in the area.

RUSSIANS WEAKEN AT KURSK
German forces in the East have pushed on again after defeating the latest Soviet counter attack. Perhaps rallied by the recent demolishion of the Allied invasion of Sicily the Axis forces quickly gained ground in the Russian summer heat and are once again threatening Voronezh. Kursk is holding out - but barely.