The tail-docking tactic of the Italian Air Force was effective, and the remaining air force successfully delayed the pursuit of the Anglo-French Air Force, buying enough time for the retreat of the main air force.
The two remaining fighter squadrons numbered around 70 aircraft. Faced with the encirclement of hundreds of Anglo-French planes, the outcome went without saying.
After desperately hitting a few Anglo-French aircraft, those 70-odd Italian planes were quickly wiped out by the Anglo-French Air Force.
Watching the receding figures of the Italian Air Force, the British Air Force commander issued a very bold order: to continue the pursuit.
In fact, at this moment the Anglo-French Air Force already held an absolute advantage.
One point could not be ignored, and that was the fuel tank capacity equipped on the fighters. After prolonged combat, the Italian Air Force had not only exhausted its reserve ammunition, but also consumed the vast majority of its fuel.
If they could not return home in time, even if they managed to shake off the pursuit of the Anglo-French planes, they would eventually end up crashing due to running out of fuel.
Naturally, the British and French understood this as well. Operating on the principle of beating a drowning dog, they intended to inflict as much trauma on the Italian Air Force as possible and hurt the Italians to the utmost.
Of course, there was another point, and that was exacting revenge on the Italians.
Although this Italian airstrike had not succeeded, it had effectively destroyed British anti-aircraft positions on the island of Malta and inflicted certain casualties on the British Army.
As the world's foremost superpower, the British Empire was certainly going to retaliate, and the present moment offered a prime opportunity.
Sicily was only a little over 90 kilometers away from Malta,