What if Malta was Invaded?

The publication of the Malta invasion game, Island of Death, will allow players to explore the hypothetical invasion of the island in the summer of 1942 and plan their own attack on or defense of it. Brian L. Knipple writes:

The fall of Tobruk left the Axis on the horns of a dilemma. The plan had been to consolidate the position in the desert after the capture of the fortress and use the time thus spent to take the island of Malta by air and amphibious assault. The British defeat seemed so overwhelming (and it was) to Erwin Rommel, that the Desert Fox became convinced an immediate pursuit of the routed Eighth Army could capture the Nile delta and unhinge the British defense in the Middle East. He demanded the air and logistics support that would come with deferment of the assault on Malta, reasoning, not unrealistically, that the fall of the British base in the delta would leave the island to starve and ultimately surrender..

With the rules that follow, the players can link Island of Death with Alamein to simulate the possible outcome of the original plan and assault Malta before following the retreating British into Egypt. This adds strategic scope to that 1942 summer and the decision made by Rommel to pursue a beaten foe in lieu of securing his line of supply.