lack of NF attempts

[Bruce Dennis]

Reading about the operations in 1941 of British aircraft operating from Malta against Axis convoys, I am struck by the absence of encounters with German or Italian nightfighters. The Allied aircraft were predictable in their actions and routes taken, visibility was seldom an issue, yet they flew unmolested virtually the whole of that year. The raids on Malta were frequent and determined, so it is clear that there were enough Axis aircraft within range, and the British planes doing the most damage to the valuable supply convoys were Swordfish, Wellingtons and Beauforts operating at low to medium heights: basically good targets.

I know developments on the Eastern Front are to be taken into account if looking at the numbers, but that is not what puzzles me: it is the lack of night interceptions even attempted. Or am I missing something?

Bruce