Operation Oppidan (i)

'Oppidan' (i) was the British second of a two-part reinforcement of Malta’s air defences with Supermarine Spitfire fighters delivered from the flight deck of the US fleet carrier Wasp and British fleet carrier Eagle (17/18 May 1942).

The RAF element of the operation was 'Hansford', and the entire undertaking delivered some 57 aircraft on 7/9 May in 'Bowery' and another 16 aircraft in 'Oppidan' (i).