Indomitable: ‘Depicts both the military and human story of Operation Pedestal.' Richard Foreman (The Fortress of Malta Book 3)

Our reluctant hero, Edmund Clydesdale, meets some of his greatest adversaries in Willis' epic conclusion. In Harpoon and Bastion, we watched Clyde grapple with his own self-doubt and force himself to 'go to war' against his own nature. Having reasonably earned the title of 'ace', Clyde still struggles with his personal demons but there's no time for internal crises; Malta faces her greatest trial of the war yet. The supply convoy must get through or Malta and the Mediterranean will be lost to the Axis powers.Willis skilfully weaves a tale around the very real events of Operation Pedestal, whilst keeping all the action and character engagement of the prequels. Clyde is a very relatable character - full of self doubt, courageous and striving to do the right thing even though he hates conflict of any kind. He's supported by a great cast of secondary characters including the war correspondent, Vickery. (My personal favourite creation of Willis' who deserves his own book). Whether you're an aviation enthusiast or not, you won't be in any confusion about the planes or what's happening. Willis always manages to make the most technical terminology and procedure read almost like poetry as he paints a clear and accurate picture of events. Nor is it all strategy and wingnuts - there's some laugh out loud lines in here too. I knew very little about this part of WWII prior to reading these books but feel both better informed and keen to find out more now. This is a great conclusion to the series. Highly recommend this gripping series of WWII novellas.

I really enjoyed this book. Having read the first two in the series I was looking forward to it. It is immersive, you really feel for the main character. I felt I understood life aboard a WW2 Aircraft carrier much more after reading it. It is a short book but added to the other two earlier volumes it creates a solid novel.

wasn't what it was going to be, my fault for reading the description

This, bought because I have read and much enjoyed Matthew Willis historical novels and many of his short stories, is a very long way from my usual reading, and all the more refreshing for it. It is the vividly- and clearly-described tale of air-borne battles to protect and ensure the safe arrival in Malta of a convoy of much-needed supplies - Operation Pedestal in August 1942. Details of the control necessitated by both man and machine are highly effective - and because I knew nothing of the outcome the tension was maintained to the end.

A shockingly poor description of this vitally important operation.