From the book:
The commandos of 10th MAS set sail for an attack on Malta on the night of July 24, 1941. They did not know they were sailing into a buzz saw of death. They were carried on their mission by the R.N. transport Diana, which carried on deck the nine M.T.M. “Barchino” (Punt) boats and their drivers. These twenty foot speed boats carried a naval mine with electric detonator in the extreme bow of the boat. They had a range of eighty-five miles and top speed of 31 knots. The job of the driver was to aim his boat at the target ship, lock the steering in position and arm the detonator. Then, one-hundred yards from the target, he would throw himself over the back of the boat using the seat back as a flotation device. A patrolling MTS or MTL motorboat would move in and pick up the commando in the water.
4605 words, 13 color and black and white photos.
