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I've played 3 PBEM games as the Allies and in each game I placed an AA unit in Gibraltar and Malta. In the last game I even researched AA to level 5. Since you cannot stack in this game it is impossible to base a fighter in Malta like they had historically. In all three games the Axis player did not declare Vichy and bombed both places until the AA unit was destroyed.

I am wondering if other players have had more success garrisoning Gibraltar and Malta with something like an infantry corps or even an army?

For me this situation highlights two major flaws in the SC series. Specifically the lack of even limited stacking and ground units being destroyed by air attacks. Adding limited stacking would I think have a major effect on SCWAW in the Pacific where you have small islands. I haven't purchased SCWAW because of this.

IMO and experience, it is impossible to defend Malta against a determined and skilled Axis attack. If the Axis player sends all his air units and has the Italian BBs to support them, the AD unit will be destroyed in 2-3 turns, depending on the weather, and then he can choose to invade the island or drop paratroops on it. Bringing in the RN and ACs to support Malta will just result in ships on the bottom of the sea and a slight delay. IIRC this is perhaps more historically accurate - IRL Malta was able to hold out because the Germans diverted resources elsewhere and Hitler didn't think it was worth the effort (but I might be wrong about that).