 Plagis was promoted in the field to flight lieutenant on 4 June 1942 and transferred to No. 185 Squadron to command " B " Flight . He shot down two Re.2001s two days later to bring his tally of victories to ten ( thereby fulfilling his pledge following Leggo 's death ) , and destroyed a Bf 109 on 7 June . A month later , he received a Bar to his DFC , having been adjudged to have shown " exceptional skill and gallantry in combat ... Undeterred by superior numbers of attacking aircraft , he presses home his attacks with great determination . " Plagis left Malta when his tour expired on 7 July 1942 , flying first to Gibraltar , then the UK . The British finally delivered vital supplies to Malta on 15 August with Operation Pedestal ( known in Malta as the " Santa Marija Convoy " ) . 
