 On 11 May , Plagis attempted to down an Italian Reggiane Re.2001 by flying straight at it to ram it ; taking erratic evasive manoeuvres , the Italian aircraft stalled and almost crashed into the sea . Thinking he had downed the enemy , Plagis claimed afterwards to have achieved an aerial victory without firing a shot , but the Italian flight reported no losses . Plagis 's Spitfire was lightly hit during this engagement , and the Rhodesian had some luck returning safely ; he landed with only three gallons ( 14 litres ) of fuel left . On 16 May , Plagis and an English ace , Pilot Officer Peter Nash , destroyed a Bf 109 for a shared kill that became No. 249 Squadron 's 100th victory over Malta . Amid the continuing siege , the need for a major supply convoy to Malta was becoming urgent ; the Governor Lord Gort warned Britain in early June that if no supplies came by August , he would have to surrender to prevent a famine . 
