The civilian population and the garrison required imports of food, medical supplies, fuel and equipment; the military forces on the island needed reinforcements, ammunition and spare parts. British convoys were escorted to Malta by ships of the Mediterranean Fleet, Force H and aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm and Royal Air Force, during the Battle of the Mediterranean (1940–1943). British and Allied ships were attacked by the Italian "Regia Aeronautica" (Royal Air Force) and "Regia Marina" (Royal Navy) in 1940 and from 1941, by the "Luftwaffe" (German Air Force) and "Kriegsmarine" (German Navy).