Complex sentence: In December 1877, Simmons, chief of Malta defenses, was called to London to discuss this issue and he asked for four guns comparable to "Duilios" at 3,000 yards.
Split into simpler sentences: In December 1877, Simmons, chief of Malta defenses, was called to London to discuss the issue. He asked for four guns comparable to "Duilios" at 3,000 yards.