I think Aldo Busuttil (January 21) is quite right to express concern over the future of the magazine Malta at War of which I was editor (as well as researcher, compiler and author) for so many years.

At the beginning of September the publisher refused to carry in the next issue, which was ready and due to be sent to the printers, a short book review with a relevant extract from a book on bomb disposal in Malta during the war which I, as editor, had promised its author in appreciation of her interest in freely sending me records of the siege of Malta which she came upon in her research and which she knew I would be interested in.

When I e-mailed the publisher, to put in writing that my connection with him would be prejudiced if he stopped me from carrying the book review in that issue and not keeping my word, he concluded rather hastily that I had resigned, presumably as he was adamant in his stand. I had worded the e-mail carefully in the hope of talking the matter over once again. He failed to take the hint.

When he gave notice to the very able designer with whom I was paging each issue with such dedication, especially the battle maps which needed extensive research and careful compilation, and who knew where all the records were kept in the computer, it sealed the issue as this made it impossible to continue producing the magazine as before. He told me he would do the magazine himself. When I told him he would not be able or have the time to continue in the same manner as mine he was very uncomplimentary and when I said he had two complete issues on hold which he should send to the printer (this as far back as September), he refused. These included a full, detailed account of the bombing of St Publius church at Floriana, including a personal story by the last survivor from under the crypt, and a detailed appraisal of the Axis plans for the air and sea assault on Malta.

I had ready or planned various stories to conclude volume six, not least the Borg Pisani episode, the tragic loss of the submarine Olympus (with new details worked out with the Submarine Museum at Gosport), the two vital convoys Vigorous and Harpoon, followed by Pedestal, and the final trouncing of the Luftwaffe in October 1942, and many, many more. I also had in mind a very special person to write the foreword of the last volume.

And there, unfortunately, the matter has rested.