Air Base Resource Hexes

[Diplomaticus]

Question: I've read the rules in the manual re: Air Base Resource Hexes. It says that "It is not possible
for ground units to enter these new resource hexes." But is it possible for ground or naval units to *attack* an airforce unit on one of these hexes? For example, I believe I've tried as the Italians to use shore bombardment from a BB to attack the Malta fighter, but the game didn't allow me to attack it. Does this apply to all of these special hexes, or just Malta's airbase? How about Gibraltar's airbase--can ground units in Spain attack air units on that hex?

I'm curious, too, to hear from the designers about why these hexes are (as they seem to be) immune from naval attack. I've actually been to Gibraltar, and the air strip there looks quite out-in-the-open and vulnerable to attack from the Spanish mainland. Maybe the Brits had special fortified/underground hangars for their planes?

[avoran]

You can attack the Gibraltar airbase from land. I've done it. I think my opponent was surprised.
Actually, so was I.

[neverwalkalone]

You can attack the Gibraltar airbase from land. I've done it. I think my opponent was surprised.
Actually, so was I.

Yes I sure was, didn't expect para's. I through they were ground units too..

[Diplomaticus]

Okay, so results in my most recent game playing Allies confirms that, yes, the airbase at Gibraltar can be attacked by land.

That still leaves unanswered why it is apparently impossible to shore bombard from, say, an Italian BB the airbase at Malta. Anybody know this?

[PionUrpo]

Airbases of Malta, Rhodes etc. can be attacked by ships.