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The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Vol 1 Indian Military Intervention in East Pakistan Asia @ War No.18 ISBN : 9781913118631 Helion & Company via Casemate UK India and Pakistan have had a fractured relationship and many conflicts since the countries were partitioned post WWII. Partition was rushed by all sides with the former colonial no longer having the will or finances to guide a successful and conflict free partition. Both India & Pakistan were also impatient in wanting the British to leave. The whole affair was done in haste without real consideration to some of the finer points, including the large elephant left in the room of Kashmir. There have been no less that 5 major wars, a continuing insurgency and simmering rivalries to this day with both states possessing some from of Nuclear capacity. In partition Pakistan was divided into East & West Pakistan. Despite being "Pakistan" these two areas had little in common with each other apart from being predominately Muslim. West Pakistan was six time larger than the East, The West was the centre of political power , where as the East had the rich agricultural lands of the large delta and accounted for 75% of all foreign earnings. The West in Effect treated the East as a Colony to exploit much like the former colonial rulers had done. This lead the East to Declare independence. India saw helping East Pakistan as a means to both cement its status in the region and to shift the balance of power, plus im sure they liked to use it as a club to hit the old enemy with. Islamabad also miscalculated that it might receive either Chinese or American support against India, neither of which they received and in general the UN was pretty ambivalent to the whole affair. Originally the Indians supported the initial East Pakistan insurgency, however this lead to a full on invasion prompting Pakistani attacks on India. The Indians quickly over ran East Pakistan and only then did the USSR & USA force a ceasefire. Thus the State of Bangladesh was formed out of East Pakistan. The book is 74 pages long with many black & white photographs used throughout. There are five pages of colour profiles and one of colour maps. The book considers the historical back ground to the conflict, forces garrisoned in East Pakistan, The role of foreign powers, Air & Naval forces, India's initial support; and then the Indian Invasion. Conclusion This book will give the reader a good understanding of the History of conflict and how the State of Bangladesh came into being. It is by no means a comprehensive tome on this as its only 74 pages but it will give the reader a broad understanding of the region, the conflict, those fighting it; and the weapons they used. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of