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The Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 From Cold War To Modern Day ISBN : 9788395157523 Kagero via Casemate UK The Leopard 1 project was designed to replace the German Army's reliance on us Built tanks following its reformation. Originally a Joint programme with the French who were later dropped the Leopard 1 would enter into service in 1965 with many design changes following. Over 6500 tanks and utility versions were built and supplied to many different European nations, and further afield. The German Army would retire its Leopard 1s in 2003, though some serve to this day in other nations. The Leopard 2 was developed to succeed the Leopard 1 in the late 1970s. This would feature better armour and a more powerful gun. Like the leopard 1 there have been many sub variants since its inception. Again like the Leopard 1 the tanks have been sold to other nations. The main version of the Leopard 2 is now the 2A6. The latest incarnations are the 2A7 (an upgrade of Dutch 2A6s) and the Leopard 2A7+ which has been designed to operate in both low & high intensity conflicts with more emphasis being on mine/IED & RPG protection, and addition of remote weapons stations. This volume is A4 soft back in format and has 115 pages. The first 39 deal with the tanks themselves while the remainder deal with making models of the tanks. There are 4 pages of profiles at the rear of the book. Conclusion Given that the title is Leopard 1 & 2 I was expecting a reference book on the two types not a "modelling book". The first 39 pages deal with the tanks themselves (which is not a great deal given the number of different types and operators) while the remainder deal with making models of the tanks. There is a build of a Tamiya Leopard 2A6 in Polish service, and a Tamyia Dutch Leopard 2A6. Given that we have good kits of all the Leopard 1 & 2 variants plus the Gepard from different main stream manufactures it seems strange that Kagero have included 2 builds of the same kit, even more so as the Title is Leopard 1 & 2 I would have expected to see a build of both types, not 2 of the later. Review sample courtesy of

War of Intervention in Angola Volume 1: Angolan & Cuban Forces at War 1975-76 ISBN : 9781911628194 Helion & Company via Casemate UK It would seem depressing that throughout the 1970s and beyond that there was some kind of war in Angola. In 1975 the decades long war seemed was still short of any conclusion This was not helped by the fact there were three rebel movements fighting for supremacy with South Africa, America, Zaire, Cuba, and the Soviet Union being involved as well. The South African intervention in Angola, and the Cuban involvement are perhaps the most well known, however the CIA were actively trying to destabilise the country, in part to recoup some prestige following the event in Vietnam. This book concentrates on the lesser known period of the final stages of withdrawal by the Portuguese Colonial forces, the build up of the three insurgent forces; and the initial intervention by Cuban forces in the region. The book looks at the forces on both sides of the conflict, some history of the region and how the main battles were fought. This volume is A4 soft back in format and 80 pages. There are black and white photographs throughout with 2 main colour maps, and 6 pages of colour profiles. Conclusion This book should provide readers with a more complete understanding of the of the early conflict in Angola. Recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Romanian Armoured Forces in WWII Library of Armed Conflicts 05 ISBN : 9788395157530 Kagero via Casemate UK Roumania officially opted for a neutral stance at the outset of WWII. However the Kingdom had traditionally looked to the UK and France as it allies in Europe. The developing situation in 1940 with the fall of France and maybe Britain, along with a rise in Fascism led the Kingdom to look for an alliance with Germany, however they were unaware that German had already promised parts of Roumania to the Russians. With things going badly for them at home they officially joined the Axis in November 1940. They would become the largest force from outside Germany to participate in the invasion of Russia. When the Allies started bombing Romania, and with the Russians closing in popular support for the Axis began to fail and King Michael lead a coup d'état in August 1944 to take back control of the country and switch sides to the Allied cause. Despite this the country was largely dismantled after the war. They lost territory to Bulgaria, and the Soviet Union, but regained Northern Transylvania from Hungary. As well as fielding some indigenous designs the Armoured force comprised of mainly captured equipment, or that imported from Germany. There is a wealth of black & white photos of the forces in action and details of equipment they used, most of it indigenous to the country. This indigenous Armour is also examined in the book. The book also examines foreign vehicles use. This volume is A5 soft back in format and an 125 pages. Conclusion This book should provide readers with a better understanding of the Armoured forces of Romania and they equipment they used. The wealth of photographs, together with drawings and colour plates will be of great use to the modeller, and of great interest to anyone studying one of the seemingly less well known Axis powers. Highly Recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Operation Typhoon - The Assault on Moscow 1941 ISBN : 9781612006710 Casemate Illustrated - Casemate UK Operation Barbarossa initially went very well for the German High Command and by the end of September 1941 they turned their attentions to the main prize of Moscow. It was hoped that by capturing Moscow this would end the war in the East. On paper the Germans it would seem had far more men and equipment on hand to accomplish this against that the Soviets had to defend with. However like many areas of warfare this initial assessment would not help them. Marshal Zhukov had now begun to get more reinforcements and supplies. The Germans on the other had were now at the end of a long supply line. The Russians were also prepared to fight to death to defend their capital something the Germans may have under estimated. This book in the Casemate Illustrated series combines text, pictures, and maps to bring us the Germans Assault on Moscow and the Russians defence. The book goes into details of the planning, and execution of their mission, and subsequent actions until they the Germans withdrew. There are profiles of the tanks, vehicles and aircraft which took part. The book is A5 in format, 128 pages long and contains many contemporary photographs. Conclusion If you're interested in the war in the east, and where the Germans were finally stopped then this is a good read. Highly Recommended. Review sample courtesy of

TopDrawings 59 - Heinkel He.111 Vol.2 (9788365437365) Kagero Publishing via Casemate UK The Heinkel He.111 was one of the most common sights over BoB era WWII Britain, and it remains popular with modellers today. We have kits in all scales for example from Airfix in 1:72, through the new ICM kits in 1:48, and the older 1:32 kits from Revell. The TopDrawings series majors on scale plans, which is the main thrust, but also includes a little background information, some pertinent profiles, and often a bonus of decals or masks targeted at the subject matter in hand. With this edition, you get what is referred to as a poster, but is actually an atmospheric A4 print of a camouflaged He.111 releasing a V1 bomb during a night mission, painted by Arkadiusz Wróbel. The book is written in English on the left of the page, with Czech on the right, which translates to top and bottom for the captions to the various drawings within. The book itself is bound in a card cover and has 28 pages, with one at the rear are devoted to advertising the rest of the Kagero range, but in addition you get two sheets of loose A3 plans printed on both sides in 1:48 and 1:72 of the H series with the glazed nose replacing the stepped nose originally fitted to the early aircraft. The first half of the bound plans show the variants up to the H-18 and includes Hs.293, Bv.246 and V1 carrying airframes, plus torpedo and balloon-cutter versions. The four pages of profiles show five H airframes, plus an overhead plan on the third page (and another two on the rear cover), after which the plans begin again, taking it up to the H-22 with detail diagrams of various points of interest on the airframe, munitions carried and of course the awesome Zwilling. The final section of the plans shows the evolution of the aircraft through the H series, with differences marked out in grey and captions discussing the nature of the changes. The most unusual of these variants for me was the EDL 131 equipped remote turret that was fitted to some H-22s instead of the partially glazed top gun. I now have a hankering to convert one of my 111s to this mark. Conclusion These books are essential for the modeller that likes to compare their models against scale plans, and wants them to be as accurate as possible, with the print a nice bonus that could be mounted and displayed on a wall to annoy your family. We reviewed Volume 1 here in the summer, which covered the earlier models. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Rogožarski IK-3 Monographs Special Edition in 3D ISBN : 9788365437808 Kagero via Casemate UK By the mid 1930s it was evident that the monoplane designs of the time were going to supersede the current biplanes. This was evident to the then Yugoslav Forces. The Rogožarski IK3 was to be low wing monoplane designed by Ljubomir Ilić, Kosta Sivčev and Slobodan Zrnić as a successor to the high winged Ikarus IK-2. The main armament was to be a hub firing 20mm cannon augmented by two fuselage mounted & synchronised Machine Guns. Due to delays only 6 aircraft were operational by the time German Forces invaded in 1941 out of a planned 48. 2 Aircraft survived the invasion and were destined for the puppet Independent State Of Croatia, however due to subterfuge by the resistance the Germans were fooled into scrapping these. The IK-3 design would later form the basis of the post war Ikarus S-49 following the 1948 Tito/Stalin split. This book from Kagero has 182 pages, 194 colour profiles, 130 archival photos, 28 modelling plans, and a fold out A2 double sided set of plans. The 3D drawings are especially detailed. Conclusion This is very much a complete look at largely forgotten Rogožarski IK3. The aircraft was a good one but produced too late, and in too few a number to make any difference. Highly Recommended. Review sample courtesy of

MiG-23 Flogger In the Middle East In service with Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Libya and Syria 1973-2018 ISBN : 9781912390328 Helion & Company via Casemate UK Designed from the same basic airframes, the Mig-23 and Mig-27 share a lot of parts, with a strong familial resemblance, and when the Mig-23BN ground-attack variant started to experience negative feedback for its performance, the further development was redesignated as the Mig-27, perhaps to eschew the reputation. The Mig-23 was originally to be a fighter interceptor, but during the development process the need for a fighter-bomber was identified, and the Ground-Attack variant of the Mig-23 was born as the B, or Flogger-F as NATO call them. The Mig-23BN was the half-way house between the 23 and 27, and was produced in large numbers in the 70s and 80s, with over 600 built in total. It was a modernised version of the B, equipped with the latest engines and hardware, plus newer navigation and attack systems to help it carry out its role, but it was still too much of a fighter for many. Due to its simpler operating systems the MiG-23 was a perfect replacement with many air arms in the Middle East. The book looks at aspects of operation of the Flogger by Middle Eastern Air Arms. Included is what they call an "authoritative account" are the aircrafts service in Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Libya and Syria. The book looks at combat operations against the US Navy by Libya, use in the Iran/Iraq war, later the Gulf war; the use by Syria against Israel, and use in the ongoing Syrian civil war. This volume is A4 soft back in format and 72 pages. There are black and white photographs throughout with maps, and 8 pages of colour profiles. Many of the photos are previously unpublished and show not only camouflage patterns but unit insignia and aircraft markings. Conclusion This book should provide readers with a good look at the MiG-23 as used by these Middle Eastern Air Arms allied to the Soviets. Highly Recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Operation Market Garden ISBN : 9781612005867 Casemate UK WWII Historic Battlefields I think I like a lot of people know about the Battle of the Bulge, but only generally from watching a few films and the excellent Band Of Brothers min series. However like a lot of things there is much more to it once start to get under the surface. By late 1944 the front was all but stationary as the allies came up against the defences of the German Westwall. Mongomery was to propose an audacious plan to circumvent these defences and make a direct thrust to Berlin. Using the newly created 1st Allied Airborne Army to capture key bridges which the British XXX Corps would use to make an advance into Germany. Unfortunately the plan was flawed, its execution imperfect; and the German Army was far from being beaten at this time. While the film "A Bridge Too Far" was indeed was a cinematic triumph, from a historical point of it provided an unbalanced view that historians have struggled to correct ever since. This book from Casemate looks at the complete battlefield. It is A4 hardback with 192 pages. It is lavishly printed through out with Black and white contemporary photos, complemented by colour photos of the areas today; and many colour maps of the battles which took place. The authors have looked at all aspect of the battles. The photos also look at the many memorials which litter the towns in the area, and which are still kept in excellent condition to this day. Conclusion This is very much a complete look at Operation Market Garden, the photos and maps show how the battle panned out, and the modern photos show in some cases how little things have changed. If you are interested in WWII history then this book is a must. For the military modeller the wealth of contemporary photos give a very good idea of how the vehicles and troops looked at this time. As with companion books on the Normandy & Ardennes Battles the Authors provided a balanced and up to date look at this important if ultimately unsuccessful battle of WWII. Highly Recommended. Review sample courtesy of

TopDrawings 57 – Messerschmitt Bf.110 Vol.1 (9788365437990) Kagero Publishing via Casemate UK The Messerschmitt Bf.110 was a pre-war design for a heavy fighter, but stayed on as one of the most common sights over BoB era WWII Britain and beyond, soldiering on to the end of the war, especially on the Eastern front despite its shortcomings. We have kits in all scales for example from Airfix in 1:72, older Revell and newer Eduard kits in 1:48, and the older Dragon kit in 1:32. The TopDrawings series majors on scale plans, which is the main thrust, but also includes a little background information, some pertinent profiles, and often a bonus of decals or masks targeted at the subject matter in hand. With this edition, you get a set of pre-cut vinyl canopy masks for the Eduard kit in 1:72 and 1:48 scales. The book is written in English on the left of the page, with Czech on the right, which translates to top and bottom for the captions to the various drawings within. The book itself is bound in a card cover and has 28 pages, but in addition you get a sheet of loose A2 plans printed on both sides in 1:48 of the B C and D series as well as lots of wings and fuselage cross-sections and a couple of scrap drawings showing additional details. The first half of the bound plans show the variants up to the mid C range, The four pages of profiles show three notable C-1, C-2 and C-4 airframes, plus an additional D-0 and D-1 on the back cover. The plans continue with D-1, D-2 and D-3 variants with scrap diagrams for other equipment fits, with the final three pages showing the evolution of the aircraft through D-3, with differences marked out in grey and captions discussing the nature of the changes. Conclusion These books are essential for the modeller that likes to compare their models against scale plans, and wants them to be as accurate as possible, also for those with a terrible memory for variations between types, with the masks a useful bonus if you happen to model in those scales. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Air Battles over the Baltic 1941 9781911512561 Helion & Company via Casemate UK When we think of the war Between Russia and Germany attention is drawn to such places as Kursk, or Stalingrad however the Baltic region was the scene of heavy conflict at this time. Both sides had considerable amounts of aircraft based in the region though not all of it would be considered "front line", indeed you could find An R-5SSS biplanes facing Hs 126s. There was though plenty of front line aircraft such as the Bf 109 and MiG-3s available as well. The book looks in depth at the following areas; Soviet aviation alignment in the Baltic just prior to war. A chronicle of events in 1941. The Luftwaffe alignment, and a comparison with the Soviets. The battle in the air over the region. As well as the air battle and the aircraft involved the book looks at the Commanders involved, groud support, anti aircraft artillery and even such areas as the availability of supplies, and claimed verses actual losses. The text has a large number of black & white photographs throughout. The book is A5 Hardback with over 500 photographs, 28 table, 14 colour maps and 111 coloured aircraft profiles. Over 10 years of research has gone into this book by renowned Russian Author Mikhail Timin and it shows. This is a comprehensive look at the Air War over the Baltic in the first year of War between these 2 former Allies. Conclusion This is an excellently researched book bursting with pictures, maps, profiles and tables. This should be of interest to the aviation historian and the modeller. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Panther Project Vol.2 Engine & Turret 9780993564642 AFV Modeller via Casemate UK This is the second volume of The Research Squad looking at the restoration of Panther Ausf,A 158134 in the Wheatcroft collection. This volume looks at the restoration of the original Maybach Engine, and the turret. Also included is some historical data, a hull walkaround, a look at the engine compartment, the fighting compartment, the turret exterior, turret interior, turret front, stations inside the turret, the gun; and other turret details. The book also looks into Zimmerit, how it was originally made, and how it was replicated. There are at the rear of the book a series or technical drawings of various systems. Conclusion The rebuild of Panther 158134 is an extensive painstaking one and the quality of the documentation here shows that. Any German Armour fan and modeller will be well placed for detail with this book and the others in the series. It is packed full of detailed photographs with supporting text and drawings. Highly recommended for the German AFV fan, Panther nut (like myself) and the AFV Modeller (so much so that I purchase Vol.1). Review sample courtesy of

TopDrawings 56 - Heinkel He.111 Vol.1 (9788365437969) Kagero Publishing via Casemate UK The Heinkel He.111 was one of the most common sights over BoB era WWII Britain, and it remains popular with modellers today. We have kits in all scales for example from Airfix in 1:72, through the new ICM kits in 1:48, and the older 1:32 kits from Revell. The TopDrawings series majors on scale plans, which is the main thrust, but also includes a little background information, some pertinent profiles, and often a bonus of decals or masks targeted at the subject matter in hand. With this edition, you get a set of canopy masks for the Airfix kit in 1:72, and a 1:48 set of balkenkreuz markings worn on the wings and fuselage of most German bombers. The book is written in English on the left of the page, with Czech on the right, which translates to top and bottom for the captions to the various drawings within. The book itself is bound in a card cover and has 24 pages, although three at the rear are devoted to advertising the rest of the Kagero range, but in addition you get three sheets of loose A3 plans printed on both sides in 1:48 and 1:72 of the B and F series as well as the more familiar P series with the glazed nose replacing the stepped nose originally fitted to the early aircraft. The first half of the bound plans show the variants up to the G-3 "Augsburg" passenger aircraft, which I hadn't previously been aware of. The four pages of profiles show three notable P airframes, plus an overhead plan on the third page, after which the plans begin again with detail diagrams of various points of interest on the airframe. The final section of the plans shows the evolution of the aircraft through gestation and its early years up to the P-4, with differences marked out in grey and captions discussing the nature of the changes. Another profile of a well-known P-2 airframe is printed on the back cover for good measure. Conclusion These books are essential for the modeller that likes to compare their models against scale plans, and wants them to be as accurate as possible, with the masks a useful bonus if you happen to model in those scales. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

The Habsburgs' Wings 1914 Vol 1 ISBN : 9788365437792 Kagero & Company via Casemate UK When we think of the Air War of WWI we initially think of The Squadrons of The Royal Flying Corps in battles with the Jastas of Imperial German Flying Corps over the trenches of the Western Front; of the Air Craft of The Royal Naval Air Service operating against the Marineflieger. WWI through was just as the name suggest a World War and the Air War was carried on in many different places. One such forgotten front in aviation terms was the Eastern front, and in particular the Balkans. This book aims to re-address this by looking at Austro-Hungarian Aviation in the Great War. Volume 1 will look at the first Campaigns of WWII. The Book looks at The Birth of the Austro-Hungarian Air Force, and the Order of Battle of military aviation of Austro-Hungary in 1914. It is A5 Hardback in format with 154 pages. There are many black and white photographs of the period along with some colour ones of paintings and the present day geography. Conclusion This publication brings the untold story of early Austro-Hungarian Air operations to light, something which many of us probably have never even heard of. The text is well written and there are plenty of photographs in the book many of which have probably never been seen before. Highly recommended to the WWI fan, and fans of the early days of aviation alike. We await with interest to see what Vol 2 brings. Review sample courtesy of

Guerrilla Nightmare Luftwaffe Stukas at War Against Tito's Partisans in Yugoslavia 1941-1945 ISBN : 9788365437785 Kagero & Company via Casemate UK The Ju-87 Stuka was conceived as a dive bomber in the early 1930s and proved itself in the Spanish Civil war, then later in the Blitzkrieg in Western Europe. However the Battle of Britain would show that the aircraft was vulnerable to the more modern fighters of that time. As such it was moved to areas when the Luftwaffe had less or no aerial opposition. One of these such areas was the Balkans. The Germans were fighting a bitter campaign against Tito in the area, and for lightly armed partisan fighters with no air cover and only light AA the aircraft was truly a nightmare. The aircraft was accurate in delivery of its bomb load and due to its ruggedness could literally be based any where, typically operating from improvised airfields. Despite Allied air operations over the Balkans the Stuka was used right up until the end of hostilities, with one aircraft even being captured and used by the partisans against the Germans. The book looks at all aspects of the operation of Stukas over the Balkans from Supporting ground operations, anti-shipping duties, basing of units; and even towing of Parachute unit gliders. The book is A4 Hardback and 149 pages long. It is illustrated throughout with black and white photographs. At the back are ten pages of colour plates showing profiles of the aircraft involved. Conclusion This publication brings the story of Stuka in one of the lesser remembered fronts of WWII into the fore. The research shows through and we have a book which is well written, plus loaded with photographs which brings the text to life. Highly recommended to the WWII history buff and the aviation modeller alike. Review sample courtesy of

Ethiopian-Eritrean Wars, Volume 2 Eritrean War of Independence, 1988-1991 & Badme War 1998-2001 ISBN : 9781912390304 Helion & Company via Casemate UK It would seem depressing that the area of Ethiopia and Eritrea has seen more than its fair share of conflict and misery over the years. After Italian occupation during WWII Ethiopia claimed it as part of its territory, which was cemented after the UN federated it to Ethiopia in 1950. After 9 years Haile Selassie dissolved the federation and annexed Eritrea triggering a 30 year war of independence. The main for for Eritrea in was the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF). Thought like many such organisations the world over, infighting and internal conflict this became the Eritrean People Liberation Front (EPLF) . Even after Haile Selassie was overthrown in a coup and the region came under the influence of the Soviet Bloc the civil war continued. The EPLF had all but driven the Ethiopians out of Eritrea by 1977 when Somalia invaded Ethiopia to split their army. However massive intervention from Cuban & Yemeni forces allowed Ethiopia to regain the initiative and push back the EPLF. Soviet support ended though in at the end of the 1980s. Then the EPLF was able to join forces with other anti Marxist organisation to move against the Ethiopian Army. The US lead by former President Carter worked to end the conflict through peace talks, this lead to a peace agreement in 1989. This though did not last, however with the fall of the main Ethiopian regime in 1991 this lead to talks to establish a transitional government in Addis Ababa which the EPLF attended as an observer. In 1993 Eritrea was able to hold an Independence vote which came in at 99.83% in favour. In 1993 the UN formally admitted Eritrea as a country. Following this the military in Eritrea was built up and re-organised. There then followed to Badme War between Ethiopia & Eritrea following a series of limited armed incidents which resulted in Eritrean officials being killed near the town of Badme in 1998. Sadly it seems these two countries find it had to co-exist. The book looks at the forces on both sides of the conflict, some history of the region and how the main battles were fought. This volume is A4 soft back in format and 72 pages. There are black and white photographs throughout with maps, and 8 pages of colour profiles. Conclusion This book should provide readers with a more complete understanding of the of the conflict in Eritrea from 1988 to 2001. Recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Hot Skies over Yemen Vol.2 Aerial Warfare over Southern Arabian Peninsular 1944-2017 ISBN : 9781911628187 Helion & Company via Casemate UK When you think of Yemen it seems to be one of those parts of the world blighted by conflict. In more recent history it was divided between the British and Otter-man empires, then a British Protectorate in the South. Later after becoming independent it became a Marxist state. The two parts would unite only to later fall into Civil war. With no real functioning government the country seems to have fallen into control of extremists with a revolution in 2011, and coup in 2014 and a current civil war. Currently the US and Saudi Arabia are engaged in fighting there against forces said to supported by Iran. This new publication from Helion & Company deals with the aerial warfare over Yemen from where Volume 1 left off in 1994 following the civil war. Since then the Government has fought 6 campaigns against the "Houthis", and the Air Force has reequipped with newer equipment. Original Saudi involvement began in 2009/2010 when the war in Yemen spread over their boarder. The Saudis resumed operations in early 2015 using some of the most modern aircraft in their inventory including the Eurofighter Typhoon and F-15S. Also included are aircraft used by Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, , The UAE, and Kuwait in the conflict. The book looks at the following areas; Geopolitical Background Sa'ada Wars Begining of the End Storm of Resolve Multi-front War Stalemate The book is A4 softbound and 76 pages long. It is illustrated throughout with black and white photographs. In the centre are eight pages of colour plates showing profiles of the aircraft involved. Conclusion This publication brings the story of conflict in the region upto date with what we are now seeing on the news. If you're interested in the lesser known Air Forces, and conflicts of the war this is to be recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Air War Over The Putumayo Colombian and Peruvian Air Operations During to 1932-33 Conflict ISBN : 9781912390236 Helion & Company via Casemate UK Air War over where? you might ask, I know I certainly did. Putumayo is a southern district of Columbia bordering Ecuador and Peru. In 1932 following dissatisfaction with an earlier (1922) treaty between Columbia & Peru local civilians from Peru angry over heavy tariffs on sugar took overtook the city of Iquitos, the Peruvian military then sent 2 regiments of troops top the area in early September 1932. Following the turning back of two trade ships by the Peruvian Army the Colombians finally took notice with an outpouring of national patriotism. The issue for the Colombians was the almost total lack on infrastructure in the region. To aid Colombian activities an expat German WWI veteran and fledgling aviator Herbert Boy along with other German Aviators of Colombian - German air transport society organised arming their commercial aircraft for war becoming a defacto Colombian Air Force. (Boy would later become a Colombian citizen and Mayor of Bogota). Even though the city of Tarapaca was bombed the Peruvians did not actually have any troops there. The Peruvians also resorted to air power and bombed the Colombian Fleet (without any success), this did cause the breaking off of any remaining relations between the two countries. Events in Peru would help Columbia though as the Peruvian President was assassinated. His successor met with the Colombians and turned the disputed area over to the League Of Nations, and thus signed a peace treaty in the Brazilian Capital called the Rio de Janeiro Protocol. The incident though was a wake up call for Peru and it embarked on a rearming process which would help with its 1941 war with Ecuador. The book looks at the conflict and the use of air power in an area with no roads. As the main transport avenues were the rivers it is hardly surprising that float planes featured heavily (The War Memorial in Tarapaca even features one). The book has a large number of rare and previously unpublished photos . This volume is A4 soft back in format and 80 pages. There are black and white photographs throughout with maps, 5 pages of specially commissioned colour profiles, and also 3 pages of colour maps. Conclusion This book should provide readers with an understanding of this small almost unheard of conflict. I find these conflicts fascinating to read about and this is an excellent addition to the Latin America War series. Very Highly Recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Allied Armour In Normandy Casemate Publications Written by Yves Buffetaut and published by Casemate themselves, in their illustrated series. This volume of the Casemate Illustrated series explores the Normandy invasion from the perspective of the Allied Armoured divisions, looking at how armoured vehicles played a central role in the many battles that took place. It includes over 40 profiles of tanks and armoured vehicles, from the American Sherman and Stuart tanks to the bulldozers and amphibious vehicles designed for the beach. Each of the period photographs are nicely annotated with useful information the vehicles, their location and the units involved. With detailed diagrams and many photos illustrating the composition of the Allied armoured divisions and tank regiments present at Normandy, this volume explains the crucial part played by tanks in gaining a foothold in Normandy after the D-Day landings, as well as the significance of many other types of armoured vehicles. What I have found most useful, having read the book, is the information on how a British Regiment was organised and the markings the vehicles used, great for a modeller keen on accuracy. Conclusion Casemate should be praised for publishing this series of books, as although they may not be of an immediate interest to the modeller, when you take a closer look at the photographs there are a host of ideas that could be used in some interesting dioramas or vignettes. There are also the modifications and markings that could make for some unusual and different builds. Review sample courtesy of

IJN Destroyer Shimakaze Kagero Super Drawings in 3D Shimakaze was a one-off super-destroyer built for the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. She was armed with six 5 inch dual-purpose guns and conventional anti-aircraft and anti-submarine weaponry. More importantly, she was the only Japanese destroyer to be armed with 15 torpedo tubes, each capable of firing the deadly 24 in Type 93 "Long Lance" torpedo. The ship was a test bed for an enormously powerful, high-temperature; high-pressure steam turbine that was able to develop 79,240 shp, this made her one of the fastest destroyers in the world: her designed speed was 39 kn but on trials she made 40.9 kn. Ordered in 1939 under the 4th Naval Armaments Supplement Programme, Shimakaze was laid down in Maizuru Naval Arsenal in August 1941 and completed on 10 May 1943. Japan had intended to lay down 16 similar destroyers, with long-term plans the 5th Naval Armaments Supplement Programme for a total of 32 to equip four destroyer squadrons, but a lack of industrial capacity prevented them from being built. In June 1943, Shimakaze participated in the evacuation of Japanese troops from Kiska Island towards the end of the Aleutian Islands campaign. She was present in June 1944 at the Battle of the Philippine Sea. In October 1944, the destroyer was present at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, although she played no role in the battle except for picking up survivors from the sunken battleship Musashi. While serving as the flagship of Destroyer Squadron 2 under the command of Rear Admiral Mikio Hayakawa, she was attacked and sunk by American aircraft from Task Force 38 on 11 November 1944 during the Battle of Ormoc Bay. Shimakaze was discovered by a Paul Allen-led expedition aboard RV Petrel in Ormoc Bay on December 1st, 2017. She was a mangled wreck but the three quintuple torpedo tube launchers confirmed her identity. Photographs from the wreck also debunked the assertion that she had one of her turrets removed in an early 1944 refit This is the latest book from Kagero in their Super Drawings in 3D, and like the previous books it has a brief history and the ships specifications at the beginning. This includes the following:- History Description Armament Operational history Wreck The rest of the seventy five pages are filled with the now well known style of beautifully drawn 3D renderings of every part of the ship. It is obvious that a lot of time has been taken to get the drawings this good and accurate, and there is a wealthy of information for the modeller to use during their build. Every area of the upper hull and superstructure is dealt with plus the lower hull including the propellers and rudder. I particularly like the renderings of the torpedo launchers and the larger scale drawings of the light AA weaponry and ships boats, plus the interior of the bridge with the paraphernalia contained therein. She certainly was a very good looking ship, even with the unbalanced main armament with one turret forward and two aft. For even more detail, especially for the rigging, Kagero have included a double sided A2 fold out sheet with a five view on one side, unusually in 1:200, with additional drawings of the ships fixtures, such as bridge, funnels, AA platforms and radar, all to no particular scale. Conclusion This is another superb book in the series and a great addition to any maritime modeller’s library. This series is a boon to any ship modeller and is turning into a magnificent collection of titles. The detail included is second to none, and the renderings are so clear that they will be a delight for the superdetailers, particularly if building the beautiful Hasegawa or Fujimi 1:350 scale kits or the Tamiya and Pit Road kits in 1:700. Review sample courtesy of

Vought F4U Corsair Kagero TopDrawings One of the latest books in their TopDrawing series, this fifteen page softback is filled with line drawings and a selection of colour plates. Concentrating on the XF4U-1, F4U-1, F4U-1A and F4U-2 models each drawing is annotated, describing the differences between each model, although admittedly some of the differences, particularly when comparing drawings on the same page are difficult to this untrained eye to make out. The line drawings are very nicely done though, and show all the access panels, panel lines and other details. All the line drawings and colour plates are in 1:48, with the exception of the drawings of the engine, instrument panels and weapons, some of which are in 1:24 and 1:32 scales. The book also comes with an A3 pull out showing the upper and lower views of a F4U-1 and 1A on one side and a F4U-2 on the other. A nice addition is the small mask sheet to be used with 1:72 and 1:48 scale models. Conclusion This is a very nice, well laid out book. As with other books in the series, this one should be used along with other reference material to ensure the accuracy of your model. Review sample courtesy of

The Iran-Iraq War Volume 4: Forgotten Fronts by E.R. Hooton, Tom Cooper, Farzin Nadimi, published by Helion and Company On 16th January 1979 Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi left Iran for good. In doing so, he cemented the revolution that had sought to topple his failing regime and paved the way for foundation of the Islamic Republic of Iran under the rule of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Fearing that the Iranian Revolution would have a destabilising effect on Iraq, Saddam Hussein made the decision to invade, sparking the longest uninterrupted conventional conflict of the twentieth century. Although not etched on the conscience of the west to the extent of other conflicts of the period, the Iran-Iraq War was nevertheless one of the most important conflicts of the time. Apart from the significant loss of life and impact on civilians in the region, it was also an important stepping stone on the path to fundamentalist Islamic terrorism. This book, the last in a series of four, has been painstakingly compiled by authors with impressive credentials when it comes to defence matters in the Middle East. This volume examines the central and northern fronts, fought over difficult terrain and without either side able to muster numerical superiority. It also covers the Kurdish front and the horrors of the Iranian Air Force's chemical attack on Halabja, an attack which killed far more civilians than combatants. The book sets out the key engagements of the conflict in a clear and engaging way. The text is thoughtful and insightful throughout, leaving the reader with a good understanding of not only the military aspects of the conflict, but also the international political backdrop. While the book is not aimed directly at the modeller, it nevertheless contains a lot of valuable information for those interested in the hardware deployed in the conflict. The pages feature a typically eclectic mix of NATO and Warsaw Pact military hardware, a legacy of the imperial past clashing with the post-war rise of Soviet influence. The book is rich in illustrative material, containing over 140 photographs and 18 illustrations within its 80 pages. Plenty of information about the military inventories of the two sides is provided, alongside photographs and descriptions of locally modified armoured fighting vehicles. Conclusion This book is a valuable addition to the Middle East War series and deserves a place in the collection of anyone interested in the military conflicts of the region. Modellers will be rewarded with a valuable visual reference, as well as an inspiring read which will have you poking around in your stash, looking at your AFV kits in a different light. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Paradise Afire Volume 1 The Sri Lankan War 1971-1987 ISBN : 9781912390342 Helion & Company via Casemate UK While Sri Lnaka is indeed a tropical paradise, it is also one of those areas that seemed to be in the news for a very long tome due to its long running internal conflicts. In 1971 the country was in political turmoil when the JVP (Jatiya Vimukthi Peramuna) a Sinhalese militant group tried to snatch power. The government at this time appealed for help and Pakistan airlifted troops and military equipment to help. The Pakistani forces took over external defence allowing the local forces to perform internal duties. At the same time India sent Naval Forces to block routes to Colombo, with some 150 Indian troops sent to guard the airport there. Due to initial Indian delays Pakistani forces were entrenched, plus the Indians were less than enthusiastic about the Tamil issue. This help from Pakistan lead to them supporting Pakistan during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. Further internal conflict would follow in Sri Lanka, however like many things the influence and agendas of other nations would have a great bearing on this small nation. India supported the Tamils from the 60s through to the 1980 (which in History the British had brought to the then Ceylon as workers). The Tamils built up support and following the riots in "Black July" 1983 a major struggle would begin. Indian intervention this time would be needed to turn the tide against the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). The book looks at all aspects of the air war as well as the conflict in general. It is A4 softcover in format with 64 pages. Black and white photographs feature throughout the text. There are 4 pages of aircraft profiles, and two of AFVs, along with other photos (some in colour), Conclusion This book should provide readers with a understanding of the military operations in the first 16 years of this war, Highly Recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana (1943-45) The Aviation of the Italian Social Republic ISBN : 9788365437709 Kagero via Casemate UK While there has been much written about the Luftwaffe in WWII, not much is out there concerning their other Allies, even the Italians. This book concentrates on the Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana (ANR) which was the Air Force still under the control of Mussolini after the 1943 Armistice. As at the same time there was the Italian Co-belligerent Air Force, or Aviazione Cobelligerante Italiana who flew for the Allies. Its worth pointing out that the ANR amd ACI never met each other in combat. The early part of the book gives a look at the origins of the ANR, the ANR Fighter Groups and their aircraft. As well as using Italian aircraft the ANR were supplied with Bf 109G-6s from the Luftwaffe. The book then looks at Torpedo bomber, and conventional bomber units of the ANR, as well as the transport arm, and other units. Lesser know subjects such as their rank structure and unit markings are also included towards the end of the book. Conclusion If you're interested in the lesser known Air Forces, or the WWII Axis, this is an interesting book that should give you some hours of entertainment, and remain on hand as a reference for the modeller or historian. This is now the third of the "Library of Armed Conflicts" books I have reviewed and it is turning out to be a good series. Highly Recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Waffen-SS Armour In Normandy ISBN : 9781912174805 Helion & Company via Casemate UK This book as the title suggests deals with the role of the Waffen-SS Armoured units in the Normandy campaign. In particular SS panzer regiment 12 and SS Panzerjager Abeitlung 12. This is for the period June until the end of August 1944. The book looks at the training of these units in 1943/44, unit equipment, order of battle, and tactical numbers. The book presents a detailed chronological order actions from movement towards Caen, and then the withdrawal to the Seine. The book is based on transcriptions of original unit war diaries held in the Prague Military archives, and contributions from the archive of noted Waffen-SS historian Mark Yerger. the book presents a look at tactical and command level decisions which brought the combat tactics which held the line at Caen for over two months. The book combines detailed maps and photographs with documents to bring a very detailed look at these actions. The book is A5 softcover in format and 304 pages long. With a couple of colour photos, colour maps and many black & white photos. Conclusion This book should provide readers with a understanding of the role of the Waffen-SS Armour in the Normandy campaign . Recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Chile 1973 - The other 9/11 The downfall of Salvador Allende ISBN : 9781912174959 Helion & Company via Casemate UK While everyone is familiar with the devastating event of 11th September 2001, in Chile the term 9/11 has a completely different meaning. The 11th of September 1973 was the day that General Pinochet staged a Coup and overthrew the democratically elected Salvador Allende which lead to a military junta ruling Chile until 1990. Until this point Chile had been one of the most democratic countries in South America. The Coup supported by the US but without any direct involvement involved the CIA creating conditions for the coup to take place, and supporting the regime afterwards. Deaths attributed directly to the coup were small and it was always reported President Allende took his own life. However in 2011 a secret military account was found which heavily suggested he was assassinated. Even though initial deaths were small the Military Junta then used the coup as a basis to round up an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 people and imprison them. Many of these people would later be murdered by the regime becoming the infamous "Disappeared" of Chile. It is not really know even today how many people were actually killed, however its estimated to be in the thousands. The book looks at all aspects of this dark period in Chilean history. It is A4 softcover in format with 64 pages. Black and white photographs feature throughout the text. There are 4 pagers of colour profiles of the aircraft which took part, and 2 pages with military vehicles. Conclusion This book should provide readers with a understanding of the the events which took place in Chile in 1973 and some of what follwed afterwards. Highly Recommended. Review sample courtesy of