Modern African Wars (5): The Nigerian-Biafran War 1967-70

by Philip Jowett, Raffaele Ruggeri (Illustrator)

Overview

With decades of research to draw from, Philip Jowett explores this extraordinary David-and-Goliath conflict, where the rag-tag Igbo tribal army of secessionist Biafra faced off against the Nigerian Federal forces. It was an African war that captured the attention of the western media, with individual commanders such as Biafran leader Colonel Ojukwu and Federal Colonel Adekunle becoming familiar figures across the globe. The Nigerian forces easily outnumbered their opponents, and benefitted from British and Soviet equipment, yet against all the odds the Biafrans held out for two and a half years, inflicting many setbacks on the Federal forces before their eventual surrender in 1970.

Specially commissioned artwork and historical photos, including some from respected Italian war photographer Romano Ganoni, reflect the diverse array of uniforms and equipment on both sides, with images ranging from Sandhurst-educated officers in immaculate uniform to ragged militiamen armed with World War II kit.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472816092
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	09/20/2016
Series:	Men-at-Arms
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	7.10(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Philip Jowett's first Osprey book was the ground-breaking Men-at-Arms 306: Chinese Civil War Armies 1911–49; he has since published the three-part sequence The Italian Army 1940–45 (Men-at-Arms 340, 349 and 353). He is married and lives in Lincolnshire.

Raffaele Ruggeri was born in Bologna, where he works and lives with his wife. He worked in several areas of graphics and design before deciding to devote himself to illustration. He has illustrated a number of books for Osprey.

Table of Contents

Introduction – Nigeria from independence to the eve of civil war /Chronology /The Federal Nigerian Army – organization and character /The Biafran Army – organization and character /The mercenaries – Rolf Steiner and 4th Commando Brigade /The Nigerian and Biafran navies and air forces – MiGs and Ilyushins vs. Count von Rosen's Swedish Minicons /Weapons /Uniforms /Plate Commentaries