Military Model Scene

Title: Czechoslovak Arms Exports to the Middle East. Vol. 3
Author: Martin Smisek
Publisher: Helion & Co
ISBN: 978-1-915070-79-1

Egypt 1948-1989, and number 46 in the Middle East @ War series from Helion & Co. A 96-page soft-cover book in the standard series style.
This tells the story of a changing relationship between Czechoslovakia and Egypt, after the end of WW2 when the Czechoslovaks supported the young Israeli state, though this began to change in the early 1950s when they banned exports to Israel and in the late 50s provided large quantities of military equipment to Egypt, along with additional support and instructors. The book details the ups and downs of the relationship between the Czechoslovak and Egyptian governments over the years as circumstances changed. It wasn't just the supply of military hardware, but vital training services as well for the Egyptian military, particularly with aircrew training coupled with their supply of new aircraft. Worth remembering of course that Czechoslovak supplies were subject to the approval of the Soviet Union. There are plenty of tables in the book, detailing just how much was supplied, vehicles, aircraft, ammunition etc.. As we expect from this series there is a nice section of colour artwork in the middle of the book, plus some maps and lots of archive photos spread throughout the book. With the Suez conflict in the 1950s, then both the 6-day war of 1967 and Yom Kippur in 1973, Egypt needed the support.
Lots of detail and an interesting read I thought, not just the nuts and bolts of what was supplied but the political context of international relationships intertwined with it all. At the end of the period, there was a substantial debt for Egypt to settle, but with all the changes caused by the collapse of the Warsaw Pact in 1989 everything changed again.
Thanks to Helion & Co for the review copy.

Robin