Military Model Scene

Title: Kurdish Armour Against ISIS
Author: Ed Nash & Alaric Searle
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-4728-4758-4

YPG/SDF tanks, technicals and AFVs in the Syrian Civil War, 2014-19. Number 299 in Osprey's New Vanguard series, a 48-page soft-cover book in the standard style, with good explanatory text accompanied by archive images and some fine artwork, in this case by Irene Cano Rodriguez.
Partly hidden amongst the events of the Syrian Civil War, a region of Kurdish people fought to protect themselves from the spread of ISIS, the so-called 'Caliphate' that spread across the borders from Iraq into Syria. The book does a good job of explaining the different armed groups who became involved in the conflict. There are sections on the use of various armoured vehicles, including those more traditional Soviet and US built AFVs, and where they were sourced from. Add to these are the so-called 'Technicals', or also known as 'Dushkas', where various weapons were mounted in the back of civilian pick-up trucks, some working at their maximum weights. It goes on to set out Unit Structures and Tactics, followed by accounts detailing a number of different battles stretching from 2013 through to 2019. Perhaps the most interesting section for many though I suspect will be that on the variety of Improvised Armoured vehicles, built on crawlers, civilian trucks and the like. Obviously made in local workshops, using locally available materials, these are really fascinating I think.
Helped by western air power in the end, but these units played a key role in defeating ISIS in the region. I suspect I am not alone to have missed much of the story amidst other aspects of the Syrian Civil War, and this fine little book does a good job in explaining/recording what went on. The photos and artwork particularly of the improvised AFVs will fascinate many I think, especially among modellers. Something about them reminded me of the various improvised vehicles used during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s. Groups simply making the best use of what they had available to them. This one tackles a lesser know modern conflict.
Thanks to Osprey for the review copy.

Robin