Military Model Scene

Title: The Chaco War 1932-1935
Author: Antonio Luis Sapienza & Jose Luis Martinez Pelaez
Publisher: Helion & Company
ISBN: 978-1-913118-73-0

Number 20 in the Latin America @ War series, subtitled 'Fighting in the Green Hell'. A war fought in the early 1930s between Bolivia and Paraguay over a border region known as the Chaco. A large area of land with sparse water sources, widely forested and with plenty of dangerous animals and insects. Conditions which added to the number of casualties that occurred during the fighting.
The book provides a background to the conflict, and goes through the history of events in a straightforward chronological sequence. At the time Bolivia was economically better placed to fight a war but their commanders had little military training and their frontal attacks were met by entrenched defences thanks to a commander trained in France, and who favoured attacking the enemy flanks. The results led to significant success for the Paraguayans who also captured significant quantities of Bolivian equipment which they then put to use as well as significant areas of land. Throughout the book there are plenty of interesting archive images, including a number with Vickers tanks and various guns. In the centre pages, some colour artwork and a number of maps which illustrate the various battles etc.. The last 12 pages of the book carry a number of Appendices, with tables listing the Commanders from both sides, their various units and equipment used by both sides plus a list of source materials referenced for the book.
This book looks at the Ground war, and is a companion to another title in the series which details the Chaco Air War. I found it fascinating read, a war I knew little about beforehand, and as a modeller, plenty of interesting images to inspire modelling some period vehicles but in a somewhat different setting. Another interesting addition to the Latin America @ War series from Helion & Co.
Thanks to distributor Casemate for our review copy.

Robin