This is the most recent volume covering the MiG aircraft in various Middle East wars involving Israel. It is probably the last of the series as well as it covers the second half of the 1973 war and beyond. In common with the previous books, it takes a look at this conflict from the 'other' side of the Arab-Israeli wars. Much of what has been published on the subject has been from a purely Israeli point of view, and as such has only provided what turns out to be a rather distorted view of reality.

As mentioned, this covers the second major phase of the 1973 war. The goal of this conflict was not the total invasion of Israel, but to show the Israelis that the will to fight was still there and to take over enough ground to force a settlement that would be more in the favor of the Arab countries involved. In other words, a limited conflict with limited goals.

This time, the shoe was on the other foot as they say and the Israelis were taken completely by surprise. The Arab forces were much more in control of the situation and were able to inflict a great deal of damage on not only Israeli ground forces, but the Israeli Air Force as well. In fact the loss rate was much greater than anticipated.

The fifth volume in this series covers the initial days of the conflict. During this time, the Egyptians as well as the Syrians and Iraqis made considerable gains on their respective fronts and caused considerable losses on the Israeli side. However, as the conflict continued, the Arab leadership made considerable blunders and missed a number of opportunities that resulted in not only the Israelis regaining lost territory, but also making gains into the west bank of the Suez Canal, but also into the Golan Heights. Quite a bit of the territorial expansion occurred after the UN brokered cease-fire as the Israelis chose to ignore it while the Egyptians did not.

As in the previous works, there is an opening errata section that provides more information and sometimes some more photos to help clarify what was published previously. The authors freely admit that getting information out of all the combatants is difficult and there are gaps. Fortunately, by gleaning information from a number of sources, including individuals that participated, it is possible to get a fairly good picture of the situation as it unfolded.

One of the things that has come forth from all these volumes is how much the IDF exaggerated the facts. Many times pilots are provided aerial victories in the dozens when only one or two Arab planes were lost. Conversely, they often state losses as having come from ground fire/missiles when it reality many were air to air losses. This is all part of their policy to make the Arab military forces appear to be inept, when the reality is often quite different. The benefit of books like this is that they offer a balance to what has become widely accepted. I've gotten the feeling that the authors are not biased one way or the other and should be commended on the information they have been able to uncover.

The book not only provides as complete a look as is possible at this time at the way the war was executed on both sides, but also how other Arab nations, the Soviet Union and the United States were involved. It continues its look at  the various missions flown over the two fronts; the Sinai and the Golan Heights. There are considerable 'I was there' stories as well as some most welcome photographs. A number of informative tables and indices are also provided for the enthusiast and the history buff. This is not just a rehash of what has gone before, but a considerable amount of primary research. Modelers will appreciate the camouflage information provided as well as the many pages of color profiles.

The book is not a quick read and I do apologize to Casemate and Tom Cooper for it taking so long to review, but I read the books I review, for to do less is not fair to the authors. I found it particularly true that the end of the 1973 war shifted the balance of power in the region. Egypt became more and more isolated from the rest of its neighbors by its willingness to negotiate with the Israelis. In the end, Egypt got what it wanted, the return of the Sinai Peninsula. Even Syria had a small section of the Golan Heights returned. Not only that, but it was the end to open warfare against Israel, despite Israel becoming even more and more aggressive towards most of its neighbors as can be seen in the Lebanon invasion and attacks against the Iraqi nuclear power plant and incursions into Saudi Arabia to name a few. It also began a period where the United States policy towards Israel was to support and supply it regardless, a policy that continues today.

It also spelled the end of Soviet equipment in Egyptian military service as it turned to the West for its equipment, giving its air force equipment that was not substandard and lacking in capabilities.  It is a book that I highly recommend to those interested in the topic and with open minds. Once you read one volume in this series, you will want to read them all.

March 2016

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Review book courtesy of  Casemate Publishing, where you can order your copy at this link.

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