This latest book in the New Vanguard series is on the M109 Self-Propelled Howitzer, a weapon that is not only used by many military forces around the world, but has shown itself to be quite reliable and effective.

Initially designed in the late 50s and entering service a few years later, the M109 was designed for a European war where it was to be used in basically the same way as towed artillery. Its first use was in Viet-nam where it was often dug into emplacements and utilized to protect US forces in the field. Its mobility was not really appreciated until the first Gulf War where it was a devastating weapon when using anti-personnel shells. These munitions are one of several that are available for the M109 and were extremely effective in disrupting the morale of defending forces. Again, in Gulf War II, the now improved M109 was also able to show its effectiveness in the fast-moving 'blitzkrieg' of the US Army on its rush to Baghdad.

Author Steve Zaloga has done a superb job of telling the story of the M109 from its inception until today's use. So popular has it been that the production line was restarted in order to handle foreign orders. Those still in service have been modified and updated over the years until there is not much in today's version that is the same as what was initially produced in the early 1960s. Despite several other designs for newer replacements being put forward, the M109 continues and will for at least the next decade.

As with other books in the series, there are a number of excellent photos of the vehicle in service. Included are a number of excellent profiles and drawings, among them an excellent cut-away. For those who have an interest in military hardware, this book needs to be on your reference shelf.

February 2005

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