Warriors 140 is on the US Mechanized Infantryman during the First Gulf War. This was the first US ground war of any scope since Vietnam and to me, it showed a great deal of what had changed in the US Army since that time. The soldiers were better equipped, and better prepared for this war than their Vietnam era counterparts. Much of this has to do with the all volunteer force that participated.

One thing about the modern army is that infantry is, for the most part, mechanized in some form or another. If it isn't by an armored tracked vehicle or a truck it is by helicopter. And frankly, with all the equipment the modern solider has to carry as well as the armor and the somewhat heavy long-sleeved clothing, one wonders how many miles they could actually march if they had to. Today, less than 20 years from this brief war, the solider has even more to carry with the inclusion of body armor. No matter how light weight it is, it still isn't weight free.

The war we all know as Desert Shield/Desert Storm was over with in about 100 hours of actual army to army combat. The commentary of several of those quoted in the book was that it was far too short and there were quite a few who were disappointed that they didn't get to fire their weapons at the enemy, such was the devastation wreaked on the Iraqi army in the months and hours prior to the US Army crossing the border.

In this book on US Mechanized Infantry of this time,  author Gordon Rottman covers a brief chronology on what led up to the first Gulf War followed by a section on recruitment and organization. We then get to look at how their training was conducted and then it is on to life within the unit. The unit's motivation and morale is next as well as how they were equipped. We then get to see how they operated while on campaign and the book contains some specific examples during different parts of the war. All of this is superbly illustrated by Adam Hook and an excellent collection of photographs, most of them in full color.

In all, another excellent book on some of the less exciting, but very necessary components of warfare.

May 2010

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