Description

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The Border War saw the biggest armored battles in Africa since World War II. Starting as a counterinsurgency operation by the South African Defence Force (SADF) against the South West Africa People's Organization, South Africa became embroiled in the complex Angolan Civil War, where they came up against enemies well supplied with equipment and armored vehicles from the Soviet Union.

With the aid of stunning illustrations and photographs, this study details the characteristics, capabilities, and performance of the wide variety of armored vehicles deployed by the SADF, from the Eland armored car to the Ratel infantry fighting vehicle and the Olifant tank. Designed for the unique conditions of the region, South Africa's armor was distinctive and innovative, and has influenced the design of counterinsurgency armored vehicles around the world.

Much demanded by Osprey readers, and written by two renowned experts on armored vehicles, this will appeal to all those interested in modern armor and the Cold War proxy wars.

About the Author

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Simon Dunstan is a well-established author, film-maker and photographer in the field of military history, and has published several titles with Osprey. He specialises in armoured warfare, and has written on this subject for two decades. His books have covered topics such as helicopter and armoured warfare in Vietnam, the Challenger main battle tank, the British Guards and armoured warfare in Korea. Simon lives and works in London.

Pierre Lowe Victor was born on April 28, 1961 in Graaff-Reinet, South Africa. He grew up in the historic Boer war town of Ladysmith, Natal, and matriculated in 1978. He was called up for national military service and for the next two years served as an instructor in the SADF School of Engineers in Kroonstad. He studied Civil Engineering and Fine and Commercial Art. From 1986 he was involved in mechanical military vehicle design and logistics, and later became the editor of a military history magazine (VEG) and wrote or co-wrote several books on the South African nuclear programme. In 2006 he returned to the world of vehicle and military design, and is currently Logistics Manager at a military vehicle manufacturing company.