With decades of research to draw from, Philip Jowett explores this
extraordinary David-and-Goliath conflict, where the rag-tag Igbo tribal
army of secessionist Biafra faced off against the Nigerian Federal
forces. It was an African war that captured the attention of the western
media, with individual commanders such as Biafran leader Colonel Ojukwu
and Federal Colonel Adekunle becoming familiar figures across the globe.
The Nigerian forces easily outnumbered their opponents, and benefitted
from British and Soviet equipment, yet against all the odds the Biafrans
held out for two and a half years, inflicting many setbacks on the
Federal forces before their eventual surrender in 1970.
Specially commissioned artwork and historical photos, including some
from respected Italian war photographer Romano Ganoni, reflect the
diverse array of uniforms and equipment on both sides, with images
ranging from Sandhurst-educated officers in immaculate uniform to ragged
militiamen armed with World War II kit.