The former colony of Spanish Sahara saw frequent outbursts of tribal and
ethnic rebellions already while ruled by colonial authorities, in the
late 19th and through early 20th Century. Its vastness and distances
de-facto dictated the application of air power in response. While most
of these attracted next to no attention in English-language media, at
least the large-scale operations of the Spanish colonial authorities of
the late 1950s became notable for the final combat deployment of the
famous Messerschmitt Bf.109.
Narby, their common history as former French colonies resulted in a
short war between Algeria and Morocco, which in turn prompted an arms
race that lasted well into the 1980s.
Following much more action than was ever reported in the media, and amid
growing resistance from natives and increasing international pressure,
Spain withdrew from Spanish Sahara in 1975, indirectly opening a new
chapter of this part of the world, which is going to be covered in
Volume 2.
Warfare in Western Sahara has in many ways become exemplary for
modern-day counter-insurgency efforts in Africa and elsewhere. This is
so in regards of this conflict being mis-declared as a part of some
larger, external conflict - like the Cold War - in regards of the
concept of an insurgency applying motorized forces to deliver often
spectacular 'hit-and-run' attacks; and in regards of a conventional
military reacting with a combination of earth berms and air power.
Illustrated by over 100 photographs, dozen of maps and 15 color
profiles, Showdown in Western Sahara, Volume 1 offers a fascinating
study of the military aspects of this conflict, warfare strategies,
tactics and experiences with different weapons systems.
