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by Steven J. Zaloga.
Softcover (7.25×9.75 inches). 48 pages. 2025.
This overview of Gulf War tanks includes the Iraqi, US, UK, French, and Saudi Arabian models. Technical specs, tactical organization, and operational doctrine provide an entry point to understanding why Coalition forces did so well and Iraqi forces did so poorly.
Iraq started the war with roughly 2,550 Soviet tanks — 150 T-72, 1,300 T-62, 1,050 T-54/T-55, and 50 T-34/85 (p12-13) — and about 2,000 Chinese export Type 69-II tanks (p15). These were export versions, not top-of-the-line Soviet and Chinese models.
The US brought about 2,000 M-1 tanks in various versions that were mostly top-of-the-line models. Add in British, French, and Saudi Arabian tanks to that number. Other Coalition allies provided tanks, but they were not used in the main attack.
Coalition training and tactical operations overwhelmed the Iraqis, although some Republican Guard divisions fought well. And let’s not forget how air superiority contributed to the destruction of Iraqi tank forces.
The booklet contains three black and white photos, 38 color photos, one color one-page action illustrations, and 12 color camouflage illustrations (six Iraqi and six Coalition). Lots of spec boxes are throughout the booklet.
The overview of the campaign is short and focuses on the armor contributions to a Coalition victory. You get the gist of why the Iraqis were so badly beaten.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
