The Iran-Iraq War (Revised & Expanded Edition): Volume 1 - The Battle For Khuzestan, September 1980-May 1982 (Middle East@War) - Softcover

Hooton, E.R.; Cooper, Tom; Nadimi, Farzin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1913118525 ISBN 13: 9781913118525

Publisher: Helion and Company, 2019

Synopsis

The Iran-Iraq War was one of the bloodiest conflicts of the 20th century and accidentally created the current nightmare of Islamic fundamentalist terrorism. There have been many books on the conflict, but this is the first detailed military history using materials from both sides, as well as materials obtained from US intelligence circles and British governmental archives. It provides a unique insight into a war which began through miscalculation and rapidly escalated into the longest conventional conflict in the post-Second World War era. The first volume looks at the background and describes in detail how Saddam Hussein decided to invade, but hamstrung, the Iraqi Army to restrict its greatest success to a narrow strip of territory in Iran’s southern province of Khuzestan. This left the Iraqis unable to either advance or withdraw, and exposed them to ever greater and more successful Iranian counter-strokes which drove them out in May 1982 in the ferocious Battle of Khorramshahr.

About this title

About the Author:

E. R. Hooton is a successful retired defence journalist, including acting as a Jane’s yearbook editor. He is the author of more than a dozen military history books ranging from the Balkans Wars 1912-1913, air operations over the Western Front 1916-1918, the breaking of the Hindenburg Line 1918, the Red Army 1937-1941, air operations 1939-1945 and the Communist Chinese victory of 1945-1951.

Tom Cooper is an Austrian aerial warfare analyst and historian. Following a career in worldwide transportation business – during which he established a network of contacts in the Middle East and Africa – he moved into narrow-focus analysis and writing on small, little-known air forces and conflicts, about which he has collected extensive archives. This has resulted in specialisation in such Middle Eastern air forces as of those of Egypt, Iran, Iraq, and Syria, plus various African and Asian air forces. Except for authoring and co-authoring more than 30 books - including about a dozen of titles for Helion’s @War series - and over 1000 articles, Cooper is a regular correspondent for multiple defence-related publications.

Farzin Nadimi is a writer and researcher of the Middle Eastern and Persian Gulf defense and security affairs, with a focus on Iran-Iraq War military history, energy security and geopolitics, economic warfare, and oil and gas industries. He has a Master's degree in War Studies from King's College London and a PhD in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Manchester. He lives in Washington, DC.

Review:

“...this book is jam packed with excellent information about the early stages of the Iran-Iraq War and I look forward to seeing future volumes.” (Military Modelling)

“I suspect that this volume could literally be a game-changer for the 1980s enthusiast...Inspirational, and excellent value, richly deserving of one of the editor's medals.” (Miniature Wargames)

"I don't believe we were ever told in the western press just how horrific this two-year stretch of the war actually was, and it falls to authors such as E R Hooton to remind and educate us in that regard.”" (Books Monthly)

“Photos, text and profile images will give you an idea on how to paint and weather your model in order to achieve a nice finish. Moreover, publication has great educational value, and I am sure you will know more about the beginning of the conflict and the reasons why it gradually evolved into such big war.” (DetailScaleView)

"The books themselves are large, and eighty pages long. They are full of pictures of the war, and also have a good amount of large colored side views of the of the different planes, armor, and other vehicles. These are excellent for model makers. The military and political history of the war is fascinating, and the books' writing only serves to make it that much better. These volumes are another score for Helion&Company." (A Wargamers Needful Things)

“Interesting and authoritative...well worth a read.” (Classic Military Vehicles)

“This book is a valuable addition to the Middle East War series and deserves a place in the collection of anyone interested in the military conflicts of the region. Modellers will be rewarded with a valuable visual reference, as well as an inspiring read which will have you poking around in your stash, looking for a suitable kit to build from the conflict. Highly recommended.” (Britmodeller)

“Color and B&W photos illustrate Helion's account. Abbreviations, extended captions, maps, selected bibliography and chapter endnotes further season the study. And color profiles nicely sample participating warplane and armor livery... the book conveniently chronicles the war's initial phases.” (Cybermodeler)

About this edition

• Publisher: Helion and Company
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1913118525
• ISBN 13: 9781913118525
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 88