Military Model Scene
Robin Buckland's
BAOR, in 2 parts...
...British Specials Nos 9003 and 9006, new from Tankograd
Title: BAOR - The Early Years 1945-1979
Author: Peter Blume
Publisher: Tankograd
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This new British Special from Tankograd, number 9003 tackles the post-war period from 1949-1979. As well as the background text which explains how at the end of the war the British 21 Army Group was redesignated as the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR), one of the Allied groups who were to occupy Germany after the end of the war. The book gives the explanation of what was involved and a detailed Order of Battle from 1947-1966 and another covering 1966 - 1975. Not just an occupation force, the BAOR became a key element of NATO's defence plans for Central Europe. There was another reorganisation in 1975. Other sections cover specific elements of the BAOR, illustrating the Royal Armoured Corps, the Infantry, Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, Army Air Corps and their Support Units. With introductory text to each element, the bulk of the book as made up from archive photos, along with plenty more information held in the captions. I should say of course that all the text, including the photo captions, are provided in both English and German. The vehicles illustrated are things like Centurion and Chieftain along with Saladin and Saracen, Ferrets, and trucks such as Antar, Militant and Bedford MK just to name a few.
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Robin
Title: BAOR - The Final Years 1980 - 1994
Author: Peter Blume
Publisher: Tankograd
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The second part of these British Specials from Tankograd, is number 9006, and this takes it on from 1980 to the final disbandment of the BAOR in 1994. This one includes the final organisation of the BAOR up to its' disbandment and then lots more archive photos showing the vehicles of the BAOR in those final years. These are followed by sections covering the individual elements again, with the Royal Armoured Corps, Infantry, Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers and the Army Air Corps. More modern vehicles illustrated in this one, with Challenger 1 and Warrior, MLRS and Tracked Rapier. Another very useful reference for modellers and I am sure it will invoke many memories for ex-servicemen.
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Thanks to UK stockists Bookworld for my examples.
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Robin
