Colonel Mandeep Singh looks at the 1965 war between India and Pakistan and the role antiaircraft played in it. During this short conflict both sides possessed a mix of obsolete aircraft (Indian Mysteres and Pakistani Sabres) and technologically-advanced fighters (Pakistani Starfighters and Indian MiG-21s). However, both sides relied upon 40mm guns to provide the bulk of their antiaircraft artillery. Neither side could adequately defend their manuever forces with the types of guns available but as the war progressed the guns were found to be effective at point defense when deployed intelligently. Colonel Singh conveys the courage of both sides in the air raids and dog fights of this short conflict, reminding us of the human element of this fight.
If there is a weakness in this book it is the editing of the text. VIJ Books certainly let Col. Singh down. Some sentences are repeated, there are mispellings and in some sections the idioms are used incorrectly. With that said, I never had a problem understanding what the author was trying to convey. I do wish there had been more maps as I am not familiar with the border area between India and Pakistan.
This study of the war is an excellent addition to my air defense library. Illustrated with black-and-white artwork and photographs.
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