Review by Martin Koenigsberg
With its unification as recent as 1871, Italy was a real latecomer to the Colonial impulse. By the time they decided to prey on Indigenous Peoples, only Libya was left on the North African coast, and the Horn of Africa – Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea remained unconquered by Europeans. At this later stage of world plundering, overseas possessions themselves were seen as state status symbols, and the basic reason for earlier expansion, profitability was not valued. In the 1880s, the Italians began to move into the region- after WWI – they moved to totally dominate. Ralph Riccio an American veteran and Military History Writer and Massimiliano Afiero is his Italian writing partner as they sift through the records and tell the story of the Somali Colony , the Italian attack on Ethiopia , the larger Colonial holding, their 1940 conquest of British Somalia, and the final snuffing out of the venture as British Commonwealth and Colonial (South Africans, West Africans, East Africans, and Indians) forces moved in. I really enjoyed the book as I was an African History major in college and this book covered ground largely unknown in the English Speaking sphere. There was almost zero surplus to the natural economies of this region as it was, probably why the British, so much more experienced both locally and with Imperialism as a concept, had left it outside their Empire. The Italians could raise fairly ample local Ascari regiments, both infantry and cavalry, but they could not really support fully robust modern life without lots of Italian investment. When WWII arrived, the conquest of British Somaliland was a flex- but also a bit of a blunder. The authors are constantly contrasting an Italian Army that is moving and fighting on food and on horseback, with their supplies moving by truck, with a few armoured Cars and tanks, whilst almost all Allied movements are fully mechanised. Once the British Imperial blockade was in place, the Italian collapse was inevitable, but prolonged by Fascist attempts at glory on the battlefield. It is an interesting story of imperialism, colonialism, resistance, cooperation and collaboration- all in a place we need to understand better. There are a few adult themes, and a few passages with graphic violence, so this is a best for the Junior Reader over about 12/13 Years. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast this book is a great resource. The Gamer gets a number of new (to most english speakers) ideas for scenarios/campaigns to look over- with very challenging tactical options. The country is challenging, and the earlier battles are Colonial , the later ones full WWII action. The Modeler will appreciate the the uniform and equipment colour guidance at the back of the book, information that is new to many. For the Military Enthusiast, this book is a great new option- giving us some depth on an aspect of Colonialism, and then WWII, that has often been forgotten in the English speaking world. The book covers so much ground, literally and figuratively, that the general audience reader will also find this intriguing. A strong rec from this reviewer.
