La Guerra de 1898

Snr. Meige has also sent in a Spanish book entitled "La Guerra de 1898" by Snr. Delfin Salas, Published by Aldaba Militaria and it would appear to be No.1. of a series of military books, whether they will all be on a Spanish theme will have to be seen. The book is in hardback and A4 in size with 10 coloured plates, 6 of which are on Spanish troops. It is 48 pages in length including the 8 plates [the other two are used for the front and back cover], the black and white photgraphs included are good, although I feel that more photographs and less newspaper illustrations would have been more helpful.

The text covers the period from 1895 through to 1898 with chapters on Arms and Uniforms of both sides, for the amount of text. that there was room for it gave a very good overall picture of the events and left me wanting to know more about the Order of Battle that the Spanish opperated in Cuba and the actual Battles, but that would be a book on its own. Sorry I do not know the price for it although if you write to "Berreira Militaria" C/ Mayor 4, 28013 MADRID, SPAIN. I'm sure Snr.R. Barreira would know of the book and be able to supply a price in Sterling and U.S. Dollars for you.

Cromwell's Jamaica Campaign

Received from Partizan Press, 26 Cliffsea Grove, Leigh on Sea, Essex, SS9 1NQ. ENGLAND. a copy of their book "Cromwell's Jamaica Campaign, the attack on the West Indies 1654-55", by Paul Sutton, priced at £ 5.99. this is softback, but with a glossy cover, A5 in size with 94 pages, illustrated by Neil Wright [line drawings and maps]. I have a few articles on this subject mainly from the. "Camden Miscellany Journal" of the 1920's so it was not a new topic, but the data included in the text was indeed of great help in understanding the Campaign to capture Hispaniola and Jamaica, with details on troops, ships etc. [just right for an Wargame Campaign].

The line drawings give an added feel of the period and conditions that had to be endured, this is a must for anyone who is interested in the early Spanish colonies or of the British foriegn designs on the West Indies, or just an interest in what Cromwell did with his troops after the English Civil War [other than send them to Ireland]. A good read on a little known subject, a book that I would of "had to" buy if I had seen it in a bookshop.