Moving right along with must haves, El Dorado Books latest booklet #5 is Notes on the Mexican Army 1900-1920. This is the period of Villa, Zapata, Pershing and our invasion of Vera Cruz to mention just a few. It is unusual for me to read something the first day I get it, especially at work where Latin America is not in my job description. But I read this cover to cover, 80 pages, in two hours and blew everything else off. This is great addition to your library. I think you can get it from A. Preziosi, 11017 SW 125th Ave, Miami, FL 33186 for $16.

This booklet includes articles on the organization, OBs, uniforms (27 drawings and descriptions), the army, flags and a brief military history of the revolution. "The Mexican Revolution" by Adrian English, "Some Notes on the Uniforms of the Mexican Army during the Revolution" by CA Norman, "Mexican Federal Army (1912-14) by Adrian English, and "Mexican Flags by TD Hooker are the articles to read. There are also two primary documents: "Guerra y Marina" a detailed Mexican Army organization breakdown from 1900; and "Monograph on Mexico" by the US War Department both are great. The 'Monograph' contains OB info, general info on the Mexican Army and its capabilities, locations of troops and numbers.

I've got to say that this booklet and Guernsey Foundry's Mexican Army figures are destined for my table top soon. This is a great combination. Obviously, Guernsey, rather The Foundry, does not have all the various uniforms and troop types illustrated by CA Norman's article on uniforms (Bryan- how about some artillery figures), but they do have the uniforms for the troops you would actually field. Now all I need are some rules and more research on the battles and skirmishes and figures and stuff, well I guess it could be awhile. However, most of The Foundry's Victorian era figures can be used here. As lots of Americans fought in this war against the Federales.

If you are tired of the same old Boered War try this on for size- IT WILL BE EXCITING. There is enough information in this booklet to write some preliminary rules, force scale, morale and organizational stuff to set up units and scenarios.

Latin America is the area to look at if you are interested in the period between the Boer War and WWI. There are airplanes, railroads, motor vehicles, machineguns regular troops, irregular troops guerilla action not to mention the banana company wars and US intervention everywhere.

Note: the full text of Notes on the Mexican Army 1900-1920 is in the El Dorado section in MagWeb (linked for your convenience--use your browser's "Back" button to return to The Heliograph.)--RL

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The Foundry: 25mm Victorian Bystanders, Apache (figures)
The Frontier Ablaze (book)