Friday, 27 June 2025

Armies in Africa


I am absolutely delighted to have landed a copy of this at long last - even with a sticker mark slap bang in the centre of the cover!

Just before we headed off to Andalusia I scored a major win on eBay. Unfortunately it was too close to our departure date (09/06) for me to see it before we travelled but it arrived safe and sound whilst we were away.

Colonial Armies - Africa 1850 to 1918 by Peter Abbott was published by Foundry Books in 2006. For a variety of reasons I missed out on getting a copy then and have been on the lookout, off and on, for one since then. I have seen several secondhand copies listed on odd occasions but the price - usually in three figures - was more than the Imperial coffers (not to mention domestic harmony) would stand. So scoring a copy of this for £22 was, as they say in certain quarters, a right result!

The book covers the armies and campaigns over the period mentioned and on a national basis. These are as follows: Congo Free State and Belgian Congo, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain. This is supported by sections on the organisation, warfare, dress and weapons along with 229 figures, 58 illustrations and 2 maps.

For my fledgling 15mm Mikes’s Models Colonial set up - and with the seductive allure of Madasahatta as a gentle reminder - this book is an absolute goldmine of information and inspiration.

Dead chuffed for sure!

8 comments:

The Good Soldier Svjek said...

Cracking book and a good price as well !

Maudlin Jack Tar said...

Looking at the price being quoted from some sellers, that is a bargain!

Trebian said...

That's a top purchase for sure.

David Crook said...

Hi Good Soldier Svjek,

As I recall these books when published were £30 a go - so I am really pleased with the price and of course, the book itself.

All the best,

DC

David Crook said...

Hi MJT,

Absolutely! Gotta love a bargain!

All the best,

DC

David Crook said...

Hello there Trebian,

After having briefly skimmed through I can heartily agree!

All the best,

DC

Steve said...

I really love eBay for things like this. One of my best buys was books one to five of the Book of Hosts army lists by Colin Froud for a very low price.

David Crook said...

Hi Steve,

The only drawback to eBay in my experience is that it can be an expensive pastime…. I was really pleased to get a copy of this book and at a very good price.

All the best,

DC