Edwin HerbertFollowing on from the author’s highly-acclaimed Small Wars and Skirmishes, this volume covers the most significant `small wars’ of the interwar period up to the Italian occupation of Abyssinia in 1935–36. Coverage is also extended to include the activities of `social bandits’ – as exemplified by Lampião, the `Bandit King of Brazil’ – since the tactics employed by both sides in such conflicts often mirrored those utilised in colonial warfare. It was during this period that the colonial powers embarked on a process of consolidation (often euphemistically referred to at the time as `pacification’) involving the controversial use of aerial policing and the deployment of large regular armies, supported by aircraft, armoured cars and tanks to counteract the increasing firepower, nationalistic fervour, and religious fanaticism of irregular forces and their increasingly successful guerrilla tactics. Its title Risings and Rebellions reflects this change in emphasis compared with earlier colonial campaigns. Indeed, the sheer scale of such wars as the risings against the French and Spanish in Morocco and the Italian reconquest of Libya takes them out of the category of `small wars’ altogether. The author illustrates the main types of campaign involved, the organisation of forces, the effects of new weaponry, and the tactics that the indigenous peoples adopted to counter the technology of the colonial invaders, particularly by applying their local knowledge of some of the most difficult terrain in the world. In most cases at least one battle or skirmish is described in some detail in order to give a flavour of the significant factors involved. Sketch maps are provided to indicate the main campaigns and illustrations show the uniforms or tribal dress of the combatants. There are also appendices on weaponry and equipment, mechanised vehicles, communications, and the use of aircraft, armoured cars and tanks. Read More Read Less