Shadows: Airlift & Airwar in Biafra & Nigeria 1967-1970

"Describes fully for the first time the aviation aspects of the Nigerian Civil War, Biafra's motley mix of antiquated and modern aircraft was acquired through various dubious and clandestine channels. They faced the Nigerian Air Force. Largely Soviet-supplied and mercenary7-crewed MiG-17s. L-29 Delfins and Hyushin II-28s. Despite being lan-locked for most of the war Biafra held out, its only link to the outside world being an air bridge to a converted bush airstrip deep in the Biafran heartland. The strip supported an amazxing airlift of arms and food--the largest civilian relief airlift in history--which, for almost 18 months kept a nation alive. A special section traces the intgiguing web of British aircraft dealers trying to sell aircraft to the Biafran government--expressly against the wishes of Whitehall."--Dust cover