The Chinese People’s Liberation Army since 1949: Ground Forces Book Review
By David L. Veres
| Date of Review | January 2013 | Title | The Chinese People’s Liberation Army since 1949: Ground Forces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Benjamin Lai | Publisher | Osprey Publishing |
| Published | 2012 | ISBN | 9781780960562 |
| Format | 64 pages, softbound | MSRP (USD) | $18.95 |
Review
The recent spate of studies on China's muscular military continues with an excellent little handbook from Osprey.
The lavishly illustrated The Chinese People's Liberation Army since 1949: Ground Forces – part of the publisher's popular "Elite" series – tells the total tale in just 64 colorful pages.
Author Lai's treatment traces the history of PLA regular and reserve forces, the People's Armed Police, and the People's Militia. Contents recap Chinese command levels, educational institutions, training efforts, defense industries, military regions and local forces. Unit notes detail organization from army group to squad. And AFVs, airborne assets, border security troops, political commissars, and even the PLA Railroad Corps make appearances.
I especially enjoyed coverage of the PLA during the 1960s and 1970s. Now I know why Chinese infantry didn't wear protective steel or composite helmets for years!
Photos, extended captions, color plates and informative illustrations season this engaging effort. The uniform and insignia details will certainly delight heraldry enthusiasts. And charts, bibliography and index complete contents.
Make this timely title your introduction to the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
Highly recommended.
My sincere thanks to Osprey Publishing for this review sample!