Biafra’s War 1967-1970 - Al J Venter

This review has been submitted to Air Force magazine.

Title: Biafra’s War 1967-1970

Editor: Al J Venter

ISBN: 978-1-910294-69-7

Publisher: Helion

Year: 2015

Hardcover

Pages: 314

Photos/Maps: 149 (b/w) 26 (c)/5

Like many conflicts that ravaged the African continent in the years following the departure of the Colonial powers, the Biafran War has been largely forgotten by the West. It is indicative of how much society has changed that while the Rwandan genocide has become a watch word for deliberate slaughter, the million or so victims of the Biafran war, despite being mainly women and children subject to the cadaverous effects of starvation, did not elicit the international outrage typical of today’s responses. The author’s credibility in writing about this conflict is enhanced by his having been in situ for a significant part of it. Thus he has personally met many of the individuals that he writes about.

There are many facets of Biafra that came to typify African engagements during this period - the 1960’s and 70’s. In this case the engagement of third party nations indirectly or directly supporting one side or the other (or blocking aid) thereby influencing the outcome for national benefit. The British and Soviets each had an interest in helping Nigeria remain united and proactively protected their access to Nigerian oil; thereby finding themselves working together to ensure its continuity. The Portuguese and South Africans, by contrast, favoured Biafran sovereignty. The use of media to try and influence world opinion and the marked lack of response, despite the impact on women and children of the conflict, is indicative of the period in question. Venter’s insightful discussion of these issues provides an interesting counterpoint to similar situations today.

Not surprisingly, it was logistics that ultimately spelled the end for the Biafran cause. Venter goes into a great deal of detail discussing the lengths that the Biafran government undertook trying to ensure a steady flow of supplies into their enclave. Of particular note was the airbridge that served as the lifeline for medicine, ammunition and food for the population. Using primarily Super Constellations and Stratocruisers, these aircraft flew multiple missions per night into an adhoc airfield under the constant threat of air interdiction or bombing. An outstanding example and study in air logistics support.

Mercenaries also played key roles for both the Biafrans and the Nigerians. Undertaking responsibility as combat/transport pilots, trainers, communications and other specialist tasks, they filled the void that the native soldiers could not. Their experiences and treatment are extensively studied by the author and add to the Wild West environment that reflected this region. Names that became synonymous with mercenary operations throughout the African region added Biafra to their battle honours: Count Gustav von Rosen, Mike Gibson, Jan Zumbach, Jay Breytenbach, “Taffy” Williams, Rolf Steiner and Ares Klootwyk. Additionally, groups such as Medecins Sans Frontieres also had their origins in Biafra and are discussed at length by the author.

A further aspect of note covered by the narrative was the extensive improvisation used by the Biafrans to offset the lack of consistent logistics support. Thousands of cottage industries coordinated by the Biafran government made uniforms, distilled fuel, modified weapon systems, made tanks and developed unique weapons (such as the Ojukwu Bucket that acted as a deadly yet primitive claymore style mine). The creative ability of the Biafran people was extremely noteworthy and flies in the face of many preconceived notions of African peoples.

The author rounds out his narrative with a look ahead and behind for this region of Africa. His discussion of the causes of the fracture within the Nigerian confederation are enlightening and insightful and his observations on the effects of Boko Haram and the erosion of cohesion along religious as well as ethnic lines, cause for concern.

Helion has once again published a book of the highest quality, replete with excellent photographs (colour and b/w) as well as very useful maps. Venter has provided the reader with a work that, while on balance favouring the Biafran perspective, nevertheless gives due credit to the efforts of the Nigerian Federal leader’s success at reconciliation following the cessation of hostilities. His work captures the complexity and the nuance of the conflict and presents a tantalizing glimpse of what an African society is capable of when free from the shackles of endemic corruption. A book well worth reading.