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Book Review
Battlegroup Leopard
Battlegroup Leopard - Australian Armour Exercises In The North
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by: Paul Truhe [ PTRUHE ]

Introduction
The Australian Army of the '80-'90s was largely comprised of vehicles like the M113 and Leopard that were built elsewhere but modified to accommodate the harsh conditions found in Australia. Battlegroup Leopard is a fantastic pictorial insight into the Australian Army in such conditions.

Review
The book is softcover 64 pages in A4 portrait layout. All color photos. The author is Michael Cecil who is the former Head of Military Heraldry and Technology at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Australia, author of "Leopard AS1 – Leopard in Australian Service" and co-author of the Haynes "Leopard 1 Main Battle Tank Owners' Workshop Manual".

Leading off is the background behind the move of forces to Northern Australia and the units comprising Battlegroup Leopard in 1994 which includes the 1st Armoured Regiment, Australia's only tank regiment. What follows is a plethora of pictures of armor and soft skin vehicles romping through the bush of Northern Australia including the Leopard AS1 tank, Leopard ARVM recovery, M113 LRV and MRV, M0808, M577, M-548, LAV-25 trial vehicles, Kiowa helicopter and a large variety of wheeled support and transport vehicles.

Each picture is well captioned. Great insight into not just the combat exercise but also the required supporting operations.

Conclusion
Fantastic coverage of vehicles and soldiers of the Australian Army on exercise not seen anywhere else. Essential for anybody interested in modern Australian armor.

First published in 1998, you can pick up a used copy for $50 or it is now available from Trackpad Publishing (https://www.trackpadpublishing.com/) at a more reasonable standard retail price.
SUMMARY
Highs: Fantastic coverage of vehicles and soldiers of the Australian Army on exercise not seen anywhere else.
Lows:
Verdict: Essential for anybody interested in modern Australian armor.
Percentage Rating
98%
  Scale: N/A
  Mfg. ID: ISBN: 0958723303
  PUBLISHED: May 17, 2020
  NATIONALITY: Australia
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 92.19%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 95.53%

About Paul Truhe (ptruhe)
FROM: TEXAS, UNITED STATES

Built military models in my youth but didn't pick it up again until a few years out of college. Served in a mortar platoon in the 2nd Armored Division from 1986-1990 at the end of the Cold War. I only build armor now with primary interests being M113s, CVR(t)s and Leopards.

Copyright ©2021 text by Paul Truhe [ PTRUHE ]. All rights reserved.



   
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