Shadows : Airlift and Airwar in Biafra and Nigeria 1967-1970 by Michael I. Draper
The Nigerian Civil War broke out in 1967 after the country’s Eastern Region declared itself the independent state of Biafra. The war lasted three years, pitting the Nigerian Air Force against the ill-equipped Biafran Air Force in one of the most intense conflicts ever to occur on African soil. The Biafran Air Force was armed with a motley mix of antiquated and modem aircraft, whereas the Nigerian Air Force was made up of mostly mercenary-crewed MiG 17s, Il 28s and L-29 Delfins. Biafra was not only overshadowed and outclassed by Nigeria, but it was also landlocked for most of the conflict. However, despite the many setbacks, the Biafran Air Force held out, supporting an amazing airlift of food and arms, second only to the Berlin Airlift of 1948. Fusing firsthand accounts and much original documentation, Shadows is the story of the largest civilian relief airlift ever mounted. Shadows was officially launched at the House of Commons in London on January 12, 2000, the 30th anniversary of the end of the Nigerian Civil War. It has already been named the book of the month of April by Aeroplane Monthly and other special features are to appear in Flypast Magazine.