Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Guns Of The Soviet Union

Self-propelled anti-aircraft guns of the Soviet Union

Mike Guardia, Osprey New Vanguard, No 222; £9.99

This volume covers from the March 1945 ZSU 37, through the ZSU 57-2 and ZSU 23-4, to the 9K22 Tunguska (also known by NATO as the SA-19 Grison).

Each vehicle is analysed in terms of development history, technical specification, and operational history – in Soviet operations and in such conflicts as the Arab-Israeli wars. One interesting aspect for wargamers is the dual role of weapons such as the ZSU 23-4 (and, incidentally, the US M42 Duster) – air defence, and convoy protection. There are several accounts of Soviet use of the ZSU 23-4 in Afghanistan, where its ability to elevate to +85 degrees meant that it was ideal for tackling mujahideen on the upper reaches of high gorges. As wargamers, do we take sufficient account of factors like this, including the similar issue of limited depression of Soviet main tank guns compared to their NATO counterparts? ‘Minus one on firing downhill if Soviet MBT…’?

Chris Jarvis