Cold War Veterans Blog

The Bay of Pigs
Cuba 1961

Author: Alejandro de Quesada
Illustrator: Stephen Walsh

I just finished this title from Osprey Publishing called " The Bay of Pigs" it is 64 pages packed with the little known details of Cuban exile Assault Brigade 2506 at the Bay of Pigs on April 17, 1961. This incident was as Cold War as it gets. JFK's decision had condemned them to constant attacks by Castro’s air force dooming the mission. The lack of coherent strategy and the unwillingness of the white house to provide more overt support throughout the whole planning of the operation leads one to believe we underestimated what it would take to get rid of Castro's regime .

The books details the unit history and order of battle as well as documenting the the actual three day operation. Castro's forces involved in the battle are covered in depth with great photographs from each side. The use and loss of American pilots during the operation was one of the more interesting tidbits. The use of US assets in a more relevant way might have turned the tide for Brigade 2506 but the White house's fear of escalation and a confrontation with the Russians ultimately led to failure of the operation.

Well written and fantasticly illustrated this book is a must have for anyone seriously studying the Cold War.

Sean Eagan Chairman American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

http://americancoldwarvets.org/

Sean.Eagan@gmail.com

Order this book

Elite 166
Author: Alejandro de Quesada
Illustrator: Stephen Walsh

About this bookThe landings by the Cuban exile Assault Brigade 2506 at the Bay of Pigs on April 17, 1961 led to three days of savage but unequal combat. Before they even sailed for Cuba, a White House decision had condemned them to constant attacks by Castro’s air force, which sank two of their ships loaded with vital supplies and equipment. Despite stubborn resistance to Castro’s troops and tanks, and heroic sorties by Cuban and American B-26 pilots, the Brigade was strangled for lack of firepower and ammunition. Their story is illustrated with rare photos from Brigade veterans, and detailed color plates of the uniforms and insignia of both sides.