From the Mexican Revolution to the Zarumilla War, in the first 40 years of the 20th century the nations of Central and South America were frequently disturbed by border clashes, civil wars and revolution. Many of these conflicts became known as 'Banana Wars'. Some involved only lightly armed guerrillas, but others saw armies operating artillery and armoured vehicles, supported by aircraft and river navies. The conflicts in Honduras and Nicaragua saw the intervention of US Marines, and later wars involved armour and aircraft from the militaries of Europe.

Using detailed colour plates and a wealth of contemporary photographs, this book shows the uniforms, equipment and strategies of the armies involved in these conflicts little known in the West. Covering wars crossing the length and breadth of the continent, this is the fascinating account of the wars that helped shape modern Latin America.

Contents:

• Introduction: overview of military affairs in Latin America in the period covered
• Central American conflicts, 1900-1940: Panama, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua (Sandino Rebellion and 'Banana Wars'), plus Cuba
• Mexican Civil Wars: De Huerta rebellion 1924, Cristero War 1927, rebellion of 1929
• South American Wars 1910-1930: Brazil's Contestado War 1914, and 1920s civil wars
• South American Wars 1930-41: Paulista War, Brazil, 1932; Leticia War, Peru and Colombia, 1932-34; Zarumilla conflict, Peru and Ecuador, 1941