Description
Book SynopsisThis study explores the organization, history and uniforms of the Soviet Red Army during the 20 years between its victory in the Civil War and the invasion of the USSR by Germany in 1941.
The two decades following the Bolshevik victory over the ''Whites'' in the Russian Civil War saw widespread and fundamental developments for the Red Army. Nevertheless, these still left it largely unready to face Germany''s Operation Barbarossa in June 1941. Having been reduced in size and planning for modernization, the Red Army of the 1920s was employed to ruthlessly crush anti-Bolshevik opposition (real or suspected) in several regions of the USSR, notably Ukraine and Central Asia, and to fight a brief border war against Chinese Manchuria.
During the 1930s, Stalin virtually ''beheaded'' the army by a needless series of murderous purges of the officer class; despite this, the Red Army was victorious in clashes against Imperial Japan in the Nomonhan region in 193839,
Trade Review
It is a very well laid out book in the series, that for a modeller would be a focal point for colour schemes and layout, and also for anybody researching or having an interest in this rather stark period of history. -- Susan Wilson * Army Rumour Service *
Ideal for figure modellers and wargamers for painting references * Military Model Scene *
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION THE RED ARMY IN THE 1920s Strength Clandestine contacts with Germany The role of political commissars CAMPAIGNS IN THE 1920s Anti-Basmachi campaigns, 1920s–30s The Sino–Soviet War, 1929 The ‘secret invasion’ of Afghanistan, 1929 THE RED ARMY IN THE 1930s Expansion and re-equipment Cossacks in the Red Army 1936–41 Formation of armoured units, 1922–41 Soviet security forces, 1922–41 Stalin’s purges, 1934–41 CAMPAIGNS IN THE 1930s Far Eastern border clashes: Changkufeng, 1938, and Khalkin Gol, 1939 Soviet invasion of Poland, September 1939 The Russo–Finnish ‘Winter War’, 1939–40 The Red Army in 1941 UNIFORMS, 1922–41 Headgear Helmets Field and service uniforms Legwear and footwear Greatcoats and protective clothing Rank and insignia Branch colours Branch insignia SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY PLATE COMMENTARIES INDEX
