World War II Soviet Armed Forces (1) 1939–41

by Thomas, Nigel; Pavlovic, Darko

• ISBN13: 9781849084000
• ISBN10: 1849084009
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-10-19
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Summary

This would be a detailed analysis of the Soviet Army at the outbreak of World War II, including the Red Army's campaigns against Japan on the Manchurian plains as well as in Finland. It would also cover the Red Army's first operations during Operation Barbarossa when the Red Army was forced to defend Mother Russia against the German onslaught. This book would offer a breakdown of all the armed forces including the army, air force, paratroopers, navy and NKVD troops. In particular it will cover the evolution of uniforms, equipment and insignia with the introduction of new regulations in 1935 and 1940.

Author Biography

Dr Nigel Thomas is an accomplished linguist and military historian, formerly a Principal Lecturer at Northumbria University, now a freelance military author, translator and military uniform consultant. His interests are 20th century military and civil uniformed organizations, with a special interest in Germany, Central and Eastern Europe. He was awarded a PhD on the Eastern enlargement of NATO.

Table of Contents

The Course of the War in Outline	p. 3
Historical background: the Great War, the Revolutions and Civil War - the interwar period: Khalkin-Gol
The Soviet High Command	p. 4
Stalin and Tukhachevsky - the Great Purge
The People's Commissariat for Defence - Stavka, June 1941
Red Army Land Forces	p. 6
Designations
Personnel: conscription - career structure, NCOs and officers
Branches of service, 1936-41
Organization, 1939-41
Summary of Land Forces Campaigns	p. 14
The 'Re-occupation Campaign': Eastern Poland - Baltic States - Finland: the Winter War - Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina
Early campaigns of the 'Great Patriotic War'
Land Forces Uniforms	p. 16
December 1936 dress regulations
Branch-specific uniforms
Branch distinctions: facing colours
Rank insignia, December 1935 regulations
Red Army Air Force	p. 24
Designations and command
Branches of service, 1936-41
Organization, 1939-41
Summary of Air Force operations
Uniforms, service and field - flying clothing - insignia
Airborne Forces
Navy	p. 36
Designations and command
Branches of service, 1936-41
Organization, 1939-41: fleets - flotillas
Summary of Navy operations
Uniforms, 1935-41
Naval Infantry
NKVD Security Forces	p. 41
Designations and command
Organization, uniforms and insignia
Plate Commentaries	p. 44
Index	p. 48
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