Osprey Men-at-Arms 364 : The Russian Army 1914-1918

Often overshadowed by the drama of its catastrophic collapse in the November 1917 Revolution, the Imperial Russian Army's record in 1914-16 included some notable victories. The role played by the Russian Army in the Great War, holding down huge numbers of German and Austro-Hungarian divisions and to some extent coordinating operations with the Allies on the Western Front, was extremely important. The popular image of the Russian Army is misleading and based mostly on films, eg. 'Dr Zhivago' and 'Nicholas and Alexandra'. At the time of the outbreak of war Russia was caught in the middle of the so-called 'Great Programme' of widespread reforms, and this was raising the standard of the army in many respects. While its weaknesses eventually proved fatal - due as much to political as military incompetence - it did win some major victories: Gen Brusilov was a very respected leader both in Russia and abroad, and his 1916 offensive smashed the Austro-Hungarian army. Its human qualities of patriotism and endurance were remarkable, and in 1916 the 'Brusilov Offensive' on the South-Western Front outdistanced anything that was being achieved in France. Nik Cornish's text is supported by tables of insignia and many rare photographs. The uniforms of the Russian Army are a varied and colourful subject and Russia's leading military artist Andrei Karachtchouk captures the variety and romance of its uniforms - Infantry and Cavalry, Guards and Line, Cossacks, armour and Air Service crewmen, even a Priest.

Contents

• Introduction - The Russian Army and Society
• The 'Great Programme' - Military and Industrial Reforms in 1914
• The Strategic Situation
• Organisation of the Armed Forces
• Chronology of Campaigns
• Uniforms - Parade & Service Dress, Guards, Line, Cossacks, Specialist Troops and Services
• Non-Russian Formations
• Russian Elite Units
• Weapons
• Tactics
• Colour Plates Commentary