The Russo-Japanese War 1904 - 05 (Men-at-Arms Series)

Rating:
Summary: A Nice Little Gem
Review: Lately, it seems as if Osprey's Men-at-Arms series has degenerated from its previously decent summaries into a series devoted to explaining obscure military buttons and uniform features. Alexei Ivanov, a former Russian army officer, appears to have actually produced a Men-at-Arms title that is fairly fresh and original, featuring the oft-neglected Russo-Japanese War. Ivanov has not only done excellent research on the Russian side (and readers will enjoy his collection of Russian military photographs), but he has provided good insight into the Japanese side as well. Although Ivanov does discuss uniforms as well as organization, he does not get wrapped up in minor details; instead, he offers a soldier's perspective on why this piece of equipment or uniform item was important. In sum, this little volume on the Russo-Japanese War is a gem.

After a decent introduction and a fairly detailed chronology, Ivanov provides a very interesting section on military innovations in the war (machineguns, communications, trench warfare, observation balloons and guerrilla warfare). For example, few other histories mention that the Russians introduced two wireless radio companies just before the end of the war. Similarly, Ivanov spends the time to discuss how the Russians and Japanese used machineguns differently. For once, a Men-at-Arms title has been written for military specialists and not just model-builders or re-enactors. Ivanov then provides a succinct but detailed summary of the Russian army in 1904, providing details on order of battle, organization, equipment and morale. Although Ivanov spends about seven pages discussing Russian uniforms, he does not beat the reader to death with minutiae. The sections on the Japanese army are noticeably shorter, but quite decent.

The heart of the volume of course is the color plates, which are well worth the cost of this title. The color plates are Russian staff; Russian summer and winter uniforms; Russian Cossacks; Russian Frontier and naval troops; Japanese early war uniforms; Japanese Khaki uniforms; Japanese winter uniforms. The photographs are also quite good, including many from the author's collection.


Rating:
Summary: One of the best Osprey MAA titles
Review: This is what I was looking for about the Russo-Japanese War! Complete research, plenty of rare pictures and detailed artwork about this important and little known conflict between a decadent and an emergent empire, which defined the power distribution in the Pacific until WWII.

Unless it is focused on the land forces, it doesn't avoid talking about the maritime battles which were decisive. Osprey should work in a complementary title regarding these sea battles and navies, as in their Falklands War collection.

Congratulations to Mr. Karachtchouk, he really made an impressive job!!!