The Red Army 1922-41

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This study examines the organization, history, and uniforms of the Soviet Red Army during the two decades from its Civil War victory to the German invasion in 1941. Following the Bolshevik triumph over the 'Whites,' the Red Army underwent significant developments, yet remained largely unprepared for Germany's Operation Barbarossa in June 1941. The 1920s saw a reduction in size and a focus on modernization, as the army was deployed to suppress anti-Bolshevik opposition across the USSR, particularly in Ukraine and Central Asia, and to engage in a brief conflict with Chinese Manchuria. The 1930s brought devastating purges of the officer class under Stalin, yet the Red Army still achieved victories against Imperial Japan in the Nomonhan region (1938-39), where General Zhukov distinguished himself. Concurrently, the Soviet Union supported the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War (1936-39). The non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany allowed Stalin to annex half of Poland in September 1939, but the subsequent 'Winter War' against Finland exposed serious deficiencies in the army's readiness for modern warfare, a reality shockingly confirmed during the early days of Operation Barbarossa. Through rare photos and detailed color artwork, this study delves into the Red Army's interwar history, campaigns, organization, and uniforms.