Nigel ThomasHitler’s Russian & Cossack Allies 1941–45 (Men-at-Arms, 503)

During Hitler's ill-fated invasion of the Soviet Union 1941-1945, an estimated half million Soviet citizens served with the German armed forces in various capacities. These erstwhile Soviet citizens served from many motivations, including ethnic and nationalist aspirations outside Soviet domination. The German armed forces incorporated them into a variety of military units serving on the front line against the Soviet armed, in rear areas against Soviet partisans, and elsewhere in Nazi-occupied Europe against Hitler's other enemies.This Osprey Men-at-Arms Series book, "Hitler's Russian & Cossack Allies 1941-45", attempts to capture the shifting military organizations in which these men were employed, and their often makeshift uniforms. This is a very short book at under 50 pages, but author Nigel Thomas attempts to impose order on the evident chaos. The commentary is austere but interesting. The color plates by illustrator Johnny Shumate, and the period photographs, give a good sense of the uniforms in use. Of interest, the German Army seems to have repeatedly reshuffled the former Soviet military formations, based on losses and shifting perceptions of their loyalty. Also of interest, the fate of the ethnic Cossack units, who seem to have fought effectively, and who were repatriated by the Allies to grisly fates at Soviet hands at war's end. Recommended as a very short introduction to the topic.

Interesting. Unusual subject that hasn't been written about a lot. Well written, but a tiny bit dry. IMHO It suffers from the problem a number of the VERY old Osprey have of being written by folks who play 15mm Napoleonic, so they skip anecdotes, and story, and focus on every minute detail of cuff color, button material, unptythousandth official regulation change that shortens sleeve length by 3mm, etc. Otherwise, a good book on the topic.

This book adds another title to Osprey's massive Men-at-Arms series.

fascinating and very informative book

Not a definitive study by any means, but an okay general reference.

I never know about this before!

good book, lots of info.

A GREAT READ!!!!!!!!

Good history book on WW2, good price and on time

Not one of the better Osprey publications. A lot of the material is covered in other books by the same people. I should have gathered that. It collects all the information about the Eastern legions, volunteers and Cossack fighters in one place, which is okay, that obviously means each is covered in less detail though.

Un buen título cómo inicio para conocer las distintas unidades formadas por rusos durante la invasión alemana a la antigua URSS.Se hace un repaso resumido pero riguroso a las primeras unidades auxiliares pasando por los batallones de infantería regular en sus diferentes denominaciones (incluida la Luftwaffe) así como unidades independientes.En especial se describen las unidades tanto de infantería como de caballería cosaca que se formaron.Se echa de menos alguna lámina con los colores de los distintos emblemas de brazo usados especialmente por los cosacos, que aunque se describen, una imagen siempre es más descriptiva.Las laminas de uniformes son de una gran calidad técnica, con una precisión de detalles realmente única.

Autant le dire tout de suite, cet Osprey m'a vraiment laisse sur ma faim. Je ne sais pas si c'est par manque de sources, de temps ou d'effort, mais l'auteur a fait le choix de consacrer l'essentiel de ce volume à la description des uniformes, insignes et décorations diverses des unités de cosaques ayant opéré au profit des forces Allemandes durant la deuxième guerre mondiale et il a négligé le reste.Le lectorat traditionnel des livres publiés par Osprey sera content de trouver de telles informations mais au-delà de l'aspect extérieur de ces troupes supplétives, la moindre des choses aurait été de trouver une mise en contexte ainsi que des explications socio-culturelles, politiques et humaines qui sont autrement plus importantes que telle ou telle breloque.En particulier, les motivations de ces cosaques, l'organisation tactique de leurs unités, les matériels lourds ainsi que leurs zones d'opération (il y eu par exemple de nombreuses unités de cosaques dans les troupes d'occupation en France) ne sont qu'effleurées.Les illustrations de Johnny Shumate sont plutôt meilleures que ce qu'il fait d'habitude et les photos sont correctes mais cela ne suffit pas à rattraper un ensemble que l'on pourrait résumer par la formule "une occasion manquée".

Normal Osprey offering. Good quality overview of the subject with a number of high quality colour profiles.