The Russian Civil War (1) Format: Paperback

The main instrument with which the Bolsheviks imposed communism on Russia was the Red Army. Traditionally the origins of this army were among the factory workers who laid down their tools and took up arms as a way of expressing their grievances. Already formed by the time of the revolutions of 1905 and February 1917, these militant workers organised themselves into parliamentary detachments known as the krasnogvardeytsi, or 'Red Guards'. In this first of two volumes [see Men-at-Arms 305: White Armies] focusing on the Russian Civil War (1917-1923), Mikhail Khvostov examines the Red Army's organisation, weaponry, uniforms and insignia.

Mikhail Khvostov was born in Moscow in 1950. He has been interested in military history since childhood. He studied at the Moscow College for Foreign Languages. He has worked as an interpreter and a tour guide, but is now producing Russian toy soldiers – a childhood dream. His work for Osprey Publishing includes Men-at-Arms 305 The Russian Civil War (2) White Armies. He is married and lives in Moscow.

Andrei Karachtchouk is a well-known artist of military subjects in Russia, and is active in re-enactment circles. He is also a sculptor who makes, among other projects, master models for the UK-based Anglo-Russian Toy Soldier (ARTS) Company. His previous work for Osprey Military appears in MAA 293 & 305, Russian Civil War Armies (1) Red Army, and (2) White Armies.