Russian Soldier vs Japanese Soldier: Manchuria 1904–05

Osprey Combat #39

by David Campbell, Steve Noon (Illustrations)

This fully illustrated study tells the story the fighting men of the Russo-Japanese War and how these two empires clashed, heralding a new phase in modern warfare as World War I loomed on the horizon.

At the turn of the 20th century, the region of Manchuria sat atop a potentially catastrophic political fault line; the ancient strength of China was crumbling, leaving opportunities for both Russia and Japan to claw out new territories from the edges of that dying empire. Russian pride would contend with Japanese ambition in a conflict that ushered in the age of massed armies fighting on battlefields that were being redefined by the new tools of war such as newer, larger artillery pieces, and the use of machine guns in pitched battles. The vast, but over-stretched Russian Army was expected to steamroller its far smaller opponent, but the aggressiveness and zeal of the more modern Japanese military confounded expectations.

Genres: Russia, Military History, History

80 pages, Paperback

Published March 19, 2019

About the author

David Campbell has worked as a new media producer and content specialist for many years, including roles at IBM, the BBC, various Internet consultancies and the British civil service. He is the author of a number of titles for Osprey.

Reviews

[Glyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first one of the "combat" series that I have read and I really like the format and the concept behind it.

Focussing on the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 Campbell brings plenty of insight into the forces involved with a brief introduction as to what brought the war about. I apprectiated the concise and easy to read distillation of the causes and the qualities and weaknesses of the opposing forces.

His main focus is the fighting in Manchuria leading up to the brutal battle of Mukden. Campbell gives descriptions of a series of engagements from the crossing of the Yalu by Imperial Japanese forces tharough fighting at Cairn Hill and 203 metre Hill by Port Arthur. The innovative dual perspective plates are a fascinating addition to the Osprey armoury and bring a lot to the books There are excellent photographs and the quality of the artwork is very high. I was particularly impressed by the descriptions of the battlefield and how multiple commanders are analysed in text boxes clearing up more of the main body for narative description

The battles are sub divided into 3 sections; Prelude to battle, Into Battle and an analysis at the end. All of which is in Campbell's clear and comprehensible style.

I found this informative if not definitve. I learned much about the conflict and will doubtless pick up further books in this series.

[Tom Andersson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anledningen att jag inte ger denna boken mer än 2 stjärnor är att den är tunn när det gäller analysen av slagen och ganska mycket helt saknar en jämförelse mellan den japanska soldaten mot den ryska. Det är ändå en del bra information men ganska tunt. Ex görs ingen genomgång eller analys av slaget vid Mukden.

[Johnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overall view of the war. It could've had more information about the war, but it was good. If you want an accurate, great summary of the war, read this book.