Japanese Military Uniforms 1841–1929

This volume in the Asia@War Series offers a fascinating look at the development of Japanese military uniforms during one of the most transformative periods in Japan’s history. Covering the years from the late Tokugawa era through to the early twentieth century, the book traces how Japan’s armed forces evolved visually and structurally as the country modernised and emerged as a major military power.

One of the most interesting sections focuses on the final decades of the Shogunate. Here the author explores the mix of traditional Japanese dress and early Western military influence that began appearing in the 1840s and 1850s. These uniforms reflect a military establishment in transition, experimenting with foreign styles while still rooted in older traditions.

The book then moves into the dramatic changes that followed the Meiji Restoration. During this period Japan rapidly restructured its military along European lines, and the uniforms documented here show clear influences from French and later German designs. Nakanishi does a good job highlighting how these imported styles were adapted to Japanese needs, producing distinctive uniforms that blended Western military fashion with local practicality.

Another key section covers the period around the Russo-Japanese War. By this point Japan had developed a professional modern army, and the uniforms illustrated in the book reflect a force that had come into its own. Field uniforms, parade dress, and specialist equipment are all examined, showing the increasing sophistication of the Japanese military establishment.

Visually, the book is one of the strongest entries in the series. The numerous and detailed colour illustrations provide clear views of different ranks, branches, and uniform variations. For readers interested in military history, wargaming, or historical modelling, these plates are particularly useful for understanding how uniforms changed over time.

Overall, this is a concise but informative study that successfully captures the evolution of Japanese military dress from the twilight of the samurai age to the modern army of the early twentieth century. Accessible and lavishly illustrated, it’s an enjoyable and useful reference for anyone interested in the military history of Japan. 

Of course, this volume will be invaluable for anyone motivated by my recent reviews of Sunstruck Giant, covering the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 to dig deep into the uniforms of the Japanese armed forces. I include myself in that category......

ISBN: 978-1-804517-73-4                        88 Pages                          Paperback

Sino-Japanese War 1894–1895

 

John Dong’s hefty second volume of Sunstruck Giant, The Sino-Japanese War of 1894–1895 is a confident, clear-eyed continuation that picks up exactly where the first left off—immersing the reader in the closing stages of the First Sino-Japanese War with the same calm authority, sharp detail, and unshowy narrative control that made volume 1 such a pleasant surprise.

Where the first volume established the foundations such as structures, doctrines, and the contrasting cultures of two late-nineteenth-century militaries, the second moves decisively into the meat of the campaign. Dong analyses the war’s later operations with an admirable balance: he neither romanticises nor ridicules either side, and instead opts for a measured assessment grounded firmly in contemporary sources. It feels refreshingly even-handed.

The real strength of this volume is how Dong explains both success and failure without resorting to simple caricatures. Japanese efficiency is not portrayed as an inevitability, nor is Qing collapse treated as pre-ordained. Instead, Dong takes the reader through the unravelling of systems—logistics under strain, command structures buckling, political interference compounding battlefield weaknesses. His analysis of decision-making at the operational level is one of the book’s real highlights.

As in the first volume, the battles are described cleanly and without clutter. There is enough tactical detail to give the wargamer or military historian something to chew on, but never so much that the wider picture becomes obscured. The final chapters, dealing with the campaign’s aftermath and the broader consequences for East Asia, are particularly effective—crisp, confident, and never slipping into textbook detachment.

Production-wise, Helion continue to play to their strengths. The maps are clear, the colour plates are as one would expect, being vividly colourful and full of action. The black and white illustrations are numerous and well chosen, and the overall presentation supports rather than overwhelms the narrative.

In short, this volume is a worthy continuation of what the first started: a thoughtful, well-constructed, and highly readable account of a war that deserves far more attention than it has traditionally received. Dong closes out his study with assurance and insight, making this pair of volumes an easy recommendation for anyone interested in late-Qing military history, Meiji Japan, or the shifting balance of power that shaped modern East Asia.

ISBN:978-1-806721-53-5 430 Pages Paperback

The Serbian Army in the Wars for Independence against Turkey 1876–1878

This is dangerous reading for wargaming butterflies like me, but only if I decide to start collecting in smaller scales such as 10mm. Phew! 

For those interested in nineteenth-century military conflicts or the history of modern Serbia, Dušan Babac’s ‘The Serbian Army in the Wars for Independence against Turkey 1876–1878’ (from Helion’s from Musket to Maxim series) provides a detailed and visually informative account worth reading. I knew next to nothing about this conflict so was excited to be able to learn something new. I believe this is an updated version of the original 2015 publication. 

I found thus book was not your typical dry military history. Babac weaves together strategy, politics, and national identity to tell the story of Serbia’s hard-fought emergence from Ottoman rule. The 1876–1878 wars (there were two) were more than just a regional conflict;
they were a turning point in the Balkans that helped redraw the map of Southeast Europe.

The book is broken down into six main sections; The First Serbo-Turkish War 1876, the Roleof Volunteers (which  was significant), The Second Serbo-Turkish War 1877–1878, Weaponry and Equipment, Uniforms and Standards, Orders and Decorations. There are two appendices covering European opinion on the wars and Prince. Milan’s Order on the Occasion of the Independence of Serbia. This book excels in its detailed research and presentation, featuring dozens of rare photos, uniform illustrations, maps, and pictures of surviving artefacts. The quality and sheer number of photographs gives a lasting impression of not just reading about the soldiers and commanders, but also seeing them.

The author also provides context for the development of the Serbian army, describing its attempt to modernise amidst influences from old Ottoman tactics and new European strategies. The writing highlights how Serbia's military efforts were closely linked to its pursuit of independence and how the war influenced the country's future.

A notable aspect of this book is its nuanced portrayal of the conflict. Babac offers an impartial treatment of the Ottoman forces, avoiding the tendency to depict them merely as adversaries. This balanced perspective enhances the narrative's depth and credibility.

Nevertheless, the book primarily focuses on the military aspects. It does not offer a thorough examination of the civilian experience during the war, nor does it delve into the wider social ramifications of the conflict. That is not the intention of the author. However, in its aim to investigate the role of the Serbian army in a pivotal struggle for national survival, it succeeds admirably.

If you are into military history, this book is a gem. It is informative, engaging, and beautifully produced with much emphasis placed on the visual. Whether you are already interested in Balkan history or just starting to explore the region’s past, Dušan Babac delivers a compelling and accessible read. For me this was a wonderful introduction to a previously unknown conflict and has whetted my appetite for more.

The French Republic's Fighting Men 1880–1914

 

Something a little different this time, and not a Helion book. Wendell Schollander is not an author I have come across before, but when I was asked to review his latest book, The French Republic’s Fighting Men 1880–1914, the subject matter alone was enough for me.

When one thinks of the period covered by the book the terms La Belle Époque and Fin de Siècle and all that those terms encompass leap front and centre into one’s mind, mine at least, in particular epitomises how the ideals and optimism of the era leading up to the outbreak of the First World War were rapidly shattered on the battlefields of Northern and Eastern France.

The author has researched the army of the French Third Republic exhaustively, and has been able to use much previously unavailable or difficult to access information and data. He presents us with a comprehensive and engaging account of the officers and men of the army to a level hitherto not examined; for example the ethnicity and prior backgrounds of the men making up the metropolitan and colonial armies. It is easy to regurgitate what is written on the back cover of the book, but there are essentially three sections covering the officers, the soldiers and the Foreign Legion.

Of the officers, Wendell examines their social backgrounds, their role, the emergence of the political left and the role Jewish officers played in the army. Interestingly with the exception of the repercussions felt by the Dreyfus affair, during the whole period covered by this study, antisemitism was not a significant issue nor was being Jewish a barrier to promotion. Equally interesting and so very French (and also undoubtedly typical of military bureaucracies the world over) the army had regulations requiring that brides of officers had a dowry, implying overtly that officers’ pay was insufficient to support a wife, and if he wanted to marry he had to find a woman with money!

The author’s analysis of the French rank and file covers areas such as regional and racial ethnicity, language, recruitment and conscription. A large section of the book is devoted to the French Foreign Legion, and again the background and nationalities of the non-commissioned officers and men, discipline, drinking and desertion are examined, as are statistics around deaths in action during different campaigns.

All of this provides for a colourful account of the army. The book includes references to many personal and official documents together with some amusing anecdotes relating to the Legion Mystique.

For me the most striking part of the book are the numerous and evocative contemporary, proudly posed, photographs of soldiers from the whole range of units in the army; for example cuirassiers, chasseurs, spahis, turcos, zouaves. Together these images capture the life and soul of the French army and of La Belle Époque. I spared a moment to think of what became of them.

If you have an interest in the pre-First World War French army then this book is for you, and for further reading and research the author has provided an extensive bibliography.


ISBN 978-8-9884235-6-0. 118 pages, soft covers.

Crimean War Game - the Directors Cut

Following on from the game last Saturday we agreed that those of us who were available would try the scenario again, which is what we did on Friday. This time I reinforced both armies. The Otomans had their two-gun battery increased to three guns. The British were given a completely new battery of Royal Artillery while the Russians benefitted from the troops I’d left off last time, ie a fourth brigade of cavalry and the divisional artillery and the horse artillery were increased to their ‘official’ strengths of 12-gun batteries, represented by six models each! The Russians also received two battalions of reservists and two of sailors. 

The objectives were to be the same but Paul allowed us to keep our cavalry off table if we wished so they could arrive in the rear or on the flanks of the British. The Ottomans could do the same. Paul umpired and played the Ottoman commander, Makkem Bey, and Conrad and I were the Russians. Jim and Richard were the British. On to battle.

Russian left flank with the advancing British in the far distance.

My artillery on the ridge. 

More guns and the Naval infantry.

The British advanced, 1st Division on their left and the Light Division on their right. The cavalry brought up the rest.

HM 23rd Fusiliers 

The British line. 

The 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers again. They were to make several attempts to dislodge the Russians from the ridge.

Conrad moved his artillery forward to bombard the Turks while his infantry began their advance.

The battlefield as seen from behind the British line.

The leading battalions of the Light Division reach the river.

My Russian riflemen attempting to slow the enemy advance.

The ridge was held by a brigade of Russians plus the Naval battalions.

The British moved across the river, seemingly unstoppable.

Conrad’s force approaching the Ottoman fort.

The Light Brigade alerted to the presence of enemy to the rear.

Four regiments of Russian cavalry and a half-battery of horse artillery. The uhlans were prevented from advancing when Jim turned his artillery (in the distance on the hill) about 180 degrees and caused a fair bit of damage to the uhlans. My horse artillery forced the 17th Lancers to retire and the Cossacks charged the 15th Hussars but were driven back. The Cossack commander was also killed.

The 23rd attack on the Russian artillery was beaten back (phew!)

The rest of the Russians on the ridge were being shot down by the highly effective Minee rifle-armed British. They were fo4ced to pull back to safety. My hussars were just getting in the way.

Russians lurking in the scattered woodland lining the stream.

Retiring Russian artillery forced from their position. I really must paint up my limbers that I’ve been trawling off eBay for several years.

The 23rd attacked the Russian gun line again, this time forcing the gunners  To limber up and get away.

This left room for a counter attack by the Russian infantry, which successfully destroyed the 23rd Fusiliers! Hurrah!

The Guards were a different kettle of fish and they drove all before them. They looked very impressive, that is until the whole brigade was forced to pull back after the Coldstream Guards (above) were blasted back by my cannon.

Priest blessing the troops.

The Russian secret weapon, a mobile Icon to boost the morale of their men.

Meanwhile Conrad had driven off two battalions of Turks stationed outside the fort but the subsequent assault on the fort was driven back by the determine defence of the Turkish defenders. Paul’s cavalry also made an appearance and caught a half battery of Russian artillery in the flank,  but Conrad’s own cavalry was about to hit them in the rear or flank.

At this point we had to end the game. The Russians had successfully held the ridge; the appearance of our cavalry in their rear had forced the British to redeploy a battery of Royal Artillery which had been making life difficult for me on the ridge. This alone made my cavalry’s rather lacklustre performance worth it. Sadly the Turks still held their fort but it was only a matter of time (imho). The result was too close to call but as things stood the Russians had the edge.

This was a great game, and over the five hours we played 18 turns and still had room for pizza at lunchtime. It was also great to see my Crimean collection out on the table again. I love the uniforms of the British, painted about twenty years ago if not longer. Despite the war itself not being packed full of game-able battles a little imagination in creating alternate scenarios such as this fictional Danube campaign goes a long way towards getting lots of enjoyment from the period. I have no desire to paint any more figures for the British but I could, as mentioned earlier, finish the limbers. Oh, and there are several boxes of plastic Russians somewhere in the greenhouse……

I must now prioritise finishing my 1808 Russians so we can play a Russo-Swedish War game sometime soon.

It’s the Other Partizan tomorrow so that shove a good day out. If you see me do say hello.

20mm European Building

I finally finished this piece this afternoon. It’s a 3D print of one of the gates of Leipzig rather averagely painted and based by me.

I’m still preferring 20mm or 1/72 scales buildings for 28mm games as they have a small footprint. If you recall I have lots of scruffied up HO railway models and they work fine imho. The hussars in the photo are 28mm and I don’t think they look out of place and they certainly won’t with thousands of miniatures on the table! 

I’ve a few more 20mm buildings to finish, mainly for the Fall of France but some more from the excellent Leipzig range.