A compact, richly illustrated reference, Red Army Uniforms and Insignia, 1944 brings together clear photographs, line drawings, and authoritative captions to document the clothing, rank badges, and unit insignia worn by Soviet forces at the height of the Second World War. Designed for collectors, historians, and reenactors, this volume focuses on practical identification: how to distinguish branch, rank, and period‑specific variations at a glance, and how small details—collar tabs, shoulder boards, piping, and field modifications—reveal a soldier’s role and unit.
The book opens with a concise overview of uniform regulation and wartime adaptation, explaining how shortages, field repairs, and local workshops produced a wide range of accepted variations. Photographic plates show both regulation dress and common field improvisations, while annotated close‑ups highlight the diagnostic features that matter most to the reader: stitching patterns, button types, maker marks, and the placement of insignia. A clear, consistent caption style makes it easy to compare items across plates and to cross‑reference descriptions with the identification keys in the back of the book.
Practical sections cover headgear, tunics, greatcoats, trousers, boots, and accoutrements, with separate entries for branch‑specific items used by infantry, armor, artillery, engineers, and signal troops. A dedicated chapter on rank and unit insignia explains the evolution of shoulder boards and collar patches, shows examples of wartime manufacture and repair, and lists the visual cues that distinguish regular army, militia, and NKVD formations. For collectors, the book includes a short guide to dating and authenticating pieces, noting common reproduction pitfalls and the kinds of wear that indicate genuine wartime use.
Throughout, the tone is practical and evidence‑based: captions and notes stick to observable details rather than speculation, and the photographic record is used to support identification rather than to illustrate narrative history. A compact glossary defines technical terms, and a brief bibliography points readers to more extensive monographs and archival sources for deeper research.
Whether you are cataloguing a private collection, preparing a museum label, or simply curious about the material culture of the Eastern Front, this volume offers a focused, user‑friendly toolkit for recognizing and understanding Red Army dress and insignia as they appeared in 1944. Its combination of clear plates, annotated detail, and concise guidance makes it an essential pocket reference for anyone working with Soviet military uniforms from the period.