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by Philip Jowett.
Softcover (7.25×9.75 inches). 56 pages. 2025.
Subtitle: Revolutions and Border Wars in the Former Austro-Hungarian Empire
To me, Osprey volumes shine when tackling relatively obscure topics. Such overviews can inspire further research into the topic. Such is the case with this volume.
Conventional wisdom says WWI ends with the Versailles Peace Conference, where the Allies dictate terms, countries split off, all the troops go home, and trouble starts up in the 1930s. If you are a little better read, German Freikorps battle communists across Germany. This eye-opening volume covers the troops from a number of countries who battled over post-war borders.
In my ignorance, I had no idea the new countries of Central Europe, including Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (i.e. Yugoslavia), and Romania were shooting it out in a series of mini wars. Hungary even had a Communist government for 133 days before a civil war toppled ‘The Lenin Boys.’
The booklet contains 44 black and white photos, one color photo (1895 Mannlicher rifle), and eight pages of uniform illustrations (24 color uniform illustrations and two color badges).
An excellent introduction to the topic. I’d certainly be interested in Jowett writing a full Osprey book on all these battles and wars.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
