Osprey Campaign Series SC (1990-2011 OSPREY) comic books 2009

Volume 203 - 1st printing. "Trenton and Princeton 1776-77!" Written by David Bonk. Art by Graham Turner. Pursued by British forces, Washington and his remaining 5,000 men resolved on a risky strike against the British and Hessian positions across the Delaware River. Crossing the river, Washington took the Trenton garrison for the loss of only four men, before outflanking Cornwallis' 8,000-strong force and marching on Princeton. His military reputation established, Washington's victory restored American morale and turned the tide of the war. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $19.95.

Volume 204 - 1st printing. "The Second Crusade 1148!" Written by David Nicolle. Art by Christa Hook. Despite minor setbacks, Christian Europe had enjoyed success on previous Crusader campaigns. Pursuing an ambitious but politically flawed strategy against an Islamic state friendly to their Crusader neighbours, the knights of the Second Crusade suffered a crushing defeat at Damascus in 1148. This battle shook the Crusaders' belief in their military supremacy, and revived the Islamic states, marking a crucial turning point in the history of the Crusades. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $19.95.

Volume 205 - 1st printing. "Warsaw 1944!" Written by Robert Forczyk. Art by Peter Dennis. Defeated and occupied in 1939, Poland had suffered under the Nazi heel for nearly five years. Undaunted, however, the Poles formed an underground army, the Armia Krajowa (Home Army), and waited for a moment of German weakness. That moment seemed to have arrived in July 1944 as the Soviet armies began to advance into eastern Poland. The AK launched its revolt in Warsaw on 1 August 1944. Though its 5,000 fighters achieved some initial successes, the Germans were able to retain control over both the Vistula River bridges and the airbase, dooming the revolt to isolation and defeat. The SS was put in charge of suppressing the rebellion, beginning a wave of atrocities shocking even by Eastern Front standards. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $19.95.

Volume 206 - 1st printing. "Spartacus and the Slave War 73-71 BC!" Written by Nic Fields. Art by Steve Noon. In the year 73 BC, Spartacus broke out of a gladiatorial training school and formed an army of runaway slaves and people with little to lose. This army defeated two Roman armies and attacked several cities. Terrified lest the revolt spread, the government in Rome assigned Crassus and Pompey to crush to rebellion. They cornered Spartacus and brought him to battle near the source of the river Silarus. During the battle, Spartacus was killed and his army defeated. Crassus crucified 6,000 prisoners as an example to others who might think of revolt. Written by Nic Fields and illustrated by Steven Noon, this campaign title brings to life the story of Rome¹s most famous revolt and the ex-gladiator who led it. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $19.95.

Volume 207 - 1st printing. "Solferino 1859!" Written by Richard Brooks. Art by Peter Dennis. The battle of Solferino, fought during the Franco-Austrian War of 1859, was the largest European battle since Leipzig in 1813. In the presence of three crowned heads of state - Napoleon III of France, Emperor Franz-Joseph of Austria and Victor Emmanuel II of Piedmont-Sardinia (later the King of all Italy) - the armies clashed together in a bitterly fought contest that would leave more than 40,000 dead. As a crucial climax to the Second Italian War of Independence, this title covers the build-up to the battle, including actions at Montebello, Palestro and Magenta that led to the decisive moment of the campaign. Full-colour battle-scene artwork and detailed maps illustrate this comprehensive account of the commanders, armies, plans and aftermath of one of the bloodiest battles of the period. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $19.95.

Volume 208 - 1st printing. "Petersburg 1864-65!" Written by Ron Field. Art by Peter Dennis. In 1864 General Ulysses S. Grant decided to strangle the life out of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia by surrounding the city of Petersburg and cutting off General Robert E. Lee's supply lines. The ensuing siege would carry on for nearly ten months, involve 160,000 soldiers, and see a number of pitched battles including the Battle of the Crater, Reams Station, Hatcher's Run, and White Oak Road. After nearly ten months, Grant launched an attack that sent the Confederate army scrambling back to Appomattox Court House where it would soon surrender. Written by an expert on the American Civil War, this book examines the last clash between the armies of U.S. Grant and Robert E. Lee. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $19.95.

Volume 209 - 1st printing. "Niagara 1814!" Written by Jon Latimer. Art by Graham Turner. The War of 1812 has the strange distinction of being largely forgotten by both of its main participants, and yet its outcome was critically important to the future of North America. In 1814, the Americans launched a last offensive in an attempt to seize Canada. This Niagara campaign saw a number of pitched battles including Chippawa, Lundy's Lane, and Cook's Mill, where the Americans, under competent leaders such as Winfield Scott, matched the British shot for shot. However, due to poor planning the campaign failed and Canada survived as an independent state. A Critically-acclaimed researcher on the War of 1812, author John Latimer presents a new look at an oft forgotten yet crucially important campaign in the history of North America. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $19.95.

Volume 210 - 1st printing. "Operation Dragoon 1944!" By Steven J Zaloga. Operation Dragoon, the Allied landings in southern France on August 15, 1944, was one of the most controversial operations of 1944, leading to a deep divide between United States and British planners. The US objective was to threaten the rear of the German armies occupying France by a landing on the eastern French coast and to push rapidly northward towards Lorraine to meet up with Allied forces bursting out of Normandy. Popular Osprey author Steve Zaloga tells the story of this ultimately successful operation, from the derisive debates between the Allied commanders to the men who hit the beaches and charged ashore to help liberate occupied France. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $19.95.

Volume 211 - 1st printing. "Actium 31 BC!" Written by Si Sheppard. Art by Christa Hook. In 32 BC, the Roman Republic descended into civil war between the forces of the Octavian in the west and the famous lovers Cleopatra and Marc Antony in the East. Acting quickly, Octavian managed to trap his foes in the Gulf of Actium. In the ensuing battle, Anthony and Cleopatra manage to escape, but their military forces and their hopes for victory in the war were crushed. Soon afterward, the lovers committed suicide, and Octavian dissolved the republic and declared himself Emperor. Actium has remained one of the most famous battles of the ancient world thanks to Shakespeare and Hollywood. This new book tells the true story of the decisive and bloody battle that would once and for all seal the fate of the Roman Republic. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $19.95.

Volume 212 - 1st printing. "The Six Day War 1967: Sinai!" Written by Simon Dunstan. Art by Peter Dennis. n May 1967, Egypt expelled the United Nations peacekeeping forces stationed in the Sinai desert and deployed its army along its border with Israel, its moves coordinated with those of Jordan and Syria. By June, Israel realized that the international community would not act, and so it launched a pre-emptive strike against the combined Arab forces. The ensuing Six Day War was a crushing defeat for the Arab world, one that tripled the area controlled by Israel and which sowed the seeds for the Yom Kippur War of 1973 and the continuing strife in the region. Written by the author of Osprey's Yom Kippur War, this volume covers the background to the war and the campaign against the Egyptians in the Sinai Peninsula, including the initial devastating air assault that showed the world how vital air supremacy was in modern combat. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $19.95.

Volume 213 - 1st printing. "Ireland 1649-52!" Written by Michael McNally. Art by Graham Turner. Following the execution of King Charles I in January 1649, the English Parliament saw their opportunity to launch an assault on the Royalist enclave in Ireland. Oliver Cromwell was appointed as Deputy of Ireland to lead a campaign to restore direct control and quell the opposition. The first battle in Cromwell's bloody offensive was at Drogheda, where an assault on the city walls resulted in the slaughter of almost 4000 defenders and inhabitants. The Parliamentary troops then proceeded to Wexford where battle once again lead to a massacre. After Cromwell returned to England, his son-in-law, Henry Ireton, continued the operation which ended with the surrender of Galway in 1652 and led to the Act for the Settlement of Ireland, in which Irish Royalists and Confederates were evicted and their lands 'settled' by those who had advanced funds to Parliament. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $19.95.

Volume 214 - 1st printing. "The Coral Sea 1942!" Written by Mark Stille. Art by John White. The Battle of the Coral Sea is unique in the annals of naval history. It is the first battle in which enemy fleets never came within sight of one another. Instead, aircraft launched from carrier decks were sent out to attack the enemy with bombs and torpedoes. In May of 1942, the Japanese fleet moved on Port Moresby, the last Allied base between Australia and Japan. Forced to respond, the Americans sent two aircraft carriers to protect the base. In the ensuing battle, one American carrier was destroyed and the other severely damaged. However, the Japanese also lost a carrier and decided to withdraw. Although bloody, it proved to be an important strategic victory for the Allies as the Japanese were forced to attempt future attacks on Port Moresby over land. Using the latest research and numerous period photographs, retired USN Commander Mark O Stille tells the story of this important and unique battle in the Pacific War. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $19.95.

Volume 215 - 1st printing. "Leningrad 1941-44!" Written by Robert Forczyk. Art by Peter Dennis. Hitler's protracted siege of Leningrad resulted in one of the most brutal campaigns on the Eastern Front during World War II. The German Army Group North was able to isolate the city and its garrison for a period of 900 days, during which an estimated 1.5 million Soviets died from combat, disease and starvation. For over two years, German forces pounded the city with artillery and air assaults while the Soviets made repeated efforts on the frozen swamplands of the Volkhov Front to break through. Finally, in January 1944, the Soviets were able to break Army Group North's front and relieve Leningrad. While most histories of the siege of Leningrad focus on the plight of the starving civil population, this refreshing title instead examines the strength of the garrison's defenses - which ultimately prevented the Germans from capturing the city - and the growing sophistication of Soviet offensive tactics. Dr Forczyk also provides an assessment of how weather and terrain factors shaped the campaign in this superb addition to the history of the Eastern Front. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $19.95.

Volume 216 - 1st printing. "The Six Day War 1967: Jordan and Syria!" Written by Simon Dunstan. Art by Peter Dennis. Following the lightening destruction of the Egyptian forces at the outbreak of the Six Day War, Israel turned to the forces of Jordan and Syria, with whom Egypt had signed a mutual-defence pact, and which had now entered the war. Jordan's army moved against West Jerusalem and central Israel, while Syria began shelling Israeli towns from the seemingly impregnable Golan Heights. The IDF's invasion of the Golan was as daring and successful as its more famous Egyptian victory, but its success in Jordan - taking the West Bank - sowed the seeds of its future troubles. Comprehensively illustrated with artwork, maps and battlefield views, this new history brings one of the most important of 20th century campaigns to life. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $19.95.