Osprey Men-at-Arms Series SC (1973-2011 OSPREY) comic books 2009

Volume 443 - 1st printing. "The Army of Herod the Great!" Written by Samuel Rocca. Art by Christa Hook. Herod was Rome's most important and powerful ally at the end of the Republic. Although he has entered posterity as a ruthless ruler not only against his own family but also, according to the gospel of Matthew, as the instigator of the slaughter of the innocents. However, he was also an able administrator who developed a powerful army. At it's peak Herod's army could field approximately 40,000 men. Comprised of both Judaean and mercenary soldiers with troops from the Germanic tribes to Parthians to Romans. As a result of this varied composition it showed both strong Hellenistic influence in its armour and cavalry and Roman influence in its use of heavy infantry making it an intriguing topic for military history enthusiasts. This book will be a fascinating look at the ancient army of Herod the Great which will use the latest Israeli archaeological reports and finds, including weapons and armour fragments. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 447 - 1st printing. "The Czech Legion 1914-20!" Written by David Bullock. Art by Ramiro Bujeiro. The Czech Legion was not just a single military unit, but a volunteer army that fielded up to 100,000 troops on the Allied side on all three main fronts of the war. Since only the defeat of Austro-Hungary and Germany offered any hope for Czech national independence, they were amongst the most motivated and steadfast of the Allied forces. After the Bolshevik Revolution, they fought their way across Russia, captured the Russian national gold reserves and used this as a bargaining chip to force the Bolsheviks to allow them to return home. Today the Legion is recognised as the founding fathers of Czech nationhood. This very colourful force of World War I has never before been detailed in English and is illustrated with an astonishing array of never-before-published photographs. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 451 - 1st printing. "Imperial Roman Naval Forces 31 BC-AD 500!" Written by Raffaele D'Amato. Art by Graham Sumner. The Roman Navy, although somewhat overshadowed by the legions, played an important role for the Roman Empire. For the Army to conquer and rule its vast territories, control of the sea lanes was essential. The navy fleets needed to be structured and powerful in order to dominate the trade routes, transport legions and defend and attack against pirates and other enemies. Under Augustus in 31BC, the navy consisted of 800 warships with many being sent to Ravenna and Misenus in Italy, and smaller squadrons to the external coasts and to the major rivers to support land operations. This book provides a detailed re-evaluation of the vital contribution made by the Roman navy to Roman imperial power, covering the organisation of the fleets and the everyday life of the soldiers. Previously unpublished research is complemented by superb colour reconstructions of the uniforms and equipment, making this a central resource on a neglected piece of ancient history. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 452 - 1st printing. "The Belgian Army in World War I!" Written by Ronald Pawly and Pierre Lierneux. Art by Patrice Courcelle. While small in numbers, the Belgian Army played a vital role in World War 1 that is often overlooked. Germany's invasion of neutral Belgium, which led Britain to declare war in August 1914, should have been swift and fierce yet the unexpected heroic defence, against great odds, of Belgian fortresses, frustrated the German Schlieffen Plan for a thrust to Paris and a lightning victory. The plucky Belgian resistance proved successful in buying time for French and British troops to mobilize and report to the front, where the Belgians would then go on to fight, stubbornly defending the northern end of the Allied trench line for the rest of the war. Discover the story of this determined Army, from their organization and commanders, to their uniforms and equipment. The only main combatant army of World War I not previously covered by Osprey, this volume will be an important addition to any enthusiast's collection, accompanied by detailed artwork and archive photographs. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 453 - 1st printing. "Armies of the East India Company 1750-1850!" Written by Stuart Reid. Art by Gerry Embleton. Contrary to popular belief, the capture of India was not accomplished by the British Army, but by the private armies of the East India Company, which grew in size to become larger than that of any European sovereign state. This is the history of its army, examining the many conflicts they fought, their equipment and training, with its regiments of horse, foot and guns, which rivalled those of most European powers. The development of their uniforms, which combined traditional Indian and British dress, is illustrated in detail in this colourful account of the private band of adventurers that successfully captured the jewel of the British Empire. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 454 - 1st printing. "The Seminole Wars 1818-58!" Written by Ron Field. Art by Richard Hook. The Seminole of Florida were one of five so-called ‘Civilized Tribes' who for many years lived in peace with the settlers. However, by 1815, frontier Americans had grown increasingly envious of their relative wealth and land, and resentful of their harbouring of former slaves. This book reveals the dramatic stories behind the ensuing Seminole wars, examining the dogged resistance displayed by the Seminole as they endured three drawn-out campaigns. Illustrated with careful reconstructions of the colourful and varied clothing and uniforms worn by both sides, the author discusses the organization and history of a tribe that refused to give in, until the sheer weight of the opposing forces ultimately led to their defeat. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 455 - 1st printing. "US Armed Forces in China 1856-1941!" Written by John Langellier. Art by Mike Chappell. This volume reveals the little-known story of the 90-year presence of American forces in China until the fall of Peking in 1941. Included is coverage of the first operations on the Pearl River in 1856 as well as US involvement in the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. As China entered a chaotic period in her history, known as the years of the "Warlords", American marines also participated in numerous small-scale amphibious landings. Finally, during the later Sino-Japanese War and early into World War II, US volunteers of the "Flying Tigers" became renowned for their combat missions in support of Chinese Nationalist forces, and their aerial duels are also recounted by the author John P. Langellier, who has spent several years researching the subject in the US and China. Discover the history of these various actions and the different services involved, recreated in color artwork and illustrated with rare, previously unpublished photographs. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 456 - 1st printing. "Mounted Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard!" Written by Ronald Pawly. Art by Patrice Courcelle. Mounted upon their huge black horses, the Mounted Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard were the senior heavy cavalry unit of the French army and were never defeated in battle. Their long list of battle honours earned them the nicknames ‘the Giants' and ‘the Gods'. In this latest addition to the Osprey mini-series on the Imperial Guard, author Ronald Pawly tells the story of this famous unit using unparalleled documentary and pictorial sources. Along with detailed artwork depicting the unit's colourful uniforms, this book gives a history of the unit's organization and record drawn from original letters, orders, and inspection reports that still survive in the Paris Archives. Interspersed are the stories of some of the individuals that served in the Mounted Grenadiers and helped to make it one of the most storied units to have served in Napoleon's army. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 457 - 1st printing. "Imperial Armies of the Thirty Years' War (1)!" Written by Vladimir Brnardic. Art by Darko Pavlovic. This history of the Catholic armies of the Hapsburg Empire that fought in the Thirty Years War explores the role of infantry and artillery during the last major religious war in mainland Europe. As the states of the Holy Roman Empire fractured along religious lines, all of Europe was plunged into a bloody conflict that lasted three decades, decimated populations, and annihilated communities. However, amidst this social, political, and religious catastrophe, important changes were experienced within the organization of armed forces. The war saw the end of the large mercenary forces and the beginnings of the well-disciplined national army. This book charts this progression, illustrating and explaining the forces of the key Catholic armies, while exploring the weapons, organization, tactics, and colourful uniforms used by the infantry and artillery. Softcover, PC/PB&W.