Osprey Fortress Series SC (2003) comic books 2007

Add to cart Near Mint $7.00

Add to cart Near Mint $7.00

Volume 57 - 1st printing. "The Great Wall of China 221 BC-AD 1644!" Written by Stephen Turnbull. Art by Steve Noon. The most famous example of fortification in the world, the Great Wall of China stretches for more than 6,000km across inhospitable terrain. Charting its development from its earliest origins in the 7th century BC through to the present day, this account reveals the true history of the wall, and explores the myths that surround it. Included are details of what it was like to live within the wall, how it was garrisoned and patrolled, and a discussion of how effective it was against attack. Through extensive examination of both ancient and modern sources, colour maps, artwork and photographs, this book illustrates why the wall is one of the great wonders of the world. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $18.95.

Volume 58 - 1st printing. "Vietnam Fire Bases 1965-73!" Written by Randy E M Foster. Art by Peter Dennis. Artillery fire support bases of the Freeworld forces played a critical role in the conduct of operations during the Vietnam War. They served to lay down high-volume fire on enemy firing sites, supported friendly infantry operations, and executed harassing fire missions where exact targets were not known. But the firebases themselves - which housed a range of other facilities such as troop shelters, surveillance radars and command centers - had to be defended against ground attack, and as a result became significant fortifications in their own right. This book describes the design, development and operational history of the fire support bases throughout the conflict Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $18.95.

Volume 59 - 1st printing. "Crusader Castles in Cyprus, Greece, and the Aegean 1191-1571!" Written by David Nicollle. Art by Adam Hook. The castles built by the Crusaders, Hospitallers, Venetians and Genoese in Cyprus, Greece, the Aegean, and on the Black Sea served to defend against a complex array of constantly changing threats: Mamluks, Catalan mercenaries, Ottoman Turks, Byzantines, independent Islamic states, Timur-i-Lenk, and widespread piracy, to name but few. The resulting fortifications - some inherited from conquered the territories of the former Byzantine empire, some built from scratch - were very different to those found in the Middle East. This superbly illustrated book explores their design, development and fate in detail, documenting the rich architectural heritage of this region and its complex history. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $7.00

Volume 60 - 1st printing. "The Forts of the Meuse in World War I!" Written by Clayton Donnell. Art by Hugh Johnson, Lee Ray. and Brian Delf. On 29 October 1891, the new forts built around the cities of Liège and Namur, known as the 'forts of the Meuse', were turned over to the Belgian Army. This huge project produced 21 modern forts to defend the strategic rail, river and road arteries in the Oise and Condroz gaps. In August 1914, the German Army attempted a quick crossing of this area in order to reach France, but it took them 12 crucial days to destroy the fortresses. Containing maps, diagrams and photographs taken from private collections, this book explores the design, development and influence of the forts of the Meuse, highlighting the importance of their role during the opening battle of World War I.Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $7.00

Volume 61 - 1st printing. "Medieval Russian Fortresses AD 862-1480!" Written by Konstantin S. Nossov. Art by Peter Dennis. According to Russian legend, in the year AD 862 the Slav tribes of what is now European Russia invited a number of Scandinavian princes to rule over them. However, on the death of these princes, Prince Oleg seized Kiev and united the Northern and Southern Russian territories, building extensive fortifications to protect its borders. The rise of feudalism in the 11th century lead to the development of individual fortified sites and the extended border defenses fell into disrepair. Consequently, Mongol hordes poured over the border introducing the siege warfare techniques of the East, heavily influencing the fortification styles thereafter.Using a wealth of archeological evidence and first-hand sources, Konstantin Nossov charts the history of the medieval Russian fortress from its early beginnings until the 14th century, paying special attention to the development of one of the most iconic fortifications in the world: the Kremlin. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $7.00

Volume 62 - 1st printing. "Soviet Field Fortifications 1941-45!" Written by Gordon L. Rottman. Art by Chris Taylor and Brian Delf. From June 1941, the Soviets were forced to undertake large-scale defensive operations in the face of the overwhelming German blitzkrieg assault, operations which ran counter to their preference for highly mobile, offensive warfare. Lessons were quickly learned across a wide variety of terrain and climates, including the open steppes, dense forests, wooded swamps, cities, and in snow and ice, where the availability of construction materials differed greatly. The first to cover this topic in the English language and containing detailed information about the trenches, bunkers, observation posts and weapon positions, this book examines field fortifications built from local materials by infantrymen, as well as their use of mines, field camouflage techniques, and construction tools. It provides a first fascinating insight into Russian defensive attempts against the overwhelming might of the German Army. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Very Fine $5.00

Add to cart Very Fine $5.00

Volume 63 - 1st printing. "The Atlantic Wall Part 1!" Written by Steven J. Zaloga. Art by Hugh Johnson, Lee Ray, and Chris Taylor. Germany's Atlantic Wall was the most ambitious military fortification program of World War II. With Germany's gradual loss of the strategic initiative to the Allies, in 1942 Hitler was forced to construct an impenetrable wall of fortifications along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coast. This book deals solely with the structures on the French coast, starting with the Pas-de-Calais and extending down to Spain. It features detailed illustrations and diagrams of the various sections of the Atlantic Wall and the role that they played, giving a thoughtful analysis of some of the most accessible fortifications of World War II. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $18.95.

Volume 64 - 1st printing. "The Castles of Edward I in Wales 1277–1307!" Written by Christopher Gravett. Art by Adam Hook. In 1277 Edward I gathered a huge army and marched into Wales to subdue the rebel Welsh princes. A key part of his strategy was to erect a castle wherever his army rested. This title takes a detailed look at the design, development and principles of defence of these Welsh castles, documenting daily life within their walls and the historical events that took place around them. Focusing on key sites, it highlights the varied castle designs ranging from fortifications based on French models to the defences inspired by Constantinople, and is illustrated with eight pages of full-colour illustrations and cutaway artwork. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $18.95.

Volume 67 - 1st printing. "Japanese Castles in Korea 1592-98!" Written by Stephen Turnbull. Art by Peter Dennis. The Japanese invasion and occupation of Korea, which lasted from 1592 to 1598, was the only occasion in Japanese history when samurai aggression was turned against a foreign country. During the occupation of Korea the Japanese built 25 wajo or castles. Unlike the castles built in Japan, these fortifications were never developed or modernized after the Japanese departure. The details of late 16th-century castle construction are therefore better preserved than at many other sites. Written by Stephen Turnbull, an expert in the subject, this book examines the castles built by the Japanese in Korea, as well as the use made of existing Korean fortifications, particularly city walls. This resulted in curious hybrid fortifications that dominated the landscape until the Japanese were pushed out of the peninsula by a furious onslaught from huge Chinese armies. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $16.95.

Volume 68 - 1st printing. "American Civil War Fortifications Part 3!" Written by Ron Field. Art by Adam Hook. The Mississippi River played a decisive role in the American Civil War. The Confederate fortifications that controlled the lower Mississippi valley were put to the test in the lengthy Federal campaign of 1862-63. Vicksburg was a fortress city, known as the 'Gibraltar of the Confederacy', whose capture was seen as the key to victory in the war. This book explores the fortifications of the river valley, focusing on Vicksburg and its defences which boasted a network of forts, rifle pits and cannon embrasures surrounding the city, a well as examining the strengths and weaknesses of the fortifications when under siege. Also examined are numerous other fortified strongholds, including New Orleans, Port Hudson, New Madrid, and forts Henry and Donelson, all lavishly illustrated with full-colour artwork and cutaways. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $16.95.