Osprey Warrior Series SC (1993-2011 OSPREY) comic books 2009

Volume 131- 1st printing. "Nelson's Officers and Midshipmen!" Written by Gregory Fremont-Barnes. Art by Steve Noon. Filled with the promise of adventure and glory, the Royal Navy of the Napoleonic era enticed hundreds of young men to enlist as officers in its bitter struggle against the French fleet. With some as young as nine, these boys were confronted with the harsh realities of warfare at sea: cramped conditions, ruthless storms and fierce combat. In spite of their youth, these sailors showed enormous courage and valour in the face of battle, their bravery immortalised in the literary works of Patrick O'Brian, C. S. Forester and Alexander Kent. Drawing from letters, poems and personal accounts, this book uncovers the remarkable story of those boys who fought aboard His Majesty's mighty ships-of-the-line to defend their kingdom against the French. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 134- 1st printing. "French Poilu 1914-18!" Written by Ian Sumner. Art by Giuseppe Rava. During World War One the French Army was in a state of disarray, plagued by indiscipline, mutinies and desertion. The ordinary French citizens that were called upon to defend their motherland - the Poilu - were disrespected and demoralized, and the infamous mutinies of 1917 by the Poilu were not protests against the war itself, but against how the war was conducted. Ian Sumner expertly charts the history of the Poilu, from the conscription of hundreds of thousands of men, through their training, to the horrors of the trenches and the fear of no man's land. Accompanied by new artwork and diagrams, this book provides a fascinating insight into the experiences of ordinary Frenchman called upon to defend their motherland. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 135- 1st printing. "North Vietnamese Army Soldier 1958-75!" Written by Gordon L Rottman. Art by Brian Delf. Commonly mistaken for the locally raised Viet Cong, the NVA was an entirely different force, conducting large-scale operations in a conventional war. Despite limited armour, artillery and air support, the NVA were an extremely politicized and professional force with strict control measures and leadership concepts. Gordon Rottman follows the fascinating life of the highly motivated infantryman from conscription and induction through training to real combat experiences. Covering the evolution of the forces from 1958 onwards, this book takes an in-depth look at the civilian and military lives of the soldiers, whilst accompanying artwork details the uniforms, weapons and equipment used by the NVA in their clash against America and her allies. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 136- 1st printing. "Chindit 1942-45!" Written by Tim Moreman. Art by Peter Dennis. The Chindits were a specially organised, equipped and trained body of men employing innovative fighting methods based on ideas originally developed by Major-General Orde Wingate. Raised to fight deep behind Japanese lines in the Burmese Jungle in World War II, their contribution to the Allied cause remains controversial to this day. Accompanied by full-colour illustrations this book describes the origins of this elite formation, detailing their recruitment, training and specialist fighting methods, and reveals the distinctive dress, equipment and weapons used, as well as the immense hardships suffered by the officers and men involved. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

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Volume 137- 1st printing. "Royal Marine Commando 1950-82!" Written by Will Fowler. Art by Raffaele Ruggeri. One of the most prestigious and versatile units of the British armed forces, the Royal Marine Commandos served in many theatres worldwide, performing a number of conventional and specialised roles. During the period covered in this account, conscription to the Royal Marines came to an end and the unit became a professional and dedicated force, with a tough recruitment programme and a focus on teamwork. This book provides a detailed look at the service life of a Royal Marine Commando in a time of great change, exploring the developments that took place in recruitment, training, equipment, weaponry, dress and tactical deployment in the post-World War II period. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 138- 1st printing. "Roosevelt's Rough Riders!" Written by Alejandro de Quesada. Art by Stephen Walsh. This book examines the brief but colorful history of the 1st US Volunteer Cavalry, and details the rich experiences of the men who fought in its ranks. Founded in May 1898 after the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, the unit was composed of volunteers from all walks of American life. Posted to Cuba, it fought in the battles of Las Guasimas, Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill. At this time, Theodore Roosevelt assumed command, and the unit became known as 'Roosevelt's Rough Riders'. Eventually withdrawn, the men returned to a hero's welcome in the US. The last veteran of the unit died in 1975, but a rich body of source material has survived, and much of this is covered in this fascinating work. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 139- 1st printing. "Byzantine Cavalryman c.900-1204!" Written by Timothy Dawson. Art by Giuseppe Rava. Regarded as the elite arm of the military during the Middle Byzantine period, the cavalry executed high speed reconnaissance, agile arrow barrages and crippling blows to enemy formations. Its ranks were filled primarily through direct recruitment or hereditary service by holders of military lands, but in times of crisis irregulars would be temporarily enlisted. Few books provide any accessible study of the medieval Romaic soldier's life, and this colourful addition to the Warrior series seeks to redress this imbalance. Offering a thorough and detailed examination of their training, weaponry, dress and daily life, this book re-affirms the importance of cavalry troops in military victories of the period. Making use of original Greek source material, and featuring unpublished manuscript images, this follow-on volume to Warrior 118 Byzantine Infantryman c.900-1204 brings the world of the Byzantine cavalryman vividly to life. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 140- 1st printing. "US Mechanized Infantryman in the First Gulf War!" Written by Gordon L Rottman. Art by Adam Hook. In many ways the end of the Vietnam War left the US army a spent force. Plagued by low morale, drug and race issues, and terrible public relations, the army faced an uphill climb in the effort to rebuild itself. The story of this reconstruction is mirrored in the rise of the Mechanized Infantryman. Deciding that the key to future conflict lay in highly trained and mobile warriors that could be delivered quickly to battle, the army adopted the mechanized infantryman as its frontline troops. This new, all volunteer force was given the best training and equipment. Most notably, they were to be deployed onto the battlefield from the new M2 Bradley Armoured Fighting Vehicle. This new breed of American warriors got their first test in the First Gulf War. Fighting in the deserts of Kuwait and Iraq, these soldiers proved that the US Army was once again a force with which to be reckoned. This book tells the story of the rise of the US mechanised infantryman, focusing on his recruitment, training, lifestyle and combat experiences in Iraq. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 141- 1st printing. "Merrill's Marauders!" Written by Edward Young. Art by Adam Hook. Merrill's Marauders were the first American Army infantry unit to fight in the China-Burma-India theatre, and one of the most renowned units to come out of World War II. The Marauders established a lasting reputation for hard fighting and tenacity in the face of adversity, combating a determined enemy, some of the most difficult and disease-ridden terrain in the world, and a seemingly indifferent higher command. Pushed beyond the limit of their endurance, at the end of nearly six months of operations behind Japanese lines, the remaining Marauders were withdrawn from combat after suffering over 90% casualties. Because of its courageous actions, the unit received the very rare honour of having every member presented with a Bronze Star for gallantry. This book explores the creation, training and combat experiences of the Marauders, one of the most famous units in the US Army's roll of honour. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 142- 1st printing. "Blue Division Soldier 1941-45!" Written by Carlos Caballero Jurado. Art by Ramiro Bujeiro. The all-volunteer 'Blue Division' was a formation that allowed Franco's technically neutral Spain to support Nazi Germany's invasion of Russia. Following initial training in Germany, the Blue Division's units were sent to the Eastern Front in August 1941, where, after a 40-day march to the front, the Division fought in several major actions including Leningrad. In 1943, with the tide turning against the Axis forces in Russia, the Division was ordered to be withdrawn, yet many men chose to stay on and serve with the Volunteer Legion. Even after the collapse in the East, some volunteered to serve with Waffen-SS units through to the fall of Berlin in 1945. This book narrates the experiences of the common soldier, exploring his motivation for serving the Wehrmacht, and detailing his dramatic experiences in a brutal and hostile theatre of World War II. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $18.95.