Osprey Men-at-Arms Series SC (1973-2011 OSPREY) comic books 1977

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Volume 55 - 2nd and later printings. "Napoleon's Dragoons and Lancers!" Written by Emir Bukhari. Art by Angus McBride. France was to call up a total of 1,600,000 men during the Napoleonic Wars, of whom a mere 600,000 were to survive. For those conscripted into service, one of the better fates would be recruitment as a cavalryman. Napoleon's dragoons were not just any band of individuals sorted and labelled cavalrymen; they were mounted infantrymen, trained to be adept with both musket and sabre, and proud of that distinction. Originally mounted for the sake of mobility but generally fighting on foot, they evolved into an army equally at home sabring at the charge as firing dismounted. Softcover, 50 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 61 - 1st printing. "The Portuguese Army of the Napoleonic Wars!" Written by Otto von Pivka. Art by Michael Roffe. In 1806, at the beginning of the Peninsular War, the Portuguese army was not at the peak of military efficiency. Nevertheless, under British tutelage it played an important part in the fight against Napoleon. Under Wellington's command, the Portuguese army distinguished itself in battles at Bussaco, Fuentes de Onoro and Albuera, and in 1813 helped the Allies win a decisive victory at Vittoria. Beginning with a chronology of Portugal's part in the Peninsular War, this book examines the uniforms, equipment and organization of the Portuguese army's various units. Detailed colour plates and numerous illustrations complement the text. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 62 - 1st printing. "The Boer War!" Written by Christopher Wilkinson-Latham. Art by Michael Roffe. This book examines the uniforms, equipment, history and organisation of the armies that fought in the Boer War. Both sides are covered, and the campaigns summarised. Uniforms are shown in full illustrated detail. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 63 - 1st printing. "The American Indian Wars 1860–90!" Written by Philip Katcher. Art by Gerry Embleton. The wars between whites and Indians, the most famous of which were fought on the great Western plains between 1860 and 1890, were among the most tragic of all conflicts ever fought. To the victor went no less than the complete domination of the continent, to the loser total extinction. Accustomed only to small scale skirmishing and raiding, the Indians were doomed from the start. They had never fought a European-style war with its constant pressure and co-ordinated strategies. Philip Katcher details the armies of both sides, paying particular attention to their organisation and uniforms. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 64 - 1st printing. "Napoleon's Cuirassiers and Carabiniers!" Written by Emir Bukhari. Art by Angus McBride. Owing to the heavy casualties suffered by the carabiniers in the 1809 campaign, the Emperor decreed that they should be armoured to the same advantage as the cuirassiers. In this way the two corps drew together in being the only troops of the Grande Armeé who were armoured, while at the same time they diverged in breaking away from their traditionally similar dress. Emir Bukhari does a splendid job of examining the uniforms and equipment of Napoleon's cuirassiers and carabiniers, in a text complemented throughout by numerous illustrations and diagrams including eight full page colour plates by the ever popular Angus McBride. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 65 - 1st printing. "The Royal Navy 1790–1970!" Written by Robert Wilkinson-Latham. Art by Gerry Embleton. Of all the world's seaborne military organizations, the British Royal Navy is perhaps the most prestigious. Protector of the British Empire and defender of British freedom, it has provided the template on which nearly all other national navies have modelled themselves. This book explores the changes in the uniforms of the Royal Navy from the 18th century to 1970. It includes details from the dress regulations as laid down in the first official illustrated text on the topic, which dated from 1825, up through the present day, and addresses all variations for climate, rank, and equipment requirements. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 66 - 1st printing. "Montgomery's Desert Army!" Written by John Wilkinson-Latham. Art by Gerry Embleton. Originally Churchill's second choice as a commander, Montgomery was to make the 8th Army his own. Indeed, his first task as the new commander-elect of was to restore the morale of the army. The desert army quicly assumed the character of their forthright and cocksure commander, and the troops confidently expected victory. This they achieved at the Battle of El Alamein and the order of battle for the British and Dominion forces is detailed in full. The difficulties of desert warfare and the type of equipment and uniforms are also discussed. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 67 - 1st printing. "The Indian Mutiny!" Written by Christopher Wilkinson-Latham. Art by Gerry Embleton. On the 24 April 1855, Colonel Carmichael Smyth held a parade of the ninety skirmishers of the 3rd Light Cavalry of the Bengal Army at Meerut, some 30 miles from Delhi. The disastrous events that followed sparked an almost wholesale mutiny of the Honourable East India Company's Bengal Native Army. Had the ensuing uprising succeeded, it would have threatened the validity of the entire British Empire. As it was the Mutiny witnessed several tragic and bloody events, from the original incident in Meerut to the horrifying siege of Cawnpore. Christopher Wilikinson-Latham details the history of the conflict, from its beginnings to ultimate resolution. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 68 - 1st printing. "Napoleon's Line Chasseurs!" Written by Emir Bukhari. Art by Angus McBride. The chasseurs, being the indigenous French light horse, can perhaps therefore be equated best with the infantry demi-brigades of this period, a half-trained, unprofessional, make-shift collection, making up with zeal what they lacked in experience, a qualification which in no way diminished the importance of their role within Napoleon's all-conquering army. Emir Bukhari's fine text examines the dress and equipment of Napoleon's line chasseurs, plus the histories of individual regiments in a volume containing a plethora of illustrations and diagrams including eight full page colour plates by popular artist Angus McBride, showing a variety of uniforms in admirable detail. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 69 - 1st printing. "The Greek and Persian Wars 500–323 BC!" Art by Jack Cassin-Scott. In the early 5th century BC, after the fall of the Lydian Empire, the Persian Wars began. It was an ideological conflict which pitted a proud, democratic, freedom-loving people against a tyrannical and mighty empire. The stories of the many battles fought between the Greeks and the Persians are here splendidly brought to life by Jack Cassin-Scott, who details the tactics, organisation and uniforms of the armies of both sides in a volume featuring numerous illustrations and museum photographs, plus eight full page colour plates superbly drawn by the author himself. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 71 - 1st printing. "The British Army 1965–80!" Written by David Smith. Art by Angus McBride. The uniform of the British Army underwent many changes between 1965 and 1980. This book catalogues these changes and outlines in detail the many regimental distinctions which exist throughout this old and prestigious army. Among the formations examined are the Household Division, the Royal Armoured Corps, the Scottish Division, the Queen's Division, the King's Division, the Prince of Wales's Division, the Light Division and the Brigade of Gurkhas. The text is backed by numerous photographs and eight colour plates vividly depicting the nuances of the army's combat and service dress. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 72 - 1st printing. "North-West Frontier 1837–1947!" Written by Robert Wilkinson-Latham. Art by Angus McBride. For over a hundred years British and Indian troops were engaged on the North-West Frontier of India policing the tribes, mounting expeditions, and guarding against the ever-present threat from Russia. Populated mainly by Pathans, one of the fiercest warrior races on earth, the Frontier came to be known as 'The Grim' by generations of British soldiers. This book details not only the three Afghan wars but also the issues surrounding Chitral, Malakand and Tirah. Colour illustrations and photographs offer a rare glimpse into life on the Frontier, illuminating Lord Curzon's remark, 'No man who has read a page of Indian history will ever prophesy about the frontier'. Softcover, PC/PB&W.