Osprey Men-at-Arms Series SC (1973-2011 OSPREY) comic books 1986

Volume 170 - 1st printing. "American Civil War Armies (1)!" Written by Philip Katcher. Art by Ronald Volstad. When the Southern states seceded to form their own government in 1861, one of their first moves was to organise an army. The South's fighting men served from the time of their enlistment until the end of the war, receiving poor rations, and even worse clothing – and this despite the fact that one of the first steps taken by the new army was to design a uniform and establish standards for accoutrements and weapons. In this first of five volumes examining American Civil War armies, Philip Katcher profiles the uniforms issued by the national Confederate government to its artillery, cavalry and infantry troops. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 173 - 1st printing. "The Alamo and the War of Texan Independence 1835–36!" Written by Philip Haythornthwaite. Art by Paul Hannon. In 1823 Texas was opened to American settlement; over the next 12 years thousands took advantage of the opportunity. During this time the corrupt Santa Anna rose to power. A dishonest and ruthless politician, thief, compulsive gambler, opium addict and liar, he nevetheless gained a measure of popular support and set about destroying federalism. Conflict with the American settlers ('Texians') became inevitable, a conflict which included the legendary Battle of the Alamo. Philip Haythornwaite covers the story of the War of Texan Independence in a volume backed by a wealth of illustrations and photographs, including eight full page colour plates by Paul Hannon. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 174 - 1st printing. "The Korean War 1950–53!" Written by Nigel Thomas & Peter Abbott. Art by Mike Chappell. At 4am on Sunday 25 June 1950 powerful North Korean forces invaded South Korea, advancing down the Uijongbu Corridor towards the Southern Capital of Seoul. South Korean troops resisted bravely, but were crushed by overwhelming Northern superiority. Later that day the United Nations Security Council condemned the aggression, and on 7 July appointed US General of the Army Douglas MacArthur to command UN forces which would be sent to save South Korea. Nigel Thomas and Peter Abbott explore the history of this conflict, which pitted UN forces against the People's Republic of China in a resulting in hundreds of thousands of casualties. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 175 - 1st printing. "Rome's Enemies (3)!" Written by Peter Wilcox. Art by Angus McBride. The Parthians were a warrior people. Though possessing no regular army they were superb horsemen and archers, and in time of war the nobility provided heavily armoured knights mounted on weight-carrying chargers. At Carrhae, it is believed that 20,000 Roman troops out of a force of about 36,000 died at the hands of the Parthians. In the third of four volumes covering Rome's enemies, this fascinating text by Peter Wilcox examines the armies and campaigns of the Parthians and Sassanid Persians. This worthy addition to Osprey's Men-at-Arms series contains a wealth of illustrations, including eight full page colour plates by popular artist Angus McBride. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 176 - 1st printing. "Austrian Army of the Napoleonic Wars (1)!" Written by Philip Haythornthwaite. Art by Bryan Fosten. The most implacable of Napoleon's continental enemies, at the outbreak of war Austria maintained a vast army, but one rooted firmly in the 18th century. Hampered by the inherent conservatism of the hierarchy, the Austrians had to fight the most modern army in Europe. Despite this the regulars, who were drawn from many territories under Austrian sway, performed with great discipline, resolution and stoicism. This title examines in detail the organisation, uniforms, deployment and development of the Austrian infantry during the Napoleonic Wars, covering Line infantry, Light infantry, Grenz-Infanterie, Landwehr militia, and Frei-Corps units. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 177 - 1st printing. "American Civil War Armies (2)!" Written by Philip Katcher. Art by Ronald Volstad. The US Army during the Civil War was the largest the country had raised in its brief history; and it would remain the largest ever raised until World War I. In all, 2,772,408 men served in some branch or other of the US Army. This detailed work by Philip Katcher is a comprehensive guide to the uniforms, accoutrements, insignia and weapons of the Union Troops who fought the American Civil War, with a wealth of illustrations, including contemporary photographs and eight full page colour plates by Ron Volstad. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 178 - 1st printing. "Russia's War in Afghanistan!" Written by David Isby. Art by Ronald Volstad. This book examines Soviet forces in Afghanistan. The origins and conduct of the war and the operational organisation of Soviet forces are discussed. Afghan resistance and weaponry is also examined. A comprehensive study of both sides in the Afghan war. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 180 - 1st printing. "Rome's Enemies (4)!" Written by Rafael Treviño Martinez. Art by Angus McBride. The Republican Roman army suffered heavy losses as a result of the ‘hit and run' tactics employed by the Hispanics in Ancient Spain. After preparatory chanting, the Celt-Iberians would attack en masse and in apparent disorder. At a pre-arranged signal the warriors would retreat as if defeated. This sequence might be repeated over several days, until finally the Romans lost their discipline and broke formation in pursuit. At this point the Hispanics would quickly mount a counter-attack that would decimate the legions. This volume explores the organisation, tactics, history, arms and armour of Rome's Spanish enemies. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 181 - 1st printing. "Austrian Army of the Napoleonic Wars (2)!" Written by Philip Haythornthwaite. Art by Bryan Fosten. The mounted troops of the Hapsburg Empire comprised one of the most powerful forces of the Napoleonic Wars. However, from the outset the cavalry's higher command was less capable than its infantry counterpart: appointments were influenced by nepotism and politics, which resulted in commands often being given to those who lacked experience. The cavalry underwent many re-organisations and expansions in the course of the wars that attempted to redress these matters, and to modernise the force as a whole. This title examines these processes and documents in detail the tactics, uniforms and equipment of the Austrian cavalry, covering Cuirassiers, Dragoons, Chevauxlegers, Hussars, Uhlan (lancer) and auxiliary units. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 182 - 1st printing. "British Battle Insignia (1)!" Written by Mike Chappell. Art by Mike Chappell. The British soldiers who marched off to war in 1914 wore only regimental insignia, yet by the time of the armistice in November 1918, insignia in the British Army had undergone a considerable change. Now visible was a bewildering display of coloured devices on uniforms, helmets, vehicles, guns, signboards and flags. Regimental badges remained but were joined by divisional insignia. These were rarely seen in the front line. Instead the 'battle patch' had appeared for combat use. In this beautifully illustrated book Mike Chappell looks at the colourful variety of insignia used by the British Army during the Great War. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 183 - 1st printing. "Modern African Wars (1)!" Written by Philip Botham & Peter Abbott. Art by Mike Chappell. The Rhodesian War of 1965–80 is the battle for control of present day Zimbabwe. The former British colony of Southern Rhodesia rejected British moves towards majority rule and on 11 November 1965 the Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith announced his country's Unilateral Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. That act sparked a series of violent encounters between the traditional colonial army and the African guerilla insurgents of the Patriotic Front. This book examines the successes and failures of the counter-insurgency campaign of Smith's security forces and the eventual bloody birth of a modern African nation. Softcover, PC/PB&W.