Osprey Men-at-Arms Series SC (1973-2011 OSPREY) comic books 1988

Add to cart Near Mint $8.00

Volume 80 - 2nd and later printings. "The German Army 1914–18!" Written by Robert Marrion and Donald Fosten. Art by Gerry Embleton. The Imperial German Army began the Great War as the most professionally impressive conscript force in the world. This fascinating book by Donald Fosten and Robert Marrion explores in great detail the organisation, tactics, weapons, uniforms, equipment and origins of this army that fought in World War I from its start in 1914 to their ultimate defeat in 1918. Numerous contemporary photographs serve to illustrate this engaging and informative text which covers such wide-ranging topics as conscription, artillery and the army veterinary service. Eight full page colour plates by military artist Gerry Embleton, together with extensive commentaries provide a wealth of information concerning the uniforms and equipment of troops from a variety of services. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Add to cart Near Mint $8.00

Add to cart Near Mint $8.00

Volume 81 - 2nd and later printings. "The British Army 1914–18!" Written by Robert Marrion and Donald Fosten. Art by Gerry Embleton. Between 1869 and 1874, Edward Cardwell, Gladstone's Secretary for War, undertook major reforms to modernise the British Army. The Crimean War, and campaigns in India, had revealed serious administrative and command shortcomings. Cardwell's legislation was aimed at curing these faults and served as the foundation of a new-style army. His successors put into practice further improvements in tactics, training and command structure and by the outbreak of war in 1914, the British Army had developed into one of the best professional fighting forces in Europe. This book details the development, composition and uniforms of this 'new' army. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 166 - 2nd and later printings. "German Medieval Armies 1300–1500!" Written by Christopher Gravett. Art by Angus McBride. The German rulers were forceful and powerful men, and, surrounded by potential enemies, circumstances dictated the necessity of rule by strength based on military capacity. In the later 15th century, three houses rose above the others; the families of Wittelsbach, Luxemburg and the powerful Austrian Hapsburgs. The struggles of these and other houses, and of the knights and towns, were to be a feature of German history throughout the Middle Ages. This title details the dress, weapons, heraldry and insignia of these prolific forces. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 188 - 1st printing. "Polish Armies 1569–1696 (2)!" Written by Richard Brzezinski. Art by Angus McBride. The 17th century Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was almost as varied as modern America. Alongside Slavs lived Lithuanians and other Balts, Germans, Tatars, Armenian merchants, Jewish traders, and even a remarkably large populations of Scots. This variety of cultures had a strong influence on the Polish army. Along with the predominantly Polish and Lithuanian 'winged' hussars served numerous foreigners from both within and outside the Commonwealth: Tatars and Cossacks, Wallachians, Transylvanians, Moldavians, Hungarians, Serbians and Albanians; and from the West, French, Italians, Dutch, Walloons, Swedes and Scots. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 194 - 1st printing. "Arab Armies of the Middle East Wars (2)!" Written by Sam Katz. Art by Ronald Volstad. The Six-Day War drastically altered the political and military complexion of the Middle East: three Arab armies lay in ruin, while Israel achieved regional superpower status. The Arab response to defeat was a thirst for revenge, and the process of regrouping to launch the 1973 war was the nearest the Arab world would come to true unity. This book examines the post-1973 development of the armies of Egypt, Jordan and Syria, as well as the Palestinian guerrilla and terrorist groups. Backed by photographs and colour illustrations, this book also details the special military and political roles of the armies' elite units. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 195 - 1st printing. "Hungary and the fall of Eastern Europe 1000–1568!" Written by David Nicolle. Art by Angus McBride. Although not widely studied in the West, the medieval history of south-eastern Europe is both fascinating and complex. The Kingdom of Hungary was a vast realm, at least the size of France, that endured throughout the Middle Ages whilst the Byzantine Empire was even more extensive and enduring. The Serbians won themselves a brief but extensive local empire in the 14th century; while the Bulgarians established an effective and cultured state. Other players in the confusing Balkan scene included the Albanians; Wallachians; Moldavians; Transylvanians; Croatians and many others. How did they organise their armies and fight their wars; and why did they ultimately fail? This title answers these questions ably supported by numerous illustrations and eight colour plates. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 197 - 1st printing. "The Royal Canadian Mounted Police 1873–1987!" Written by David Ross. Art by Richard Hook. In 1870, after completing a 1000-mile trek across Canada, Lt. W.F. Butler, an officer of the British Army, recommended the establishment of a 'well-equipped force from 100 to 150 men, one-third to be mounted' for the purpose of policing the North West; three years later, the North West Mounted Police was established. By the late 1980s, this force, now the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), had grown to include 18,000 members, with a budget of more than $1 billion. This book outlines the origins and evolution of the RCMP, detailing its formation, tasks, uniforms and insignia. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 198 - 1st printing. "The British Army on Campaign (3)!" Written by Michael Barthorp. Art by Pierre Turner. In the period of reform following the Crimean War, the British Army's main role reverted to the security and consolidation of the Empire and its trade, resulting in campaigns large and small all over the world. From the Indian Mutiny of 1857-59, to campaigns in the North-West Frontier, Canada, New Zealand and the Transvaal, the British Army fought to protect its Empire and thwart the expansion of encroaching nations. This book, the third in a series of four, outlines these campaigns and details the fighting methods, uniforms, equipment and weapons of the British Army. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 199 - 1st printing. "Napoleon's Specialist Troops!" Written by Philip Haythornthwaite. Art by Bryan Fosten. Though less celebrated than the infantry and cavalry, Napoleon's 'specialist' troops – artillery, engineers and supporting services – were indispensable elements without which no army could have operated, and frequently assumed greater significance than the line regiments. Indeed, having suffered least from the emigration of Royalist officers, the artillery was the best element of the early Republican armies, the nucleus of the old Royal artillery serving with distinction in the early campaigns such as Valmy. The organisation and uniform of Napoleon's specialist troops are here examined by Philip Haythornwaite in a engaging volume complemented by a wealth of illustrations including eight full page colour plates by Bryan Fosten. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 200 - 1st printing. "El Cid and the Reconquista 1050–1492!" Written by David Nicolle. Art by Angus McBride. The very name El Cid sums up much of the special character of medieval Spanish warfare. It comes from the Arabic al sayyid, master or chieftain, and seems to have been given to Rodrigo de Vivar by his Muslim foes. But was it given in recognition of El Cid's victories against Islam in the 'Reconquista' – or because this Castilian nobleman was as content to serve beside the Muslims as to fight them? The story of the Christian conquest of the Iberian peninsula which gave rise to the legend of El Cid, is here examined by David Nicolle, who outlines the history, tactics, arms and armour of the period. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 201 - 1st printing. "The British Army on Campaign (4)!" Written by Michael Barthorp. Art by Pierre Turner. The Army of 1882 had just emerged from the many modernizing reforms effected between 1856-81. These included: opening of schools of instruction; abolition of the purchase of commissions; improvements in pay, living conditions and disciplinary measures and new weapons and tactics. By these later years of the 19th century the British Army had become the policeman of a vast global Empire. This volume in the acclaimed British Army on Campaign mini-series details the uniforms, organisation and equipment used in a succession of campaigns across the face of the globe. Michael Barthorp's splendid text is accompanied by numerous illustrations including eight colour plates by Pierre Turner. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 202 - 1st printing. "Modern African Wars (2)!" Written by Peter Abbott. Art by Ronald Volstad. Portugal was both the first and the last of the great European colonial powers. For 500 years Portugal had colonies in Africa. In 1960, as liberation movements swept across colonial Africa, the Portuguese flag still flew over vast expanses of territory across the continent. The spread of decolonization and the establishment of independent states whose governments were sympathetic to the cause of African nationalism led, in the early 1960s, to a series of wars in Angola, Guiné and Mozambique. This book details each of these liberation movements, focusing on the equipment, uniforms and organization of the Portuguese forces. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 203 - 1st printing. "Louis XIV's Army!" Written by René Chartrand. Art by Francis Back. Louis XIV's army was in many ways the first modern army. After assuming power in 1661, Louis abolished the post of Colonel Général of Infantry so he could exercise direct control over the armed forces in his realm. The king demanded order, discipline and absolute loyalty from his army, and he introduced a military draft in 1688 - the first step towards what we know as conscription in modern armies. This book chronicles the development of Louis XIV's army during his 54-year reign, including the units, uniforms and weapons of the elite Maison du Roi. Numerous illustrations portray the uniforms, colours and standards of his troops in vivid detail. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 204 - 1st printing. "Wellington's Specialist Troops!" Written by Philip Haythornthwaite. Art by Bryan Fosten. The specialist troops of Wellington's army played a crucial role in the success of the British Army. Though often understaffed and ineptly managed, the artillery, engineers, transport and commissariat, and medical services contributed to Wellington's ultimate victory in 1815. The Royal Artillery and Corps of Royal Engineers comprised a small number of highly trained officers, while the commissariat was composed of untrained civilians outside military discipline, and the medical services suffered from a shortage of trained surgeons. This richly illustrated book examines the organization, uniforms and equipment of each of these specialist departments. Softcover, PC/PB&W.