Osprey Men-at-Arms Series SC (1973-2011 OSPREY) comic books 1991

Volume 231 - 1st printing. "French Medieval Armies 1000–1300!" Written by David Nicolle. Art by Angus McBride. By the 11th century the French King had lost control of border regions, while local warfare had grown alarmingly frequent. In fact the energies of the French military élite were now focused on petty internal squabbles and external adventures like the Norman conquest of England. Nevertheless, the population and economy both expanded, although it was not until the 12th century that the crown rebuilt its power-base. Despite its slow start when compared with neighbours like England, the Kingdom of France had, by the 13th century, risen to become the most powerful state in Western Europe. This title describes the organisation, history and tactics of French medieval armies. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 232 - 1st printing. "The Armies of Bolivar and San Martin!" Written by Terry Hooker. Art by Ron Poulter. Spanish Americans of the early 19th century were eager to institute self-government and open their ports to foreign commerce. During the years 1810-14 two men of outstanding ability appeared in the front ranks of the Republican cause: Simon Bolivar, the greatest of all South American soldiers, and José de San Martin. These two men would achieve the destruction of the southern Spanish American empire as they fought to establish nations shaped and governed 'by Americans, for Americans'. This book details their military campaigns to free South America from the grip of Imperial Spain, including descriptions of their equipment, uniforms, weaponry and enemies. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 233 - 1st printing. "French Army 1870–71 Franco-Prussian War (1)!" Written by Stephen Shann & Louis Delperier. Art by Jeffrey Burn. At the time of the Second Empire, under Napoleon III, the French army, elevated from tactful obscurity, was re-modelled on Napoleonic lines. This army first fought in the Crimea, and then against Austria. Later, In Mexico, they had a disastrous adventure while in Europe Prussia was fast emerging as a challenge to France's military pre-eminence. Together with Austria, Bismarck first crushed Denmark before turning on Austria herself. The victory at Sadowa in 1866 stunned Europe, and in Paris Napoleon and his advisers set to thinking of a way to counter this new threat. In this first of two volumes looking at the French Army of the Franco-Prussian War, Stephen Shann and Louis Delperier examine the history, organisation and weapons of the French Imperial troops. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 234 - 1st printing. "German Combat Equipments 1939–45!" Written by Gordon L Rottman. Art by Ronald Volstad. The field equipment of the German Army in World War II was closely related to that used throughout World War I and earlier, yet it was of relatively light weight, ruggedly constructed, well designed, functional, and generally of a high quality, though this deteriorated in the later war years. A high degree of design standardisation was maintained in most categories of equipment, though materials and their colours often varied widely. There were also many different specialisations for the various arms of service as well as theatres of combat, such as the Afrikakorps in the Western Desert. This title investigates all manner of German combat equipments throughout World War II, from belt buckles to magazine pouches. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 235 - 1st printing. "The Army of Gustavus Adolphus (1)!" Written by Richard Brzezinski. Art by Richard Hook. The 'Lion of the North', King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, was one of the major players in the Thirty Years War of 1618-48. In 1630 Gustavus - the last champion of the Protestants - crushed the Catholics at Breitenfeld in a victory widely viewed as the fulfillment of a prophecy foretelling the defeat of the eagle (the German Emperor's emblem) by a golden lion. Killed in battle at Lützen only two years later, Gustavus nevertheless won fame for his technical and tactical innovations. The first of two volumes, this book examines the equipment, uniforms and organization of the infantry that comprised Gustavus's army. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 236 - 1st printing. "Frederick the Great's Army (1)!" Written by Philip Haythornthwaite. Art by Bryan Fosten. The Prussian army of King Frederick II, 'the Great', became so renowned as a result of its campaigns, principally during the Seven Years' War, that it was regarded as a model for many of the other armies of Europe. In this first of two volumes exploring Frederick the Great's splendid army, Philip Haythornwaite examines the organisatin, tactics and uniform of his cavalry troops, in a text backed by numerous illustrations including eight full page colour plates by Bryan Fosten. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 237 - 1st printing. "French Army 1870–71 Franco-Prussian War (2)!" Written by Stephen Shann & Louis Delperier. Art by Richard Hook. The capitulation of Napoleon and his army at Sedan in September 1870 shook Paris to its foundations. The Second Empire was swept from power, and a Government of National Defence hastily put in its place. To replace the weakened professional army the French called for a 'war of the people'. A companion volume to Men-at-Arms 233: The French Army 1870-71 Franco-Prussian War (1) Imperial Troops, this book covers the forces that participated in the second half of the campaign, including the regular army, l' Armeé d' Afrique, la Garde Mobile, la Garde Nationale and the naval forces. The text is accompanied by contemporary photographs and detailed colour plates. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 238 - 1st printing. "Foreign Volunteers of the Allied Forces 1939–45!" Written by Nigel Thomas. Art by Simon McCouaig. In a period of just over two years, from 15 March 1939 to 30 April 1941, ten countries were defeated in campaigns in which Nazi Germany deployed revolutionary techniques of mobile warfare. The breakneck speed of German victories allowed some defeated troops to escape to friendly countries, where their political leaders established governments-in-exile and formed them into military units to continue the struggle. The hard-pressed Western Allies welcomed this well-motivated manpower with open arms. Nigel Thomas investigates the foreign volunteers of the Western Allies in a fascinating text backed by contemporary photographs and eight full page colour plates by Simon McCouaig. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 239 - 1st printing. "Aztec, Mixtec and Zapotec Armies!" Written by John Pohl. Art by Angus McBride. Around AD 1450 a new Mexican nation emerged called the Aztec Empire of the Triple Alliance. They succeeded in making themselves the most powerful and feared civilisation in the Americas. The Mixtec and Zapotec peoples were contemporaries of the Aztec nations, and both formed alliances and fought many wars against them. With Angus McBride's usual quality artwork on eight full page colour plates, plus plenty of other illustrations from various sources, this work by John Pohl investigates the history, uniforms and weaponry of Aztec, Mixtec and Zapotec armies. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 240 - 1st printing. "Frederick the Great's Army (2)!" Written by Philip Haythornthwaite. Art by Bryan Fosten. Throughout the wars undertaken by Frederick the Great, probably his greatest resource was his infantry. It is a mark of the king's determination that despite wars which almost destroyed both Prussia and its army (such as the Seven Years' War), he was able to maintain its numbers – even if the quality declined as the attritional campaigns took their toll. Philip Haythornthwaite examines the uniforms, tactics and organisation of Frederick's infantry in detail – a fighting force that contested battles such as Mollwitz, Hohenfriedberg, Kesselsdorf, Liegnitz, Burkersdorf and the siege of Prague. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 241 - 1st printing. "The Russian Army of the Crimean War 1854–56!" Written by Robert Thomas. Art by Richard Scollins. 'We must all fight for Holy Russia!' declared the Russian officers at the outbreak of the Crimean War. Despite the immensity of the Russian forces that fought in this conflict, however, their dispersion over vast distances, along with poor roads and contrary weather, contributed to their defeat. Still, many regiments won much-deserved battle honours; from the navy emerged a number of heroes, including Admirals Kornilov, Nakhimov and Istomin. This book details the forces that served the Tsar in the defence of the Crimea, with chapters on Army organization, the Army of the Caucasus, the Imperial Navy, army life, tactics and Russian heroes. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 241 - 2nd and later printings. "The Russian Army of the Crimean War 1854-56!" Written by Robert Thomas. Art by Richard Scollins. 'We must all fight for Holy Russia!' declared the Russian officers at the outbreak of the Crimean War. Despite the immensity of the Russian forces that fought in this conflict, however, their dispersion over vast distances, along with poor roads and contrary weather, contributed to their defeat. Still, many regiments won much-deserved battle honours; from the navy emerged a number of heroes, including Admirals Kornilov, Nakhimov and Istomin. This book details the forces that served the Tsar in the defence of the Crimea, with chapters on Army organization, the Army of the Caucasus, the Imperial Navy, army life, tactics and Russian heroes. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 242 - 1st printing. "Modern African Wars (3)!" Written by Helmoed-Romer Heitman. Art by Paul Hannon. From the days of its occupation by South African forces under the Mandate System, to its first election in 1989, South-West Africa was a hotbed of revolutionary activity. The establishment of SWAPO (South-West African People's Organization) in 1960, sparked decades of guerilla warfare, mostly aimed at the South African military. This book examines modern African wars between 1964 and 1989, and includes detailed descriptions of the South African Defence Force, Angolan Forces, SWAPO, and the major units involved in the counter-insurgency campaigns. The text is enhanced by colour plates, maps, and numerous photographs. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 243 - 1st printing. "Rome's Enemies (5)!" Written by David Nicolle. Art by Angus McBride. Rome's desert frontier was one where the Empire faced few dangers, for here relations were generally based on a mutual interest in trade across the frontier. Yet when Rome did clash with desert peoples, particularly those of Syria and Arabia, the mobility, fighting skills and ability to withdraw into an arid wilderness often gave the Arabs, Berbers and Sudanese an extra edge. This fascinating volume by David Nicolle explores the history and armies of Rome's enemies of the desert frontier. The author's fine text is accompanied by a wealth of illustrations and photographs, including eight stunning full page colour plates by Angus McBride. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 244 - 1st printing. "The French Army in the American War of Independence !" Written by René Chartrand. Art by Francis Back. The French forces that fought during the American War of Independence were, to a large extent, a product of the disasters of the Seven Years' War (1756-1763). During that war the fleet had been swept off the oceans, and nearly all colonies had been lost. Sweeping reforms were demanded. From the end of 1762 a series of royal orders dictated by common sense and good planning were signed by the king, and a vast reorganisation was started, ensuring that the army that fought in the American War presented a very different, altogether more formidable threat to her foes. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 245 - 1st printing. "British Territorial Units 1914–18!" Written by Ray Westlake. Art by Mike Chappell. In his Army Reforms of 1906/07 the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane, provided for an expeditionary force - the Regular Army supplemented by the old Militia - and a new organisation intended for home defence, the Territorial Force. This new 'Citizen's Army' was formed by the transfer of the Honourable Artillery Company, Imperial Yeomanry and Volunteer Force, all with many years of service and tradition. At the outbreak of war, the Territorial Force was organised as per the Regular Army, with infantry battalions, artillery, engineers, supply and medical formations. This title takes a highly detailed and illustrated look at the badges and uniforms and the changing organisation of the British Territorial units during the Great War. It also covers the combat experiences of the men who soon found themselves in service overseas, in the thick of the fighting. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 246 - 1st printing. "The Romanian Army of World War II!" Written by Mark Axworthy. Art by Horia Serbanescu. Although Romania had fought for the Allies in World War I with the fall of her allies the Czechs and the French mid-1940 she was forced to join the Axis. A coalition government was formed under General Antonescue who proved to be one of Germany's most effective military allies. The Romanian army saw extensive action and suffered terrible losses in operation Odessa and at Staligrad. By 1944 the Soviets were within the Romanian borders and the King sued for peace. Romania's defection significantly accelerated the end of the war. Her natural resources were now denied to Germany and her forces constituted the fourth largest Allied army. this book details the uniforms, equipment and unit organisation of the Romanian army during the entire conflict. Softcover, PC/PB&W.