Osprey Men-at-Arms Series SC (1973-2011 OSPREY) comic books 2001

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Volume 19 - 2nd and later printings. "The Iron Brigade!" Written by John Selby. Art by Michael Roffe. This book examines the uniforms and equipment, history and organisation of the Iron Brigade during the American Civil War. The major battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg are all covered. Uniforms are shown in full colour artwork. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 20 - 2nd and later printings. "Japanese Army of World War II!" Written by Philip Warner. Art by Michael Youens. In 1941 the Allied forces in the Pacific were devastatingly unprepared for the onslaught of the Japanese Army, which by this time had been fighting for ten years on the Manchurian front. The Allies paid dearly for their lack of planning and found themselves defeated time and time again as the seasoned Japanese forces swept through the Pacific colonies. This book examines the Japanese concept of war and describes the organisation, tactics and weaponry of the Japanese Army from their triumphant invasions of 1941-42 until their ultimate defeat in 1945. Numerous illustrations and colour plates depict the weapons and uniforms of the Japanese troops in vivid detail. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Add to cart Near Mint $8.00

Add to cart Very Fine $6.00

Volume 35 - 2nd and later printings. "Wellington's Peninsular Army!" Written by James Lawford. Art by Michael Roffe. At the beginning of the Napoleonic period the British Army's record left something to be desired. During the Peninsular War, however, Wellington led and trained an army that never knew a major defeat on the field. Even Wellington himself described his army as 'able to go anywhere or do anything'. This book examines the formidable British Army which played an integral part in stalling Napoleon's advance, focusing on the staff, infantry, cavalry, artillery and sieges and sappers. Numerous illustrations, including eight colour plates, vividly depict the weaponry and uniforms of Wellington's Peninsular Army. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Add to cart Near Mint $8.00

Volume 47 - 2nd and later printings. "The South Wales Borderers!" Written by Christopher Wilkinson-Latham. Art by Michael Roffe. This book examines the uniforms, equipment, history and organisation of the South Wales Borderers, from Marlborough's Wars through to World War 2. The regiment's service in the Napoleonic wars, the Zulu War and in India are all covered. Uniforms are shown in full illustrated detail. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 348 - 1st printing. "The Moors!" Written by David Nicolle. Art by Angus McBride. The high point of medieval Islamic expansion was the 700-year presence of the 'Moors' in Spain and Portugal. The Arab and Berber conquest was followed by the establishment of a richly distinct culture in Andalusia, where for a while Muslim and Christian co-operated as often as they fought. The rise and fall of successive Islamic dynasties brought new invaders, fragmentation and disunity; and the growing Christian kingdoms to the north eventually doomed the amirate of Granada, the last Moorish bastion, which fell to the Castilians in 1492. The colourful armies of Western Islam are described and illustrated here in fascinating detail. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 349 - 1st printing. "The Italian Army 1940–45 (2)!" Written by Philip Jowett. Art by Stephen Andrew. At its peak the Italian Army contributed 2.5 million troops to the Axis war effort. In addition to its major role in North Africa, Italy's army invaded, and later bore the main burden of occupying, the Balkan countries. Italy also sent 250,000 men to fight on the Russian Front. In this second book of a three-part study Philip Jowett covers the organisation, uniforms and insignia of the Italian troops committed to both the North African campaign, and the often neglected East African fighting of 1940-41, including the colourful colonial units. Stephen Andrew's meticulous colour plates illustrate a wide range of uniforms. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 350 - 1st printing. "The US Army in World War II (3)!" Written by Mark Henry. Art by Mike Chappell. The GIs who struggled ashore through the surf of Omaha and Utah Beaches on 6 June 1944 were members of the best-equipped army ever assembled up to that date. It was in the NW Europe campaign of June 1944-May 1945 that the US Army was finally able to show its full potential for fluent mechanised warfare. This title describes both combat and service uniforms worn in the ETO, from the assault troops on the D-Day beaches to bemedalled veterans celebrating VE-Day; other subjects covered include artillery, tanks, anti-tank weapons, the engineers, the replacement system; and the insignia of the divisions committed to this front. Men-at-Arms 342, 347 and 350 are also available as a single volume special edition as ‘The US Army in World War II'. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 351 - 1st printing. "British Air Forces 1914-18 (2)!" Written by Andrew Cormack. Art by Peter Cormack. The outbreak of World War I found the British Army's Royal Flying Corps with just over 200 fragile, unarmed reconnaissance aircraft, and a uniformed strength of just over 2,000 all ranks; the Royal Naval Air Service had some 50 seaplanes. By the Armistice of 1918 the unified Royal Air Force was the largest in the world, with about 22,650 aeroplanes - including a strategic bomber force - and 27,330 men operating from some 700 bases. This second in a two-part study covers RAF, WRAF and RAFNS uniforms from the unification of the service in April 1918; and the whole span of flying clothing during the Great War. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 352 - 1st printing. "The United States Army 1783–1811!" Written by James Kochan. Art by David Rickman. When the Revolutionary War ended Washington's victorious Continental Army was disbanded. The infant United States had very mixed feelings about standing armies; but years of Indian-fighting on the frontier emphasised the need for a force larger than Josiah Harmar's original 700-man 1st American Regiment. In the event Secretary Hamilton's far-sighted reforms, which produced 'Wayne's Legion' in the early 1790s, were to be short-lived, and it took later threats of international war to stimulate the eventual expansion of the young US Army. James Kochan's meticulously researched study of a dramatic and confused period in American military history - the years of St Clair's disaster, 'Mad Anthony' Wayne's victory at Fallen Timbers, and Harrison's at Tippecanoe - is illustrated with many rare and important paintings and drawings. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 353 - 1st printing. "The Italian Army 1940–45 (3)!" Written by Philip Jowett. Art by Stephen Andrew. Immediately after the Allied invasion of Italy in September 1943, Mussolini was deposed and the new Italian government switched sides. The German occupying forces swiftly freed Il Duce and ruthlessly disarmed the Italian Army; and from then until the end of the war in April 1945 Italian troops fought on both sides - with the forces of the new Fascist 'Salo Republic', in the Allied 'Co-Belligerent Forces', and in the Partisan movement. This period of bitter struggle saw the appearance of many new units and a wide range of interesting uniforms, described and illustrated in this final part of Philip Jowett's comprehensive three-volume series. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 354 - 1st printing. "The British Army 1939–45 (1)!" Written by Martin Brayley. Art by Mike Chappell. The Second World War was Britain's last conflict as a world power. For a year it saw Britain standing alone against the fascist dictatorships; winning it demanded the sacrifice of the entire national wealth. This first book of three describes the uniforms developed for European service. It traces the appearance of the 'Tommy' from pre-war mobilization, through the years of defeat and endurance, to D-Day and the long fighting advance to Northern Germany. The book also includes a campaign summary, infantry organization tables, lists of arms and services and basic specifications of a number of heavy weapons. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 355 - 1st printing. "Wellington's Belgian Allies 1815!" Written by Ronald Pawly. Art by Patrice Courcelle. The army commanded by the Duke of Wellington at Quatre-Bras and Waterloo included two infantry divisions and three cavalry brigades of the newly-unified Netherlands (or 'Dutch-Belgian') army. The part played by these troops in the two battles, under experienced officers many of whom had seen long service in Napoleon's campaigns, has often been unjustly dismissed by British commentators. The organisation, uniforms, and battle record of the Belgian units are explained here in detail by an experienced researcher in Continental archives, and illustrated by a specialist in the period, who actually lives at Waterloo. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 356 - 1st printing. "Armies in the Balkans 1914–18!" Written by Nigel Thomas and Dusan Babac. Art by Darko Pavlovic. Recent history should remind us that it was events in the Balkans which sparked off the Great War, with the assassination of the Austrian heir Prince Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, and the consequent invasion of Serbia by Austro-Hungarian armies on 2 August 1914. Nevertheless, the subsequent four-year war in that theatre is always overshadowed by the simultaneous campaigns on the Western Front. For the first time this book offers a concise account of these complex campaigns, the organisation, orders of battle, and the uniforms and insignia of the armies involved: Austro-Hungarian, German, Ottoman, Serbian, Montenegrin, Albanian, British, French, Italian, Russian, Bulgarian, Greek and Rumanian. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 357 - 1st printing. "World War II Allied Women's Services!" Written by Martin Brayley. Art by Ramiro Bujeiro. The contribution of women to the Allied war effort in 1939-45 was massive. Apart from their many vital roles 'on the home front', about a million Soviet, 500,000 British and 200,000 American women, and tens of thousands from other Allied nations, served in uniform with the armed forces. To put these figures in perspective: enough American women served to free sufficient able-bodied men to form 15 infantry divisions. It was not only in the USSR that their duties took them into harm's way; hundreds of British Commonwealth and US servicewomen died, and many were decorated. This book gives a concise introduction to the organisation and uniforms of these services, with an emphasis on the British and US forces. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Add to cart Near Mint $8.00

Add to cart Very Fine $6.00

Volume 358 - 1st printing. "The Portuguese Army of the Napoleonic Wars (3)!" Written by René Chartrand. Art by Bill Younghusband. This remarkable three-part study will transform the research material available to the English-speaking student of the Peninsular War. Most know that Wellington's Portuguese troops were praised as the 'fighting cocks' of his army; fewer appreciate that they represented between half and one-third of his entire forces. Similarly, most uniform historians have been limited to a few half-understood paintings by Dighton, and brief notes from secondary sources. René Chartrand's recent primary research in Portuguese and British archives now offers a wealth of new material. This third volume covers the artillery, militia, Ordenanza, volunteers, troops in the off-shore colonies, navy, and decorations. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 359 - 1st printing. "Canadian Forces in World War II!" Written by René Chartrand. Art by Ronald Volstad. Canada was the first Commonwealth country to send troops to Britain in 1939. During 1939-45 hundreds of thousands of Canadians - more than 40 per cent of the male population between the ages of 18 and 45, and virtually all of them volunteers - enlisted. Canadians fought with tragic courage at Hong Kong and Dieppe; with growing strength and confidence in Sicily, Italy and Normandy; and finally provided an entire Army for the liberation of NW Europe. This concise account of an extraordinary national effort in the cause of freedom is supported by data tables, photos, and eight colour plates by Canada's most knowledgeable military illustrator. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 360 - 1st printing. "The Thracians 700 BC–AD 46!" Written by Christopher Webber. Art by Angus McBride. Throughout the three centuries before Christ many hundreds of thousands of Thracians, in more than 40 tribes, occupied the area between northern Greece, southern Russia and north-west Turkey. Skilled horsemen, masters of light infantry fighting in broken terrain, and renowned for their ferocity, the Thracians were feared by even the greatest of their contemporaries, who were eager to employ them as mercenaries. After surviving invasions by the Persians, Greeks, Macedonians and Celts, the Thracians were finally conquered by Rome in AD 46. This concise but lavishly illustrated study of their history and material culture includes the results of the latest archaeological research, notably some remarkable tomb paintings. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 361 - 1st printing. "Axis Cavalry in World War II!" Written by Jeffrey T Fowler. Art by Mike Chappell. It is often forgotten that the German Wehrmacht of 1939-45 relied heavily upon horses. Not only was the majority of Army transport and much of the artillery dependent on draught horse teams; the Germans also kept a horse-mounted cavalry division in the field until the end of 1941. After withdrawing it, they discovered a need to revive and greatly expand their cavalry units in 1943-45. The Army and Waffen-SS cavalry proved their worth on the Russian Front, supported by other Axis cavalry contingents - Romanian, Hungarian, Italian, and locally recruited. In this book an experienced horseman describes that last generation of horse-soldiers in a text supported by tables, photographs, and meticulous colour plates. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 364 - 1st printing. "The Russian Army 1914–18!" Written by Nik Cornish. Art by Andrei Karachtchouk. Often overshadowed by the drama of its catastrophic collapse in the November 1917 Revolution, the Imperial Russian Army's record in 1914-16 included some notable victories. Its human qualities of patriotism and endurance were remarkable, and in 1916 the 'Brusilov Offensive' on the South-Western Front outdistanced anything that was being achieved in France. The variety and romance of its uniforms - infantry and cavalry, Guards and Line, Cossacks, armour and Air Service crewmen, even a priest - are splendidly captured here by Russia's leading military artist; and Nik Cornish's expert text is supported by tables of insignia and many rare photographs. Softcover, PC/PB&W.