Osprey Elite Series SC (1984-2008 OSPREY) comic books

Volume 151 - 1st printing. "World War II Jungle Warfare Tactics!" Written by Stephen Bull. Art by Steve Noon. This book describes and illustrates, in fascinating detail, the slow and painful learning curve followed by the Allies in the mid-war years as they attempted to end the Japanese stranglehold on Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Based on the actual wartime training documents and front-line memoirs, it shows how the British, Australian and US armies transformed their tactics, attitudes and equipment to master the art of jungle warfare. In 1944-45 the Allies finally conquered the jungle environment, exploiting their new strengths and their enemy's weaknesses, to win crushing victories in Burma and on the Pacific islands. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

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Volume 152 - 1st printing. "The British Reconnaissance Corps in World War II!" Written by Richard Doherty. Art by Rob Chapman. This book recounts the combat service, and explains the organization, of the 'Recce' Corps, whose units provided the mobile spearhead of the British infantry divisions from the Far East to Europe. Trained to probe ahead and locate the enemy, and to screen the flanks and rearguard when under attack, the Recce troopers fought both from their light armoured vehicles and on foot. The text is illustrated with rare photos from private collections and colour illustrations of uniforms, insignia and the armoured cars of a corps whose contribution to victory was largely forgotten after disbandment at the close of World War II. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $18.95.

Volume 153 - 1st printing. "The Australian Army in World War II!" Written by Mark Johnston. Art by Carlos Chagas. This book recounts the organization and deployment of one of the most important fighting armies of World War II. Australian divisions made a large and distinctive contribution to victory both in the deserts of the Middle East and the jungles of the South-West Pacific,earning for the second time a unique reputation for aggressiveness, endurance and independence of spirit. The text is illustrated with original wartime photos from all fronts; and with full colour plates showing a wide range of uniforms and gear, together with the complex and colourful Australian system of unit insignia. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 154 - 1st printing. "Vietnam Airmobile Warfare Tactics!" Written by Gordon L Rottman. Art by Adam Hook. In this book the author - an Army veteran of Vietnam - explains the composition, capabilities, equipment and missions of the US Army and Marine Corps helicopter and airmobile units in the Vietnam war - and exactly how they carried out their missions. It centers on the classic airmobile assault mission: how it was planned and prepared; how the troop-carrying "slicks" and their "gunship" escorts and support teams actually operated; and the opposition and hazards that they faced on the LZ. The text is illustrated with wartime photos, organization charts, and color plates showing both the machines and the tactics that where employed. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

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Volume 155 - 1st printing. "Roman Battle Tactics 109BC-AD313!" Written by Ross Cowan. Art by Adam Hook. How, exactly, did Rome become master of the ancient world? This book examines and illustrates the tactics employed by the legions of late Republican and early Imperial Rome, from the evidence o f ancient writers. The greatest military machine in the Western world for at least four centuries, the Roman Army was the foundation of the Western military tradition, and its doctrines were central to the later revival of trained, drilled professional armies. Here the evidence is discussed in clear detail, and brought to life with battle plans and full colour interpretations of tactical scenarios. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 156 - 1st printing. "World War II Combat Reconnaissance Tactics!" Written by Gordon L Rottman. Art by Peter Dennis. This book explains and illustrates the tactics, techniques, equipment and unit organization of reconnaissance troops of the main wartime powers. It covers not only the dedicated reconnaissance units in the divisional order of battle, with their vehicles and heavy firepower, but also the small infantry patrols that were sent out constantly, by commanders at every level, to scout the terrain, detect the enemy, and infiltrate or raid his lines. These are illustrated with wartime photos, and brought to life in detailed colour plates of tactical scenarios. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 157 - 1st printing. "The German Home Front 1939-45 !" Written by Brian L Davis. Art by Malcolm McGregor. This book outlines and illustrates the living conditions of German civilians in World War II, and the Nazi state's basic structure. German families suffered the same hardships as British - labour conscription, extra civic duties, severe shortages of food and necessities, disrupted transport, homelessness and evacuation, separation from loved ones and, for many, bereavement. However, there were important differences. The dictator for whom many had voted was leading them to ruin; unequalled death and devastation ensued from Allied air raids; and every aspect of life was caged around with repressive decrees that began to replace the true rule of law well before September 1939. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 158 - 1st printing. "African American Troops in World War II!" Written by Alexander Bielakowski. Art by Raffaele Ruggeri. About half a million African Americans served overseas during World War II, almost all in segregated second-line units. This artificially limited their potential contribution, but their work - especially along the logistic lifelines of the fighting divisions - was vital. This book summarizes the service of these men and women; and it also focuses on the small proportion who, remarkably, overcame prejudicial barriers to reach the battlefields in combat units of the US forces and Coast Guard. Their story is illustrated with wartime photographs, and color plates - including portraits of the most outstanding African Americans, the true heirs of the old "Buffalo Soldiers." Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 159 - 1st printing. "French Napoleonic Infantry Tactics 1792-1815!" Written by Paddy Griffith. Art by Peter Dennis. Bonaparte's Grande Armée, one of the most renowned battle-winning machines in history, evolved from a merging of the professional army of the Ancien Régime and the volunteers and conscripts of the Revolutionary levée en masse - although the contribution of the former is often underestimated. A leading authority on the history of tactics draws here on original drill manuals and later writings to explain how the French infantry of 1792-1815 were organized for fire and movement on the battlefield. Illustrated with clear diagrams and relevant paintings and prints, and specially prepared colour plates, this text brings the tactical aspects of eight battles vividly to life. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 160 - 1st printing. "World War II Infantry Assault Tactics !" Written by Gordon L Rottman. Art by Peter Dennis. Just about every war movie - famously, Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers - includes dramatic scenes of soldiers trying to attack an enemy pillbox or trench. Gordon L Rottman (who became expert in these tactics whilst serving in the Vietnam War) explains and illustrates the kit and techniques used in assaulting fortifications. He covers the differences in British, American, German, Soviet and Japanese approaches and experiences, concentrating on small units of foot soldiers with hand-carried equipment. Their tactical deployment is analysed and explained in detail, with the support of colour artwork, maps, diagrams and photographs. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $7.00

Add to cart Near Mint $7.00

Volume 161 - 1st printing. "The US Home Front 1941-45!" Written by Alejandro de Quesada. Art by Stephen Walsh. The outbreak of World War II in Europe in 1939 led to cautious attempts to raise volunteer organisations among American men and women, to back the armed forces in the event of the USA becoming directly involved in the conflict. The attack on Pearl Harbor caused a huge surge of patriotic response, and voluntary enlistment in a wide range of armed forces auxiliary and civilian support services swelled vastly. Looking firstly at the background and general character of wartime life in the States, this book covers a number of these services, providing an interesting comparison with the conditions on the British Home Front and the experiences of other countries caught up in the war, examining organisations from the Red Cross to the Coast Guard and for the first time, containing full-colour reconstructions of over a dozen uniformed services. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 162 - 1st printing. "World War II Desert Tactics!" Written by Paddy Griffith. Art by Adam Hook. From 1940 to 1943 North Africa saw the first major desert campaign by modern mechanised armies. The British, Italians, German Afrika Korps and US Army all addressed and learned from the special problems - human, logistical, mechanical and tactical - of the desert environment, most significantly fighting in a terrain empty of resources and offering little chance of concealment. Paddy Griffith traces the fast-learned development in armour, artillery and infantry tactics in this exceptional arena and illustrates them with references to the major engagements in the North African theatre, which involved some of the greatest tacticians of World War II in one of the pivotal theatres. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.