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

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Volume 8 - 2nd and later printings. "The Black Watch!". Written by Charles Grant. Art by Michael Youens. In the wake of the Jacobite rebellions, companies of trustworthy Highlanders were raised from royal clans to protect the populace, deter cattle stealing and guard against any possible Jacobite incursion. Soon after its formation, the companies organized into a regiment of foot known famously as the 'Black Watch', the name thought to derive from their dark-coloured tartans and their role to 'watch' the Highlands. This book explores the uniforms, equipment and history of the Black Watch, from their involvement in the battles of Fontenoy and Ticonderoga in the mid-18th century, through to the Korean War of the 1950s. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 21 - 2nd and later printings. "The King's Regiment!" Written by Alan Shepperd. Art by Michael Roffe. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 46 - 2nd and later printings. "The Roman Army from Caesar to Trajan!" Written by Michael Simkins. Art by Ronald Embleton. Although the common Roman fighting men themselves have left no account, much literature has survived from antiquity. The wealth of archaeological finds, plus the study of surviving Roman scultpure has allowed hisorians to learn much about the nature of the Roman army which conquered an astonishing expanse of territory. Michael Simkins brings all his substantial knowledge to bear on this fascinating subject, covering such topics as army composition, recruitment, training, campaign routine and providing a wealth of detail on weapons, uniforms and equipment. Men-at-Arms 283, 291 and 46 are also available in a single volume special edition as ‘Caesar's Legions'. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 49 - 2nd and later printings. "The Coldstream Guards!" Written by Charles Grant. Art by Michael Roffe. The Coldstream Guards is the oldest serving regular regiment in the British Army. First called 'Monck's Regiment of Foot' the regiment was formed by Oliver Cromwell in 1650, and was later re-named the 'Coldstream Guards' after the Scottish village where Monck assembled his troops before marching into London. In the years following the English Civil War, the troops saw action in the Napoleonic Wars, the Crimea, Egypt, Sudan and South Africa, and World Wars I and II. This book outlines the history of the Coldstream Guards from its inception to the end of World War II, detailing the uniforms and equipment of this prestigious unit. Softcover, 50 pages, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 55 - 2nd and later printings. "Napoleon's Dragoons and Lancers!" Written by Emir Bukhari. Art by Angus McBride. France was to call up a total of 1,600,000 men during the Napoleonic Wars, of whom a mere 600,000 were to survive. For those conscripted into service, one of the better fates would be recruitment as a cavalryman. Napoleon's dragoons were not just any band of individuals sorted and labelled cavalrymen; they were mounted infantrymen, trained to be adept with both musket and sabre, and proud of that distinction. Originally mounted for the sake of mobility but generally fighting on foot, they evolved into an army equally at home sabring at the charge as firing dismounted. Softcover, 50 pages, PC/PB&W.

Add to cart Fine $9.60

Add to cart Fine $9.60

Volume 73 - 1st printing. "The Grenadier Guards!" Written by David Fraser. Art by Angus McBride. General Sir David Fraser tells the story of this famous regiment; their beginnings, customs, battles and traditions from their formation as 'The Royal Regiment of Guards' in 1656 down to our own times. It is a remarkable story that includes Marlborough's campaigns in the struggle against France, the battle of Waterloo, the Crimean War, and of course two World Wars and beyond. Numerous photographs and illustrations populate Sir David's absorbing text, including eight full page colour plates by renowned military artist Angus McBride, with lengthy commentaries examining in detail the uniforms of the Grenadiers from 1865 to the 1970's. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 78 - 2nd and later printings. "Flags of the Napoleonic Wars (2)!" Written by Terence Wise. Art by Guido Rosignoli. From the Liebfahne and Ordinärfahne of Austria, to the eagle and wreath of Russia, the flags of the Napoleonic Wars comprised a range of designs and colours. The second in a series of three volumes focusing on flags of the Napoleonic Wars, this book examines the patterns, colours and guidons of Austria, Britain, Prussia and Russia, offering a rare glimpse into an often-overlooked subject in Napoleonic history. The text is packed with illustrations throughout, including colour plates, sketches and tables detailing flag variants, patterns and inspection colours. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Add to cart Near Mint $3.00

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.

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Volume 85 - 2nd and later printings. "Saxon, Viking and Norman!" Written by Terence Wise. Art by Gerry Embleton. If there is one thing we can be sure of concerning the Saxons, Vikings and Normans who inhabited the medieval world, it is that they were a good deal more advanced than some writings would have us believe. This fascinating book by Terence Wise explores the history, organization, clothing, equipment and weapons of Saxon, Viking and Norman peoples, covering wide-ranging topics such as Anglo-Saxon shields, Viking raiding ships and the organization of Norman armies.The absorbing and readable text is enriched by numerous illustrations and museum photographs with commentaries, plus eight superbly drawn full page colour plates by renowned military artist Gerry Embleton. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 96 - 2nd and later printings. "Artillery Equipments of the Napoleonic Wars!" Written by Terence Wise. Art by Richard Hook. In the first half of the 18th century the French had been the European leaders in artillery, possessing the only standardised range of pieces. These pieces, were sturdy but extremely heavy. This books shows how at the beginning of the Seven Years' War, Austria seized the lead by introducing new light field pieces - the 3pdr., 6pdr., and 12pdr. guns - and some excellent light howitzers. Other powers adopted this new system, however no complete overarching methodology existed until the implementation of the Gribeauval system, which was to revolutionise the artillery of Europe and make possible the highly efficient field artillery of the Napoleonic Wars. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Add to cart Near Mint $3.00

Volume 123 - 1st printing. "The Australian Army at War 1899–1975!" Written by John Laffin. Art by Mike Chappell. The Australians have had a brief military history, by world standards, but they have taken part in nine wars and, British troops apart, they have fought in more countries than the soldiers of any other nation. Friend and foe alike have assessed them as men-at-arms perhaps equalled but never surpassed. This absorbing text by John Laffin examines the history, uniforms and organisation of these colourful and courageous troops, from the Diggers of the First World War to their role in Vietnam. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Add to cart Fine $9.60

Volume 134 - 2nd and later printings. "Battle for the Falklands (2)!" Written by Adrian English and Anthony Watts. In the early hours of the chilly late-autumn morning, April 2 1982, substantial forces of Argentine Marines, with heavy naval and air support, had invaded the Falkland islands, quickly and almost bloodlessly overwhelming a token garrison of Royal Marines. The following day Argentine forces also invaded the Falklands dependency of South Georgia, forcing the garrison of just 22 Royal Marines to surrender – though not before they had inflicted disproportionately heavy losses on their attackers. In this companion to Men-at-Arms 133 & 135 Adrian English and Anthony Watts examine the naval forces of both sides who fought in the battle for the Falklands. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 153 - 1st printing. "Napoleon's Guard Infantry (1)!" Written by Philip Haythornthwaite. Art by Bryan Fosten. The concept of the bodyguard is as ancient as the practice of an individual assuming the leadership of a group or tribe. From the Companions of Alexander to the Varangians of Byzantium, bodies of élite warriors, owing personal allegiance to their sovereign and obeying no others, have illuminated or stained the annals of military history. Napoleon's Imperial Guards probably represent the last true link in a chain spanning the ages. Philip Haythornthwaite describes the history, organisation and equipment of Napoleon's Guard Infantry in an engaging work which includes numerous illustrations and eight full page colour plates superbly drawn by Bryan Fosten. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Add to cart Near Mint $3.00

Volume 187 - 1st printing. "British Battle Insignia (2)!" Written by Mike Chappell. Art by Mike Chappell. By the New Year of 1940 the War Office had agreed in principle to (a) the enhancement of officers' badges of rank with cloth in the colour of the arm-of-service; (b) strips of cloth in the same colours to be worn at the top of the sleeves by all ranks; and (c) the wearing of regimental flashes on Battledress. And so the rules for the wearing of battle insignia throughout the British Army were established. How far they were obeyed and how often they were ignored will become obvious to anyone reading Mike Chappell's splendid companion work to Men-At-Arms 182. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Add to cart Near Mint $3.00

Volume 291 -2nd and later printings. "Republican Roman Army 200–104 BC!" Written by Nicholas Sekunda. Art by Angus McBride. The principal source of information on the Roman Republican Army is the sixth book of the Histories of the Greek historian Polybius, written a little before 150BC. This engaging text by Nicholas Sekunda draws heavily on this vital source to outline the equipment and organisation of the Roman Republican Army from 200–104 BC – a time when Rome was growing from a regional to a world power. With plenty of photographs and illustrations, including eight vivid full page colour plates by Angus McBride, this fascinating volume examines such topics as the Roman shield, helmets, the cuirass, greaves, the pilum, legion organisation, the principales and the tactics they employed. Softcover, PC/PB&W.