Osprey Warrior Series SC (1993-2011 OSPREY) comic books 2001-2003

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Volume 28- 1st printing. "Green Beret in Vietnam!" Written by Gordon L Rottman. Art by Kevin Lyles. Vietnam was the US Special Forces most complex and controversial mission, one that began in 1957 and ended in 1973. Camp strike forces, mobile strike forces, mobile guerrilla forces, special reconnaissance projects, training missions and headquarters duty provided vastly differing experiences and circumstances for SF soldiers. Other fluctuating factors were the terrain, the weather and the shifting course of the war itself. Gordon Rottman examines the training, life, weapons and combat experiences of the Special Forces soldier in this challenging environment. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 29- 1st printing. "Ashigaru 1467-1649!" Written by Stephen Turnbull. Art by Howard Gerrard. The ashigaru were the foot soldiers of old Japan. Although recruited first to swell an army's numbers and paid only by loot, the samurai began to realise their worth, particularly with arquebuses and spears, until well-trained ashigaru made up a vital part of any samurai army. This book tells the story of the ashigaru for the first time, their origins, recruitment training and use in war. Stephen Turnbull draws on previously untranslated Japanese sources and unpublished illustrations that show the range of ashigaru activity, from sailors to catapult artillery men as well as the disciplined ranks of warriors that they had become. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 30- 1st printing. "Celtic Warrior!" Written by Stephen Allen. Art by Wayne Reynolds. In the 1st century BC, Strabo wrote of the Celts: 'The whole race... is madly fond of war, high-spirited and quick to battle... and on whatever pretext you stir them up, you will have them ready to face danger, even if they have nothing on their side but their own strength and courage'. This book gives an insight into the life of the Celtic warrior, and his experience of battle - on foot, on horseback, and as a charioteer. It also details Celtic society and studies the vital ritual nature of Celtic warfare, from the naked gaesatae to the woad-painted warriors. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 31- 1st printing. "Union Infantryman 1861-65!" Written by John Langellier. Art by John White. A Union supporter once said, What is a man's life worth if our glorious union is to be shattered by traitors? President Lincoln's volunteers and conscripted soldiers expanded the permanent Union army to include 1,700 regiments of foot soldiers during the course of the war. Those who became part of Mr. Lincoln's Army came from various social and economic conditions, and they documented their day-to-day life in diaries, letters and memoirs. Drawing on these narratives, contemporary photographs, and meticulous archival research, this book provides a vivid account of the common Union infantryman from recruitment and training to his experiences on the battlefield. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 32- 1st printing. "Aztec Warrior!" Written by John Pohl. Art by Adam Hook. According to one popular image, the Aztec army was a ruthless and efficient war machine, that established an empire by convincingly overwhelming its neighbors, sacrificing thousands to bloodthirsty gods along the way. From a contrasting perspective, its native warriors were no match for the modern warring methods of Cortés' greatly outnumbered Spaniards, who decisively defeated them. The reality of the Aztec warrior's ability and effectiveness lies somewhere between those two extremes, as this title makes clear. By examining the experiences of a hypothetical individual, Cuauhtli, this meticulously researched book shows that the history of Aztec warfare is much richer and far more complex than previously understood, and reveals the close relationship between social and military matters in Aztec society. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 33- 1st printing. "Knight Hospitaller (1)!" Written by David Nicolle. Art by Christa Hook. Unlike their sometime rivals the Templars, the Order of St John of the Hospital of Jerusalem (or the Hospitallers as they are better known) was not created as a result of the First Crusade in 1099: rather, it was probably established by a group of Italian merchants from Amalfi in the mid-11th century. However, as a consequence of the crusading movement, the Hospitallers became recognised experts in the military capabilities of opposing Islamic armies. This book, the first of two to examine the lifestyle, experiences and military role of the Hospitaller knight, covers the period from the foundation of the order to the invasion of Rhodes in 1306. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Very Fine $7.00

Add to cart Very Fine $7.00

Volume 34- 1st printing. "Confederate Artilleryman 1861-65!" Written by Philip Katcher. Art by Bill Younghusband. In the heady days of the rush to arms in 1861, comparatively few Southern men volunteered for service in the artillery: most preferred the easily accessible glory of the infantry or cavalry. Yet those that did quickly earned the respect of their fellow soldiers, and a reputation for being able to pull through deeper mud, ford deeper springs, shoot faster, swear louder ... than any other class of men in the service. Given that field artillery was invariably deployed in front of the troops that it was supporting, the artillerymen were exposed to a high level of enemy fire, and losses were significant. This title guides the reader through the life and experiences of the Confederate cannoneer - where he came from; how he trained and lived; how he dressed, ate and was equipped; and how he fought. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 35- 1st printing. "English Medieval Knight 1400-1500!" Written by Christopher Gravett. Art by Graham Turner. The 15th century was a time of change for knighthood. Knights no longer fought for their lords in return for land, since the feudal summons had long before given way to a system of contracts. Moreover, many knights now preferred the role of landowner, man-about-town or parliamentary representative. However, this was also the age of the knight in plate armour, of the battle of Agincourt and the conquests of Henry V, and of the Wars of the Roses, the bloody internecine struggle that tore medieval England apart. In this title Christopher Gravett describes the life of a 15th century knight, his equipment and experiences from his earliest days as a squire through to his experiences on the battlefields of England and France. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Very Fine $7.00

Volume 36- 1st printing. "Grey Wolf!" Written by Gordon Williamson. Art by Darko Pavlovic. The scourge of Allied shipping during World War II, the U-Boot Waffe was one of the most feared components of Hitler's war machine, yet the Kriegsmarine was the least political branch of the Third Reich. The sailors of the U-boat arm were courageous, highly skilled seamen, who fought a war in the toughest conditions: subject to immense tension, and forced to cope with the challenges of the Atlantic, life for a U-boat recruit was far from easy. This title explores the life of a typical U-boat crewman, from recruitment, through training and service conditions, to combat experience throughout the war. Illustrated with many previously unpublished images, this book offers a fresh insight into the experiences of the men in Dönitz's legendary 'wolf packs'. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Very Fine $7.00

Volume 37- 1st printing. "German Seaman 1939-45!" Written by Gordon Williamson. Art by John White. When re-armament came after World War I, the German Navy was forced to build anew, so the Reichsmarine and its successor, the Kriegsmarine, found itself in possession of some of the most modern, powerful and technically advanced vessels in the world. Germany was very selective in picking her sailors and the quality of manpower skill levels was thus very high. This book charts the recruitment, training, service conditions and combat experiences of a typical World War II German sailor, focusing on the main branches of the Navy, as well as the last ditch combat units thrown into action as infantry in the final days of the war. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 38- 1st printing. "Fallschirmjäger!" Written by Bruce Quarrie. Art by Velimir Vuksic. Few of the combatants of World War II have captured the imagination as compulsively as the Fallschirmjäger. Boldness and courage were vital characteristics in the rigorous selection process, and their training was highly demanding. Hitler's airborne troops were involved in some of the most daring actions of the whole war; from the 1940 assault on Eben Emael and the invasion of Crete in 1941, to the rescue of Mussolini and the attempt on Tito's life. In addition, they saw service as elite line infantry in the key theatres of North West Europe, North Africa and the Eastern Front. This title looks at the life and experiences of the average Fallschirmjäger, and includes first-hand accounts from different theatres and periods of the war. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 39- 1st printing. "Gladiators!" Written by Stephen Wisdom. Art by Angus McBride. From the high-walls and cheering crowds of the Coliseum to the dark dungeons where prisoners spent their last peaceful moments, Konstantin Nossov brings the world of the Roman gladiator to life. Using the latest research, Konstantin reconstructs the history of these men who battled for the entertainment of the masses, covering the evolution of gladiatorial combat, the types of gladiator, their equipment, their way of life, and their social status. Although most gladiators were slaves, who fought and died at the whims of the crowd, many were able to elevate their status and their lives through victories in the arena to become as popular as today's superstar athletes. Gladiators came from almost every walk of Roman life, from slaves and prisoners forced to fight to volunteers and even nobles who relished the opportunity to test their martial skills. This book covers all aspects of these warriors and paints an intimate portrait of their complex, dangerous and often deadly lives. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 40- 1st printing. "The Conquistador!" Written by John Pohl. Art by Adam Hook. Many accounts portray the conquest of the New World as a remarkable military achievement, with Cortés' vastly outnumbered but better armed Spaniards defeating hordes of superstitious savages. However, the reality of these events is far more complex and no less significant. The first Conquistadors who had sailed in search of prosperity, inspired by dreams of unlimited riches, soon became disillusioned and restless. With disease rampant, resources exhausted, and the Caribbean populations dwindling, they had little alternative but to find new territories and peoples to exploit. This title shows how, bolstered by influxes of war-hardened veterans from Europe and an army of over 30,000 allied Indian troops, they came to rely on and perfect what they knew best - killing for profit, and without mercy. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 41- 1st printing. "Knight Hospitaller (2)!" Written by David Nicolle. Art by Christa Hook. Having campaigned on land during their early existence, the Hospitallers fought mainly at sea from the turn of the 14th century. The emphasis was now on small-scale operations, rather than the crusading invasion that had so often come to grief. Having conquered Rhodes, the Order fortified it and transferred there in 1309. A period of on-off warfare with the Mamluks became full-blown conflict with the Ottomans, who captured Rhodes in 1522, forcing the Hospitallers to transfer to Malta. This book, the second of two, takes a close look at the men who lived and died for the Hospitaller cause in this key period, and the political and economic role that the Order played within the Christian empire. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Add to cart Very Fine $7.00

Volume 42- 1st printing. "Redcoat Officer!" Written by Stuart Reid. Art by Gerry Embleton. The commissioned officer ranks in the British Army from 1740-1815 were almost entirely composed of the affluent and educated - the sons of the landed gentry, the wealthy, and other professional people. This title looks at the enlistment, training, daily life and combat experiences of the typical British officer in the crucial periods of the North American conflicts, the American Revolution, and the Napoleonic Wars. It compliments the author's previous treatments in Warrior 19 British Redcoat 1740-93 and Warrior 20 British Redcoat (2) 1793-1815, which deal exclusively with the common infantryman, and balances these discussions through a look at the 'fellows in silk stockings'. Particular emphasis is placed on the experiences and activities in North America in the late 18th century. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 43- 1st printing. "Matchlock Musketeer!" Written by Keith Roberts. Art by Stephen Walsh. The Matchlock Musketeer follows the lives of soldiers armed with this weapon from its adoption by the English in Queen Elizabeth's reign until its replacement with the flintlock at the end of the 17th century. It was used extensively during the Armada Campaign, the English Civil War, The Restoration and the Glorious Revolution. The musketeer's experience in battle, skirmish, siege and camp saw both change and continuity during this period. The common experiences of the musketeer (including digging trenches, firing and fighting, and life on campaign) are explored in this title. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 44- 1st printing. "Ironsides!" Written by John Tincey. Art by Graham Turner. The Ironside is symbolic of the one occasion when the army took an active role in British politics. He represents a unique period when ordinary people displaced the established order to take political control into their own hands. In the nineteenth century a rash of historical publications, paintings and statues with a civil war theme reflected the political divisions of Victorian society and Royalist and Parliamentarian causes were argued over again, reflecting the sub text of contemporary political struggles. This book attempts to take a wider view of the Ironside as a warrior who evolved from the experiments of the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries to combine firepower with the armoured cavalryman. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 45- 1st printing. "US Infantryman in World War II (1)!" Written by Robert S Rush. Art by Elizabeth Sharp. This title deals with the experiences of the American soldiers who fought the Japanese across the Pacific islands, and the specific nature of this combat environment. It follows a hypothetical soldier, 'Michael', through his enlistment into and training with the 165th Infantry Regiment (New York National Guard). It takes him through the 1941 maneuvers the 27th Infantry Division participated in, the transfer to Oahu, and into the reality of daily life and combat in the Pacific theater from 1942 to 1945, including Makin, Saipan and Okinawa. It also looks at the PTO administrative procedures for replacements, and medical and psychiatric care of the ordinary soldier. Whilst the focus is on one individual, the experiences of the many are examined and woven into an intricate and meticulous narrative. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 46- 1st printing. "Panzer Crewman 1939-45!" Written by Gordon Williamson. Art by Velimir Vuksic. In World War II the Panzer crews spearheaded every major campaign or battle from the invasions of Poland and France to the last great counter-offensive in the Ardennes. Germany's Panzer crews fought on every front and along the way earned a formidable reputation for élan in attack and steadfastness in defence. This book charts the recruitment, training, service conditions and combat experience of a typical World War II German tank crewman, serving on various fronts - from the scorching heat of the Western Desert to the frozen tundra of the Eastern Front. It features many unpublished photographs from both private collectors and Panzer veterans themselves. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Add to cart Very Fine $7.00

Volume 47- 1st printing. "British Rifleman 1797-1815!" Written by Philip Haythornthwaite. Art by Christa Hook. The rifle corps of the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars are among the most recognisable of all the soldiers of that era: their distinctive dark green uniforms are as familiar as some of their exploits. They have achieved considerable fame through the large numbers of memoirs written by members of the rifle corps as well as through modern fiction, most notably the Sharpe series. Apart from their reputation as a corps d'elite, the riflemen were, in their time, at the very cutting edge of military technology and tactical theory. Philip Haythornwaite here uses fascinating first hand accounts and detailed research to give a 'soldier's-eye view' of the British Rifleman, his life and work. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 48- 1st printing. "English Medieval Knight 1200-1300!" Written by Christopher Gravett. Art by Graham Turner. The 13th century was a time of change for knights in England. They were faced with rising costs and increasing demands on their time for local government because of their very status in society, until knighthood itself was sometimes avoided. This period saw as well the development of the tournament from the wild team events of the early years of the century to the single jousts with blunt lance. Campaign life in the 13th century also embraced several theatres of war including the baronial revolt against King John, the Barons' Wars of Simon de Montfort, and the Welsh and Scottish wars of Edward I. This title also covers the use and development of arms, armour, costume and other equipment. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 49- 1st printing. "Landsknecht Soldier 1486-1560!" Written by John Harald Richards. Art by Gerry Embleton. The Landsknecht (meaning 'servant of the country') flourished during a key period for military organisation and practice. In the late 15th century, the Holy Roman Emperor, Maximilian I, recruited thousands of mercenaries from Central and Northern Europe, with the aim of creating a reliable source of men for his armies - and the Landsknecht were born. This book reveals the true-life experiences of the Landsknecht soldier, using numerous first-hand accounts. It takes a close look at the recruitment, training, daily life and and careers of these formidable soldiers, and examines in detail their clothing, equipment and weaponry. Many fine, contemporary illustrations, some drawn by Landsknecht themselves, accompany the text. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 50- 1st printing. "Pictish Warrior AD 297-841!" Written by Paul Wagner. Art by Wayne Reynolds. First mentioned by name in AD 297, the Picts inhabited Northern Britain from the end of the 3rd century AD to the 9th. They rose to power in the devastation following Emperor Septimus Severus's repression of the Caledonians in AD 208, and dominated Northern Britain for over 500 years, before vanishing mysteriously. The Picts represent a high point of Celtic civilisation, remaining free and unconquered beyond the borders of the Roman world, and rising to become the first barbarians to form a recognisable 'nation'. This title takes a detailed look at their origins, and examines Pictish heroic and warrior society, covering education and training, appearance and equipment, the status of women, and the experience of battle. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.