Osprey Warrior Series SC (1993-2011 OSPREY) comic books 2005-2007

Volume 79- 1st printing. "US Doughboy 1916-19!" Written by Thomas Hoff. Art by Adam Hook. Dedicated to the life of the average US soldier during World War I, this book follows the doughboy during the course of the war: from conscription, arrival at a training facility, transportation to Europe, and finally into combat in the trenches. The evolution of the US Army is discussed, and its organization, the tension between Pershing's desire for "open" warfare and the actual reality of trench warfare is examined in detail. Appearance, equipment and weaponry of the American soldier are all featured, along with vivid descriptions of day-to-day experiences and the shock of combat on the front. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 92- 1st printing. "US Marine Corps Tank Crewman 1941-45!" Written by Kenneth W Estes. Art by Howard Gerrard. The ferocity of the Pacific war almost defied the available military technology. In this environment the evolving use of tanks by the US Marine Corps played a significant role; at the end of the Battle of Okinawa, Major General Lemuel Shepherd wrote in his report that 'if any one supporting arm can be singled out as having contributed more than any others during the progress of the campaign, the tank would certainly be selected.' This book traces the history of the US Marine Corps tank crewman, including the significant changes in doctrine, equipment, and organization that the war brought, and his experience fighting in the Pacific theater. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 93- 1st printing. "German Infantryman (3) Eastern Front 1943-45!" Written by David Westwood. Art by Elizabeth Sharp. This third volume of a successful mini-series examines the German Infantryman in the latter part of World War II. Despite being constantly in retreat, often short of equipment, sometimes hungry, cold and wet, and the overwhelming numbers of Soviet troops and armour facing him, the German Infantryman's resistance was always fierce, and although constantly moving back towards Germany, his defensive withdrawals cost the Russians dearly. During this period defensive tactics involved close artillery and tank cooperation, even at small unit level. Containing previously unpublished photographs and poignant first hand accounts, this book explores in superb detail daily life, duties and combat action. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 94- 1st printing. "Polish Winged Hussar 1576-1775!" Written by Richard Brzezinski. Art by Velimir Vuksic. The Polish hussar was, to quote one of many foreign visitors impressed by them, 'without doubt one of the most spectacular soldiers in the world'. Most dramatic of all hussar characteristics were the 'wings' worn on the back or on the saddle; their purpose has been hotly debated. The hussar's main offensive weapon was a 4-5 metre lance (kopia). This title takes a close look at the origins and development of the Polish 'winged' hussars, and using many years' painstaking research drawn from unpublished Polish sources, provides a rounded view of the training, tactics, appearance and experiences of these legendary and fascinating warriors. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 95- 1st printing. "Japanese Infantryman 1937-45!" Written by Gordon L Rottman. Art by Michael Welply. This book examines in detail the Japanese Infantryman who was, despite comparisons with the notorious German Waffen SS, an enigma to Westerners. Brutal in its treatment of prisoners as well as the inhabitants of the areas that it conquered, the Imperial Japanese Army also had exacting standards for its own men - strict codes of honor compelled Japanese soldiers to fight to the death against the more technologically advanced Allies. Identifying the ways in which the Japanese soldier differed from his Western counterpart, the author explores concepts such as Bushido, Seppuku, Shiki and Hakko Ichi-u in order to understand what motivated Japanese warriors. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Very Fine $7.00

Volume 96- 1st printing. "Carolingian Cavalryman AD 768-987 !" Written by David Nicolle. Art by Wayne Reynolds. The army of Charlemagne and his successors enabled the western Franks to recreate what contemporaries regarded as a 'reborn' western Roman empire. Frankish society was well prepared for war, with outstanding communications drawing together the disparate regions of a large empire. The role of mounted troops, the essential striking force of the Frankish army, is explored here. Alongside it was the impact that new technology, such as stirrups, had on warfare in this period. Illuminating a much-neglected area of history, this book shows how the role of cavalry grew in prestige, as the Carolingian armoured horseman gave way to the knight of the early 10th century. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 97- 1st printing. "French Warship Crews 1789-1805!" Written by Terry Crowdy. Art by Steve Noon. This book gives a detailed and authentic account of the life and experiences of French warship crews from the Revolution up to Trafalgar. It describes the recruitment and composition of crews, the different duties performed and the living conditions they had to endure at sea. Their experiences of fighting the British are covered in depth; from preparing the ship for action, to the violent discharges of heavy calibre guns, the often gruesome realities of sea warfare are revealed through pictures and contemporary testimonies. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 98- 1st printing. "US Army Infantryman in Vietnam 1965-73!" Written by Gordon L Rottman. Art by Kevin Lyles. This book tells the compelling story of the average US infantryman in Vietnam. Beginning with conscription, enlistment, Basic Training, and Advanced Individual Training at the Armed Forces Induction Center at Fort Polk (the infamous "Tigerland"), it goes on to explore the day-to-day realities of service in Vietnam, from routine tasks at the firebase to search-and-destroy missions, rocket attacks, and firefights in the field. Weaponry, clothing, and equipment are all described and shown in detailed color plates. A vivid picture of the unique culture and experiences of these soldiers emerges - from their vernacular to the prospect of returning to an indifferent, if not hostile, homeland. 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 99- 1st printing. "Kampfflieger: Bomber Crewman of the Luftwaffe 1939-45!" Written by Robert F Stedman. Art by Adam Hook. The Kampfflieger are relatively unknown within aviation circles, although many of them had careers as distinguished as those of their fighter-pilot counterparts. The men of the bomber crews did not enjoy the luxury of combat tours - they flew until they died or became unfit for combat duty. This book studies the attitudes, beliefs and motivation of the average crewman, following him through recruitment and training to experience on campaign in western Europe, Africa and the Russian front, detailing the exploits and trials of the famous Ju 87 'Stuka' dive-bomber crews and their own crucial part in Germany's war effort. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 100- 1st printing. "Nelson's Sailors!" Written by Gregory Fremont-Barnes. Art by Steve Noon. Drawing on many contemporary sources and eyewitness accounts, this book examines the lives of the ordinary sailors of the Royal Navy during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars (1793-1815), detailing their attitudes, duties, comforts, hardships, vices and virtues. The popular image of the British sailor of this time is of a press-ganged wretch living off weevil-infested food, motivated only by prize money and facing constant hazards aboard a floating hell, where discipline was maintained by the lash. The extent to which this enduring image accords with reality is revealed here. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Very Good $7.49

Volume 101- 1st printing. "Roman Auxiliary Cavalryman!" Written by Nic Fields. Art by Adam Hook. Drawn from a wide range of warlike peoples throughout the provinces, especially on the fringes of the empire, auxiliaries were generally not citizens of the Roman empire. The cavalry of the auxilia provided a powerful fighting arm; organized, disciplined and well trained, it was adept at performing both skirmish and shock action. This book details the many roles of the Roman auxiliary cavalryman, including reconnaissance, communication and policing duties, as well as in battle. Motivation for enlisting, conditions of service and experience of battle are all explored, and colour illustrations support the text. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 102- 1st printing. "The Hitler Youth 1933-45!" Written by Alan Dearn. Art by Elizabeth Sharp. A chilling and modern embodiment of the loss of innocence, the Hitler Youth movement transformed German children into adult Nazis entirely focused on Allied defeat. Despite not being itself a military formation - rather a movement that sought to inculcate Nazi ideology - paramilitary training did however form an important part of this education due to the Nazi veneration of the soldier as the epitome of Germanic manhood. Some members of the Bund Deutscher Mädel, the Hitler Youth organization for girls, even became combatants in the final stages of the war. Covering the range of a child's indoctrination, from ideology to training, this rare exploration of the Nazi culture provides the reader with a complete insight into the preliminary training of Germany's youth, and how they became directly involved in military service under the pressure of total war. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 103- 1st printing. "Macedonian Warrior!" Written by Waldemar Heckel and Ryan Jones. Art by Christa Hook. During the reigns of Philip II and Alexander the Great, the Macedonian Army - the phalangites - were reformed and drilled into an invincible fighting force with unique tactics and weaponry. The Macedonian warrior during his service would march over 20,000 miles in the most diverse climates and terrains, fighting in four of the epoch battles of the time. This book examines their initial training, rise to an elite unit under Alexander the Great, and eventual defeat at the battle of Pydna, 168 BC. The daily life, weaponry, experience, and motivations of these men are detailed, using primary sources and anecdotal material. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 104- 1st printing. "Tudor Knight!" Written by Christopher Gravett. Art by Graham Turner. The Tudor knight was the first line of defence employed by monarchs from Henry VIII to Elizabeth I, the last of a long tradition of knighthood dating back to the 11th century. Knighthood during the Tudor era saw reforms in recruitment, appearance, and most radically in training and equipment. This book details those changes, profiling the knight's appearance and dress, life on campaign, and experience of battle in France, Scotland and Ireland. It also explores the concept of chivalry, as sensationally enacted by Henry VIII and Francis I of France at the celebrated Field of Cloth of Gold near Calais, in 1520. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 105- 1st printing. "Native American Mounted Rifleman 1861-1865!" Written by Mark Lardas. Art by Jonathan Smith. Before the American Civil War most Native Americans or Indians lived in an area of the South known as the Five Civilized Nations. At the war's outbreak many of these Indians enlisted in the Confederate and Union armies, and were organized into regiments of mounted riflemen. They were motivated to protect their land and way of life, often fighting against their fellow Indians from other Tribes. This book explores these fascinating warriors, and their controversial actions in battles, such as Pea Ridge and Bird Creek, using contemporary sources to detail not only their battle experience but also their beliefs and views of the war. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 106 - 1st printing. "US Marine in Iraq: Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003!" Written by Richard S. Lowry. Art by Howard Gerrard . Operation Iraqi Freedom officially began on March 20, 2003 and has become one of the most controversial conflicts of modern warfare. Thousands of US Marines were deployed into Iraq in order to topple the dictatorship government and liberate the Iraqi people. This book examines the experience of those ordinary Marines who fought on the frontline of one of the major battles in the operation, the battle for An Nasiriyah. This title details the Marines' enlistment, levels of training and life in the Iraqi desert, as well as exploring their important role in the complex stabilization operations after their hard-won victories on the battlefield. US Marine in Iraq: Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003 offers a fascinating insight into the modern Marine Corps. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $7.00

Volume 108 - 1st printing. "Mau-Mau Warrior!" Written by Abiodun Alao. Art by Christa Hook. The Mau-Mau uprising (1952-60) remains a controversial conflict, waged by warriors about whom many myths have been formed, but little truth has been written. Condemned by history as a brutal rag-tag force engaged in oath-taking, cannibalism and witchcraft, the military activities of the Mau-Mau have long been overlooked. Although their skill, organization and unique motivation forced the British government to undertake the longest airlift in military history, and to deploy extensive force at a cost of almost £60 million, before it could claim victory. This book reveals the real men and women behind the Mau-Mau; the truth behind the oaths that bound them together; and how they became powerful. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 109- 1st printing. "US Marine Corps Raider 1942-43!" Written by Ed Gilbert. Art by Howard Gerrard. The US Marine Raider was an elite within an elite. Modeled on British Commandoes, they were the earliest forerunners of the various special operations units of the modern US military. These units would conduct operations with only the equipment they could carry on their backs; their heaviest weapons were light mortars and light machine-guns. Highly trained in close-in fighting, the Raiders were expected to be equally skilled in watercraft, jungle survival, and jungle warfare. This book details the Raiders' experiences through some of the toughest raining ever to be experienced by a Marine and onto combat during the Makin Raid, and through the horrific jungle battles of the Solomon Islands. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 110- 1st printing. "Hitler's Home Guard: Volkssturmmann!" Written by David K. Yelton. Art by Seán Ó'Brógáin. The creation of the Volkssturm on October 18, 1944 was a desperate measure by the Nazi government; all able-bodied males between the ages of 16 and 60 who were not already members of the German Armed Forces were conscripted into one organization. Poor equipment, lack of training and low morale took their toll on these men, who were unused to fighting and had little interest in needlessly dying just to prolong the Nazi regime. David K. Yelton follows the experience of a Volkssturmmann from his call-to-arms through to his capture and treatment as a POW, examining his reaction to the creation of the German Home Guard and his response to the fighting into which he was thrust. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 111- 1st printing. "The Hun!" Written by Nic Fields. Art by Christa Hook. The Huns were the most feared barbarians of the Ancient world, known to their Roman enemies as the 'scourge of god'. Superb horsemen and excellent archers, they fought with a reflex composite-bow that could penetrate armour at 100 metres. In battle they would rush into the fray with surprising speed and apparent chaos, maintaining an incessant barrage until the enemy was sufficiently weakened; thus their very name came to epitomise swift, merciless destruction. This book explores the rise of the Huns and their development in terms of equipment, tactics and society, from their first attacks on the Goths to the death of the Emperor Justinian, including the great battle of Chalons and the reign of Attila. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 112- 1st printing. "US Marine Rifleman 1939-45!" Written by Gordon L Rottman. Art by Howard Gerrard. The Marine Corps began World War II with less than 66,000 officers and men. Yet despite suffering 10 per cent of the overall American casualties, the Marines were able to build on their proud traditions and history to transform a small branch of service into a premier combined arms amphibious assault force. Regardless of its expansion by 750 percent, the Corps was able to maintain its sense of tradition, instill that into thousands of new Marines, and create an elite arm of service. In this book, Gordon Rottman, follows a Marine Corps rifleman through his draft, training and participation in assaults such as: Roi-Namur in the Marshall Islands, Saipan and Tinian in the Mariana Islands, and Iwo Jima. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 113- 1st printing. "US Army Soldier!" Written by Kenneth W Estes. Art by Howard Gerrard. In April 2003, after brief combat, Baghdad fell under US control and the Coalition Provisional Authority was formed to maintain order until a new Iraqi government became a reality. This book details the stabilization operations and the experiences of US Task Force 1st Armored Division (TF 1AD), whose soldiers lived and fought under extreme conditions and whose activities were center stage in the controversial debate surrounding the initial occupation of Iraq. Soldiers' personal experiences from recruitment, training, and armed combat to their aftermath and effects emerge from interviews and new documentation by author Kenneth W. Estes in his account of this crucial military campaign. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 114- 1st printing. "African American Soldier in the Civil War!" Written by Mark Lardas. Art by Peter Dennis. Approximately 200,000 African Americans fought for the Union during the Civil War. Initially, many white soldiers doubted their bravery and skill; they were soon proved wrong. The United States Colored Troops performed countless acts of courage, most famously at the battle of Fort Wagner where the 54th Massachusetts marched forth and scaled the parapets, only to be driven back in fierce hand-to-hand combat. Through fascinating first-hand accounts, this title examines the journey of the African American from slave to soldier to free man, ultimately providing a fascinating insight into the impact that these brave men had on the war and how it influenced their lives thereafter. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 115- 1st printing. "Condottiere 1300-1500!" Written by David Murphy. Art by Graham Turner. Originally contracted by wealthy Italian city states to protect their assets during a time of ceaseless warring, many condottieri of the Italian peninsula became famous for their wealth, venality and amorality during the 14th and 15th centuries. Some even came to rule cities themselves. Lavishly illustrated with contemporary depictions and original artwork, this title examines the complex military organization, recruitment, training and weaponry of the Condottieri. With insight into their origins and motivations, the author, Dr David Murphy, brings together the social, political and military history of these powerful and unscrupulous men who managed to influence Italian society and warfare for over two centuries. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 116- 1st printing. "Viet Cong Fighter!" Written by Gordon L Rottman. Art by Howard Gerrard. An enemy in the shadows, the Viet Cong was the military arm of the National Liberation Front, the Communist Party of the Republic of Vietnam. Often working with the North Vietnamese Army, they were a constant factor amid the rice paddies and battlefields throughout the war. Despite fighting an enemy with overwhelming firepower and resources, they ingeniously made use of the local environment and resources to wage war. Gordon L Rottman uses rare photographs and artwork to paint vivid portraits of these determined guerrilla warriors, discussing their initial training, their unique motivation, extensive political and psychological indoctrination, and the brutal reality of combat experience. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Add to cart Very Fine $7.00

Volume 117- 1st printing. "French Resistance Fighter!" Written by Terry Crowdy. Art by Steve Noon. Working as an underground force, the French Resistance was initially formed spontaneously from scattered groups of the displaced and discontent. As the war progressed the Resistance developed into a secret army, terrorizing the occupying forces and would-be collaborators alike although they were unprotected by the Geneva Convention and faced torture and execution if captured. Striking photographs, coupled with first-hand accounts of capture and its terrible consequences, create an engaging and human history of the French Resistance fighter. Terry Crowdy details the military achievements, tactics, backgrounds and motivations of the patriots whose assistance helped ensure the success of the D-Day landings and French liberation. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 118- 1st printing. "Byzantine Infantryman!" Written by Timothy Dawson. Art by Angus McBride. The Byzantine Army was the closest the middle ages came to producing a military superpower. Built on a strong belief system emphasising stealth, surprise, swift manoeuvre and overwhelming force, the Byzantine infantryman was trained in survival, sword, spear and archery techniques and also land and sea combat and fighting within the foulkon 'turtle' formation. Timothy Dawson, an expert in the training and techniques of the Byzantine Army, details the everyday experience of the infantryman from his recruitment, through his twice-a-day training regime to his encounters with his enemies. Full-colour artwork richly illustrates their incredible warrior society and gives a real insight into how they lived. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 120- 1st printing. "Hittite Warrior!" Written by Trevor Bryce. Art by Adam Hook. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 121- 1st printing. "Soldier of the Pharaoh!" Written by Nic Fields. Art by Peter Bull. Mythical in their own time, the power and status of the Pharaohs of Egypt have remained so through the millennia. In this book, Nic Fields explores the lives of the ordinary soldiers who sustained Middle Kingdom Egypt. Using rare artefacts he reconstructs the day-to-day existence of the Pharaoh's army from archers to hand-to-hand fighters, through to the 'sole-companions' of the Pharaoh. Quoting from ancient sources he narrates sea and land battles in dramatic detail, all the while providing the reader with a rare insight into the minutiae of the soldier's life, from the food he ate to the gods he worshipped. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 123- 1st printing. "Soviet Rifleman 1941-45!" Written by Gordon L Rottman. Art by Howard Gerrard. The Soviet rifleman, or Frontovik, initially suffered defeats and retreat during the early desperate days of the war, then resolved a stubborn defence during the brutal winter of 1941-42, eventually turning the tables at the battles of Stalingrad and Kursk, before victoriously marching into Germany. This title provides a view of the Soviet rifleman in defeat and victory, on the defensive and in the attack both in the heat of the summer, and the frozen brutality of the Russian winter. Their political beliefs, motivation, training, everyday life, weaponry and equipment are examined here, accompanied by rare photographs and full-color artwork. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 124- 1st printing. "Teutonic Knight!" Written by David Nicolle. Art by Graham Turner. The Military Order of Teutonic Knights was one of the three most famous Crusading Orders, on a par with the Templars and the Hospitallers. Originally focusing on the preservation of the Crusader States in the Middle East, after the loss of their Middle Eastern enclaves in the 13th century, the Knights turned their attention to the Baltic. Over the next two centuries Northern Crusades were conducted against pagan Prussians and Lithuanians and, to a lesser extent, against Orthodox Russia. This title uses detailed illustrations and photographs to bring to life the appearance, beliefs and battle experience of the Teutonic Knights. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 125- 1st printing. "Pirate of the Far East!". Written by Stephen Turnbull. Art by Richard Hook. Feared throughout the Far East, Japanese pirates were likened to 'black demons' and 'flood dragons'. For centuries relations between Japan, Korea and China were carried out through a bizarre trinity of war, trade and piracy. The piracy, which combined the other elements in a violent blend of free enterprise, is the subject of this original and exciting book. Stephen Turnbull vividly recreates the pirates' daily lives, from legitimate whaling and fishing trips to violent raids. He explores the bases and castles used by the pirates and uses eyewitness accounts and original artwork to give stunning descriptions of a vicious and brutal life. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.