Osprey Warrior Series SC (1993-2011 OSPREY) comic books 2007-2009

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.

Add to cart Near Mint $8.00

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 $8.00

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 $8.00

Add to cart Near Mint $8.00

Add to cart Very Fine $6.00

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.

Add to cart Near Mint $8.00

Add to cart Near Mint $8.00

Volume 119- 1st printing. "American Bomber Crewman 1941-45!" Written by Gregory Fremont-Barnes. Art by Seán Ó'Brógáin. Gregory Fremont-Barnes examines the lives of the American Bomber Crewmen of the Eighth Air Force, 'The Mighty Eighth', who manned, maintained and repaired the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses and the B-24 Liberators that flew from the airfields of England. He highlights the physical and psychological strain placed on these men, who required brute strength to control the aircraft on long bombing missions and extraordinary endurance to fly for hours at 20,000 feet at temperatures below freezing in unpressurised cabins. In addition to this, with Luftwaffe fighters and anti-aircraft fire to contend with, it required incredible skill and some luck to return from a mission unscathed. This book is a fitting tribute to these often uncelebrated heroes who took the war deep into the Third Reich, as well as a fascinating historical account of their experiences. 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 $8.00

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 122- 1st printing. "Jagdflieger: Luftwaffe Fighter Pilot 1939-45!" Written by Robert F Stedman. Art by Karl Kopinski. Over the years much has been written about Luftwaffe aces, but this book seeks to examine the lives of the ordinary men who took to the skies. These men all shared the same "aggressive spirit, joy of action and the passion of a hunter." Rich with fascinating first-hand accounts exploring every step of the fighter pilot's career from his enlistment and intensive training to his exploits in the Battle of Britain and on the Eastern Front, this book is an invaluable insight into the life of a Luftwaffe fighter pilot. 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.

Volume 126- 1st printing. "Highlander in the French-Indian War!" Written by Ian MacPherson McCulloch. Art by Steve Noon. Colonial American historian Ian Macpherson McCulloch uses rare sources to bring to life the stirring story of the three Scottish Highland regiments that operated in North America during the French-Indian War. Forbidden to carry arms or wear the kilt unless they served the British King, many former Jacobite rebels joined the new Highland regiments raised in North America. Involved in some of the most bloody and desperate battles fought on the American continent, Highlanders successfully transformed their image from enemies of the crown to Imperial heroes, showing their bravery and determination at major battles like Ticonderoga and Quebec. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Very Fine $6.00

Volume 127- 1st printing. "Native American Code Talker in World War II!" Written by Ed Gilbert. Art by Raffaele Ruggeri. 'Were it not for the Navajo Code Talkers the Marines would never have taken Iwo Jima and other places' (Anonymous, Marine Corps signal officer). Ed Gilbert uses personal interviews with veterans to tell their fascinating story. Beginning with the first operational use of Native American languages in World War I, he explores how in World War II the US again came to employ this subtle, but powerful 'weapon.' Despite all efforts, the Japanese were never able to decode their messages and the Navajo code talkers contributed significantly to US victories in the Pacific. Approximately 400 Navajos served in this crucial role. Their legend of the 'code talker' has been celebrated by Hollywood in films, such as Windtalkers, and this book reveals the real-life story of their extraordinary involvement in World War II. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 128- 1st printing. "US Helicopter Pilot in Vietnam!" Written by Gordon L Rottman. Art by Steve Noon. The helicopter changed war forever. This book examines the range of duties helicopter pilots carried out in Vietnam, from air-lift, med-evac and fire-support to landing in high volume crossfires in 'Hot LZs'. Protected by little more than an armoured seat, operating in terrible conditions and flying long hours these brave men led hard, dangerous lives, and casualties were high. Following these pilots from initial deployment through to the deadly thrill of combat in a war zone, Vietnam veteran Gordon L Rottman's book is a crucial examination of the pilots who fought so valiantly for their country. Often unmoved by the politics of the war, conflicts at home and other social issues, the Vietnam helicopter pilots just wanted to fly. As the saying went 'who needs drugs, I'm already high'. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 129- 1st printing. "Frontier Militiaman in the War of 1812!" Written by Ed Gilbert. Art by Adam Hook. The great military effectiveness of semitrained local militia is one of the enduring myths of American military history. In this book Ed Gilbert reveals the truth behind this myth, shedding light on who these frontier men actually were and their role in the war of 1812. He chronicles how untrained and ineffective militia forces were transformed into a formidable fighting force through hard campaigning, fierce combat, and Andrew Jackson's equally fierce discipline. Contemporary illustrations and artwork depict the rough life on campaign, the uniforms worn by the militia, and how they fought and won crucial battles against Creek forces before inflicting a stunning defeat on the British Army in 1815, opening up the frontier for the new nation. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 130- 1st printing. "Tarentine Horseman of Magna Graecia!" Written by Nic Fields. Art by Seán Ó'Brógáin. The Taras were the leading power of the scattered Greek states of southern Italy and built their reputation on the unmatched horse warriors who helped the Taras claim and maintain their power. In this book, expert author Nic Fields examines the Tarentine horsemen in detail, discussing their tactics, weapons and equipment and detailing how they operated as mercenaries throughout the region. With a wealth of contemporary sources and rare artefacts, illustrated with specially commissioned colour artwork and photographs of artefacts, this is an intriguing insight into the everyday lives of these horsemen, revealing how they acquired the skills that enabled them to dominate the region. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 131- 1st printing. "Nelson's Officers and Midshipmen!" Written by Gregory Fremont-Barnes. Art by Steve Noon. Filled with the promise of adventure and glory, the Royal Navy of the Napoleonic era enticed hundreds of young men to enlist as officers in its bitter struggle against the French fleet. With some as young as nine, these boys were confronted with the harsh realities of warfare at sea: cramped conditions, ruthless storms and fierce combat. In spite of their youth, these sailors showed enormous courage and valour in the face of battle, their bravery immortalised in the literary works of Patrick O'Brian, C. S. Forester and Alexander Kent. Drawing from letters, poems and personal accounts, this book uncovers the remarkable story of those boys who fought aboard His Majesty's mighty ships-of-the-line to defend their kingdom against the French. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 132- 1st printing. "US Army Long-Range Patrol Scout in Vietnam 1965-71!" Written by Gordon L Rottman. Art by Adam Hook. The Vietnamese knew the Long-Range Patrol Scouts as "the men with green faces," a reference to the camouflage paint that they used. Operating in patrols of four to six men these men were like ghosts - scouting far behind enemy lines. This book examines the Long-Range Patrol Scout's superior stealth movement techniques, camouflage and concealment, tracking, counter-tracking, observation, and other fieldcraft skills. It also examines the occasions they participated in small-scale direct actions including ambushes and raids. Written by a Special Forces' Vietnam veteran, this book not only depicts the remarkable lives of these scouts when on campaign, but also details the training and conditioning that it took to become one of these shadow warriors. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 133- 1st printing. "SOE Agent!" Written by Terry Crowdy. Art by Steve Noon. On average a Special Operations Executive (SOE) agent would be dead within three months of being parachuted into action. Terry Crowdy tells the extraordinary story of these agents, some of whom were women as young as 22, following them through their experiences beginning with their recruitment and their unorthodox training methods, which included hand-to-hand combat and parachuting. Packed with photographs and full-colour artwork, this book recounts the incredible combat missions of the SOE agents from their role in the attacks on a heavy water plant in Norway, to operations in the field with Yugoslav and Greek partisans, as well as sabotage missions ranging from blowing up bridges to the raising of full-scale partisan armies as they attempted to fulfill Churchill's directive to set occupied Europe ablaze. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 134- 1st printing. "French Poilu 1914-18!" Written by Ian Sumner. Art by Giuseppe Rava. During World War One the French Army was in a state of disarray, plagued by indiscipline, mutinies and desertion. The ordinary French citizens that were called upon to defend their motherland - the Poilu - were disrespected and demoralized, and the infamous mutinies of 1917 by the Poilu were not protests against the war itself, but against how the war was conducted. Ian Sumner expertly charts the history of the Poilu, from the conscription of hundreds of thousands of men, through their training, to the horrors of the trenches and the fear of no man's land. Accompanied by new artwork and diagrams, this book provides a fascinating insight into the experiences of ordinary Frenchman called upon to defend their motherland. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 135- 1st printing. "North Vietnamese Army Soldier 1958-75!" Written by Gordon L Rottman. Art by Brian Delf. Commonly mistaken for the locally raised Viet Cong, the NVA was an entirely different force, conducting large-scale operations in a conventional war. Despite limited armour, artillery and air support, the NVA were an extremely politicized and professional force with strict control measures and leadership concepts. Gordon Rottman follows the fascinating life of the highly motivated infantryman from conscription and induction through training to real combat experiences. Covering the evolution of the forces from 1958 onwards, this book takes an in-depth look at the civilian and military lives of the soldiers, whilst accompanying artwork details the uniforms, weapons and equipment used by the NVA in their clash against America and her allies. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 136- 1st printing. "Chindit 1942-45!" Written by Tim Moreman. Art by Peter Dennis. The Chindits were a specially organised, equipped and trained body of men employing innovative fighting methods based on ideas originally developed by Major-General Orde Wingate. Raised to fight deep behind Japanese lines in the Burmese Jungle in World War II, their contribution to the Allied cause remains controversial to this day. Accompanied by full-colour illustrations this book describes the origins of this elite formation, detailing their recruitment, training and specialist fighting methods, and reveals the distinctive dress, equipment and weapons used, as well as the immense hardships suffered by the officers and men involved. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Very Good $7.49

Volume 137- 1st printing. "Royal Marine Commando 1950-82!" Written by Will Fowler. Art by Raffaele Ruggeri. One of the most prestigious and versatile units of the British armed forces, the Royal Marine Commandos served in many theatres worldwide, performing a number of conventional and specialised roles. During the period covered in this account, conscription to the Royal Marines came to an end and the unit became a professional and dedicated force, with a tough recruitment programme and a focus on teamwork. This book provides a detailed look at the service life of a Royal Marine Commando in a time of great change, exploring the developments that took place in recruitment, training, equipment, weaponry, dress and tactical deployment in the post-World War II period. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 138- 1st printing. "Roosevelt's Rough Riders!" Written by Alejandro de Quesada. Art by Stephen Walsh. This book examines the brief but colorful history of the 1st US Volunteer Cavalry, and details the rich experiences of the men who fought in its ranks. Founded in May 1898 after the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, the unit was composed of volunteers from all walks of American life. Posted to Cuba, it fought in the battles of Las Guasimas, Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill. At this time, Theodore Roosevelt assumed command, and the unit became known as 'Roosevelt's Rough Riders'. Eventually withdrawn, the men returned to a hero's welcome in the US. The last veteran of the unit died in 1975, but a rich body of source material has survived, and much of this is covered in this fascinating work. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 139- 1st printing. "Byzantine Cavalryman c.900-1204!" Written by Timothy Dawson. Art by Giuseppe Rava. Regarded as the elite arm of the military during the Middle Byzantine period, the cavalry executed high speed reconnaissance, agile arrow barrages and crippling blows to enemy formations. Its ranks were filled primarily through direct recruitment or hereditary service by holders of military lands, but in times of crisis irregulars would be temporarily enlisted. Few books provide any accessible study of the medieval Romaic soldier's life, and this colourful addition to the Warrior series seeks to redress this imbalance. Offering a thorough and detailed examination of their training, weaponry, dress and daily life, this book re-affirms the importance of cavalry troops in military victories of the period. Making use of original Greek source material, and featuring unpublished manuscript images, this follow-on volume to Warrior 118 Byzantine Infantryman c.900-1204 brings the world of the Byzantine cavalryman vividly to life. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 140- 1st printing. "US Mechanized Infantryman in the First Gulf War!" Written by Gordon L Rottman. Art by Adam Hook. In many ways the end of the Vietnam War left the US army a spent force. Plagued by low morale, drug and race issues, and terrible public relations, the army faced an uphill climb in the effort to rebuild itself. The story of this reconstruction is mirrored in the rise of the Mechanized Infantryman. Deciding that the key to future conflict lay in highly trained and mobile warriors that could be delivered quickly to battle, the army adopted the mechanized infantryman as its frontline troops. This new, all volunteer force was given the best training and equipment. Most notably, they were to be deployed onto the battlefield from the new M2 Bradley Armoured Fighting Vehicle. This new breed of American warriors got their first test in the First Gulf War. Fighting in the deserts of Kuwait and Iraq, these soldiers proved that the US Army was once again a force with which to be reckoned. This book tells the story of the rise of the US mechanised infantryman, focusing on his recruitment, training, lifestyle and combat experiences in Iraq. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 141- 1st printing. "Merrill's Marauders!" Written by Edward Young. Art by Adam Hook. Merrill's Marauders were the first American Army infantry unit to fight in the China-Burma-India theatre, and one of the most renowned units to come out of World War II. The Marauders established a lasting reputation for hard fighting and tenacity in the face of adversity, combating a determined enemy, some of the most difficult and disease-ridden terrain in the world, and a seemingly indifferent higher command. Pushed beyond the limit of their endurance, at the end of nearly six months of operations behind Japanese lines, the remaining Marauders were withdrawn from combat after suffering over 90% casualties. Because of its courageous actions, the unit received the very rare honour of having every member presented with a Bronze Star for gallantry. This book explores the creation, training and combat experiences of the Marauders, one of the most famous units in the US Army's roll of honour. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 142- 1st printing. "Blue Division Soldier 1941-45!" Written by Carlos Caballero Jurado. Art by Ramiro Bujeiro. The all-volunteer 'Blue Division' was a formation that allowed Franco's technically neutral Spain to support Nazi Germany's invasion of Russia. Following initial training in Germany, the Blue Division's units were sent to the Eastern Front in August 1941, where, after a 40-day march to the front, the Division fought in several major actions including Leningrad. In 1943, with the tide turning against the Axis forces in Russia, the Division was ordered to be withdrawn, yet many men chose to stay on and serve with the Volunteer Legion. Even after the collapse in the East, some volunteered to serve with Waffen-SS units through to the fall of Berlin in 1945. This book narrates the experiences of the common soldier, exploring his motivation for serving the Wehrmacht, and detailing his dramatic experiences in a brutal and hostile theatre of World War II. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $18.95.