Osprey Men-at-Arms Series SC (1973-2011 OSPREY) comic books 1974-1976

Volume 24 - 2nd and later printings. "The Panzer Divisions!" Art by Richard Hook. For the first three years of the Second World War the German Army's armoured formations dominated the world's battlefields. During this period the Panzerwaffe swept away all that was before them, achieving victories over numerically superior and sometimes better equipped opponents. This remarkable book by Martin Windrow deals with one of the German Army's most effective and feared rapid attack forces, including a summary of every Panzer division's war record and an extensive examination of uniforms, equipment and decorations. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 36 - 1st printing. "The Army of Northern Virginia!" Written by Philip Katcher. Art by Michael Youens. On the 27 June, 1862, with the American Civil War already a year old, General Robert E. Lee assumed personal command of troops engaged in driving the Federal Army of the Potomac out of Richmond – troops which would henceforth be known as The Army of Northern Virginia. Philip Katcher explores in absorbing detail all aspects of the army, including infantry, cavalry, artillery, technical and medical corps, paying particular attention to equipment, weapons and uniforms. Contemporary and museum photographs, together with the author's expert text, combine to a paint a vivid and accurate picture of what life was like for the average confederate soldier. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 37 - 1st printing. "The Army of Northern Virginia!" Written by Philip Katcher. Art by Michael Youens. On the 27 June, 1862, with the American Civil War already a year old, General Robert E. Lee assumed personal command of troops engaged in driving the Federal Army of the Potomac out of Richmond – troops which would henceforth be known as The Army of Northern Virginia. Philip Katcher explores in absorbing detail all aspects of the army, including infantry, cavalry, artillery, technical and medical corps, paying particular attention to equipment, weapons and uniforms. Contemporary and museum photographs, together with the author's expert text, combine to a paint a vivid and accurate picture of what life was like for the average confederate soldier. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 38 - 1st printing. "Army of the Potomac!" Written by Philip Katcher. Art by Michael Youens. For General George B. McClellan, the dejected Union troops who poured into Washington fresh from defeat at Bull Run on Monday 22 July, 1861, were to provide the raw material which he would train, equip, organise and ultimately transform from a mere mob into an effective fighting force. In October 1861 the Army of the Potomac officially came into being. This entertaining volume from the same team of author Philip Katcher and artist Michael Youens who produced Men-at-Arms 37 The Army of Northern Virginia, explores how this transition came about, with a particular emphasis on weapons, uniforms and equipment. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 39 - 1st printing. "The British Army in North America 1775–83!" Written by Robin May. Art by Gerry Embleton. For sheer guts, the Redcoats' behaviour at Bunker Hill, Saratoga and other bloody encounters has rarely been surpassed. The Americans won, but only just, and then thanks to foreign intervention and a small number of dedicated and valiant patriots who were continually let down by their own people. Robin May's splendid work looks at the British Army that fought in the American Revolution from 1775 to1783. It details the soldiers who faced the difficulties of campaigning in America along with the gross inefficiency and corruption at home which, along with their generals' often blundering conduct, were as deadly enemies as the Americans. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 40 - 1st printing. "The British Army of the Crimea!" Written by J.B.R. Nicholson. Art by Michael Roffe. The British Army's involvement in the Crimean War of 1854-56 is often remembered only for the ill-advised 'charge of the Light Brigade' during the battle of Sevastopol as memorialized in Tennyson's poem. Nevertheless, the British Army, together with the French and Turkish armies, posed a formidable threat to Russia's expansionist ambitions. This book examines the uniforms of the various branches of the British Army involved in the conflict, including general officers and staff, artillery, infantry and the most colourful branch of all - the cavalry. Numerous illustrations, including rare contemporary photographs depict the army's uniforms in vivid detail. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $3.95.

Volume 41 - 1st printing. "The Gurkha Rifles!" Written by J.B.R. Nicholson. Art by Michael Roffe. The Gurkhas have a long and distinguished service record. This book examines the uniforms, equipment, history and organisation of the Gurkha rifles. It traces the 19th origins of the now famous Gurkha regiments and also covers their service history during the Great Mutiny and the 3rd Afghan War. During the two World Wars the Gurhah rifles performed countless tours of duty and their regimental battle honours listed in the book bear testimony to their extensive service. A series of full colour illustrations accompany the text. Softcover, 40 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 42 - 1st printing. "The King's German Legion!" Written by Otto von Pivka. Art by Michael Roffe. The King's German Legion was the largest and most respected of the foreign corps which fought as integrated elements of the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars. The light and heavy cavalry, light and line infantry, and horse and foot artillery of the KGL made major contributions to Wellington's victories during the Peninsular War, and several units covered themselves with glory at Waterloo. This book offers a comprehensive overview of the KGL from its origins to its disbandment, including its uniforms, weapons, flags and standards. Meticulous illustrations offer unprecedented details of this impressive fighting force. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 43 - 1st printing. "Napoleon's German Allies (2)!" Written by Otto von Pivka. Art by Gerry Embleton. On 14 October 1808, Napoleon persuaded Herzog Peter Friedrich Ludwig of Oldenburg to join the Confederation of the Rhine by the Treaty of Erfurt – the military contingent to be maintained by the duchy was set at an infantry battalion of 800 men in six companies. Similarly, Friedrich August, Herzog of Nassau, was charged, under the terms of the treaty with co-ordinating and organising the military efforts of all the tiny states of its neighbours. In this fine addition to Osprey's Men-at-Arms series, Otto Von Pivka details the campaign history and uniforms of Napoleon's Nassau and Oldenburg allied troops. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 45 - 1st printing. "Napoleon's Polish Troops!" Written by Otto von Pivka. Art by Michael Roffe. In 1795 the kingdom of Poland fell prey to her stronger neighbours, Russia, Prussia and Austria. Following the death of the king of Poland in 1798, his kingdom was divided among these three neighbouring powers. France became increasingly involved, and protested at Poland's treatment, offering refuge for Polish exiles. On 11 October 1796 the Polish Legion was formed in the French army by General Dombrowski and Napoleon. This book covers the uniforms, dress, organisation and equipment of the infantry, artillery, and cavalry of Napoleon's Polish Troops. Among the cavalry units covered are the Chasseurs and Lancers. This title also provides a summary of the Polish divisions' campaigns in Spain, Russia and within Poland itself. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 46 - 1st printing. "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 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.

Volume 47 - 1st printing. "The South Wales Borderers!" Written by Christopher Wilkinson-Latham. Art by Michael Roffe. This book examines the uniforms, equipment, history and organisation of the South Wales Borderers, from Marlborough's Wars through to World War 2. The regiment's service in the Napoleonic wars, the Zulu War and in India are all covered. Uniforms are shown in full illustrated detail. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 48 - 1st printing. "Wolfe's Army!" Written by Robin May. Art by Gerry Embleton. The British victory at Quebec in 1759 was a landmark in the history of North America. In this 'year of miracles', according to Horace Walpole, one could 'never afford to miss a single copy of a newspaper for fear of missing a British victory somewhere'. Of all the pivotal figures in the Seven Years' War, a cast which included George Washington, Sir William Johnson, Lord Howe and Montcalm, Major-General Wolfe remains etched most deeply in Americans' memories for his heroic leadership at Quebec. Enhanced by illustrations and photographs, this book focuses on the British forces throughout their disastrous and triumphant wilderness campaigns which ultimately ensured the birth of the English-speaking United States of America. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 50 - 1st printing. "Medieval European Armies!" Written by Terence Wise. Art by Gerry Embleton. Almost continual warfare raged in Europe during the period 1300-1500. These wars were the furnaces in which many of the modern European nations were forged. Parallel with this emergence of the nations came the development of national armies to protect the newly-won borders and independence, yet throughout this period the old feudal method of raising an army persisted. This fascinating study by Terence Wise explores the organisation, weapons and equipment of the armies who fought across medieval Europe, from the Hundred Years War to the fight against the Moors in Spain and the French invasion of Italy. Softcover, 50 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 51 - 1st printing. "Spanish Armies of the Napoleonic Wars!" Written by Otto von Pivka. Art by Michael Roffe. Despite Napoleon's clear advantage in the Peninsular War, the Spanish Army was never completely destroyed. Wrought by poor leadership and insufficient training, Spain's armies persisted in the fight against imperial France. This book gives an overview of Spain's confused position during the Napoleonic Era, caught between the competing interests of Britain and France. The book focuses primarily on the uniforms of the Spanish Army in the period before 1808 and during the war years as the Army of King Joseph, as well as the infantry uniforms of 1814-15. Numerous illustrations and eight colour plates vividly depict the uniforms of this often-underestimated force. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 52 - 1st printing. "The Royal Green Jackets!" Written by Christopher Wilkinson-Latham. Art by Michael Roffe. The Royal Green Jackets are widely acknowledged as innovators who developed much of the thinking of the British infantry in the fields of tactics and training, mobility and marksmanship, equipment, management and individual initiative from the 18th century onwards. They were the first to wear green uniforms as camouflage rather than red and to fire the more accurate rifle instead of muskets. This book examines the history of the component regiments of the Royal Green Jackets and describes the action of individual regiments in the Napoleonic Wars, Boer War, and World Wars. Numerous illustrations and photographs depict the Green Jackets' uniforms in vivid detail. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 53 - 1st printing. "Rommel's Desert Army!" Written by Martin Windrow. Art by Michael Roffe. The desert war produced commanders of dash and originality on both sides and the memory of the German commanding general, Erwin Rommel, has endured as the epitome of skill, daring and soldierly integrity. His victories were brilliant until he was bested by poor health, lack of reinforcements and an opposing commander who was his equal. The contribution of his various troops is detailed in a full order of battle which includes his veteran Afrika Korps and Italian allies, and their uniforms are shown in full colour arwork. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 54 - 1st printing. "Napoleon's Artillery!" Written by Robert Wilkinson-Latham. Art by Michael Roffe. At the end of the Royalist regime, the artillery arm of the French Army was, as Napoleon was later to declare, 'the finest and best composed corps in Europe.' Designed by the great master of artillery, Jean Baptiste de Gribeauval, the equipment consisted of some of the best pieces in Europe. This book examines the equipment and performance of Napoleon's artillery in the Revolutionary Wars, Napoleonic Wars and Waterloo campaign. The organization of the Imperial Army is also covered, including the key French failure to develop 'Shrapnel' or 'spherical case shot' - a weapon used against them to great effect by the British. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 55 - 1st printing. "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.

Volume 56 - 1st printing. "The Mexican-American War 1846–48!" Written by Philip Katcher. Art by Gerry Embleton. ‘There never was so fine an American army,' wrote second-lieutenant, John Sedgwick, in describing the troops under Major-General Zachary Taylor in 1846. Another then second-lieutenant, destined to see many more armies; U.S. Grant, also thought highly of them: ‘The rank and file were probably inferior ... to the volunteers that participated in all the later battles of the war; but they were brave men, and then drill and discipline brought out all there was in them.' Philip Katcher writes the story of the regulars and volunteers who fought in the Mexican-American War, detailing the infantry, cavalry, artillery and staff of both the American and Mexican armies. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 57 - 1st printing. "The Zulu War!" Art by Angus McBride. By the end of the nineteenth century the fame of the Zulu was world-wide, and their army was one of the few non-European military organisations to have become the subject of serious historical study. Their very name is still synonymous with bravery, discipline and military skill. This excellent addition to Osprey's Men-at-Arms series tells the story of the Zulu's at war, from their rise to unrivalled power under the fearsome Shaka to the final devastating defeat against the British at Ulundi, detailing Zulu weapons and tactics, and the famous battles in which they fought. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 58 - 1st printing. "The Landsknechts!" Written by Douglas Miller. Art by Gerry Embleton. The Landsknechts were German mercenaries who served during the reigns of Maximilian I and Charles V in the sixteenth century. Having signed up, these Landsknechts were read a very detailed code of conduct, organised into companies, paid one month in advance, and sent into battle! Their major weapon was the pike, which could be up to 18 feet in length, but those whose duty it was to advance in the front line carried instead the fearsome Zweihänder; an enormous battle-sword around 66 inches in length! Douglas Miller describes in detail the organisation, tactics, weapons, uniforms and history of these remarkable soldiers. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 59 - 1st printing. "The Sudan Campaigns 1881–98!" Written by Robert Wilkinson-Latham. Art by Michael Roffe. In the Sudan in 1881 an obscure son of a carpenter pronounced himself the ‘Mahdi' or ‘Guided One of the Prophet', the long-expected Messiah of the Islamic faith. His influence was so strong that Egypt (co-ruled by Britain and France) was plunged into war. Robert Wilkinson-Latham provides an absorbing account of the Sudan campaigns, including the siege of Khartoum, the unpredictable General Charles Gordon, and the Nile Expedition. The author details the organisation and fortunes of all forces involved, painting a fascinating picture of the place and its peoples from 1881–98. Softcover, 50 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 60 - 1st printing. "Scandinavian Armies in the Napoleonic Wars!" Written by Jack Cassin-Scott. Art by Michael Roffe. By 1807 Napoleon--well aware of the strategic importance of the Scandinavian nations--was convinced that he must incorporate both Denmark and Norway into his Continental System, either by aggressive diplomacy or by naked force. Having claimed neutrality to sustain its trading links, Scandinavia found itself pitted between two power-hungry nations: Britain and France. This book details the Scandinavian armies involved in the Napoleonic Wars, beginning with the siege of Copenhagen in 1807, to the fall of Denmark and the invasion of Norway in 1813. The text is accompanied by colour plates detailing the uniforms and equipment of the Scandinavian armies. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.