Osprey Men-at-Arms Series SC (1973-2011 OSPREY) comic books 1979

Volume 28 - 1st printing. "The Russian Army of the Napoleonic Wars!" Written by Albert Seaton. Art by Michael Youens. This book recounts the development of a standing Russian army from the end of the 16th century to the million strong force that resisted Napoleon. The Russians were heavily defeated at the battle of Austerliz but in the Armistice period that followed the Russians regrouped and several improvements were made. In1812 when Napoleon invaded this new army was protected at the cost of Moscow . The Russians faced Napoleon for the last time at the Battle of Leizig where together with their allies they inflicted a severe defeat. These battles are discussed in full and are accompanied by several contemporary illustrations. Eight colour plates accompany the text to show the uniforms and equipment used by the Rusian soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 85 - 1st printing. "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.

Volume 86 - 1st printing. "Samurai Armies 1550–1615!" Written by Stephen Turnbull. Art by Richard Hook. In 1543 three Portuguese merchants entered a turbulent Japan, bringing with them the first firearms the Japanese had ever seen: simple matchlock muskets called arquebuses. They proved a decisive addition to the Japanese armoury, as for centuries the samurai had fought only with bow, sword and spear. In 1575, one of the greatest original thinkers in the history of samurai, Oda Nobunaga, arranged his arquebusiers in ranks three deep behind a palisade and proceeded, quite literally, to blow his opponent's cavalry to pieces, marking the beginning of a new era in Japanese military history. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 87 - 1st printing. "Napoleon's Marshals!" Written by Emir Bukhari. Art by Chris Warner. Much has been made of Napoleon's Marshals' personal rivalries, jealousies, greed and lust for power. They had every soldier's vices and virtues; the were glory-seeking, self-aggrandising and envious of social status. Napoleon's method of command was such that he expected his marshals to obey, not initiate; and he slowly set out to ensure that his senior officers became merely blind agents who executed his orders without hesitation, discussion or personal opinion. Emir Bukhari presents an account of these soldiers who, whilst far from brilliant strategists, nevertheless performed a vital role and were exceptional leaders of men. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 89 - 1st printing. "Byzantine Armies 886–1118!" Written by Ian Heath. Art by Angus McBride. The Byzantines had a remarkably sophisticated approach to politics and military strategy. Unlike most of their contemporaries, they learnt very early in their history that winning a battle did not necessarily win a war, and they frequently bought off their enemies with treaties and bribes rather than squander men and matériel in potentially fruitless campaigns. The Byzantine army of the 10th and early 11th centuries, at the height of its power and efficiency, was the best-organised, best-trained, best-equipped and highest-paid in the known world. This splendid book by Ian Heath examines the Byzantine Armies from 886-1118, including the lusty, hard-fighting, hard-drinking 'barbarian' Varangian guard. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 90 - 1st printing. "Napoleon's German Allies (3)!" Written by Otto von Pivka. Art by Richard Hook. In the battles of Jena and Auerstädt, where the Prussians were crushed by Napoleon, the Saxons excelled beyond comparison. Amidst the defeat and confusion, they withdrew in full control, with regular pace and band playing, stopping to engage whenever the enemy grew too close. Recognising the martial value of such troops, Napoleon swiftly took steps to assure a military alliance. In this absorbing addition to the Men-at-Arms series, Otto von Pivka explores the organisation, campaign history and uniforms of Napoleon's formidable Saxon allies, with numerous illustrations and eight superb full page colour plates by Richard Hook. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 91 - 1st printing. "Bengal Cavalry Regiments 1857–1914!" Written by Ronald Harris. Art by Chris Warner. The British connection with India dates from the formation of the Honourable East India Company in the 17th century, when a military force was needed to protect Britain's valuable trading interests. By 1914, there were over 40 regiments of Indian cavalry, all of which were commanded by British officers. This book provides an overview of the component cavalry regiments in the years between the Great Mutiny of 1857 and the outbreak of World War I. Numerous contemporary photographs and eight colour plates offer a rare glimpse into the distinctive uniforms of the cavalry. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 92 - 1st printing. "Indian Infantry Regiments 1860–1914!" Written by Michael Barthorp. Art by Jeffrey Burn. The Indian Army underwent significant changes in command, organization and composition from the time of the Indian Mutiny of 1857-59, to the outbreak of World War I. Prior to the Mutiny, the government of British India was exercised by the East India Company, who divided the country into three Presidencies, each with its own army under its own commander-in-chief. When Lord Kitchener was appointed Commander-in-Chief India in 1902, he undertook a major reorganization of the entire army. This book examines the infantry regiments of the Indian Army, at a time when it saw extensive action in campaigns throughout China, Egypt, the Sudan, Burma and Tibet. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 93 - 1st printing. "The Roman Army from Hadrian to Constantine!" Written by Michael Simkins. Art by Ronald Embleton. The year AD 122 was the first time a Roman Emperor had set foot in the Province of Britannia since the invasion in AD 43. No doubt he had read many reports concerning the damage caused by marauding tribesmen crossing from what is now Scotland into the Province. Hadrian, therefore, decided - in the words of his biographer - 'to build a wall to separate the Romans from the Barbarians'. This engaging work from author Michael Simkins explores in depth the organisation, equipment, weapons and armour of the Roman Army from Hadrian to Constantine, one of the most exciting periods in Roman history. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 94 - 1st printing. "The Swiss at War 1300–1500!" Written by Douglas Miller. Art by Gerry Embleton. During the 14th and 15th centuries military tactics in Europe underwent a period of sustained transformation of which the outcome was the rejuvenation of the footsoldier as the major tactical unit. One nation alone stands principally responsible for this development – the Swiss Confederation. For centuries the mounted knights had 'ridden roughshod over the populations of Europe'. It was in the Swiss halberdier and later the pikeman that the mounted men-at-arms were to meet their match. This absorbing text by Douglas Miller provides an account of rise of the Swiss army to its tactical zenith, beginning with the classic encounter at Morgarten. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 95 - 1st printing. "The Boxer Rebellion!" Written by Lynn Bodin. Art by Chris Warner. In the year 1900, an unprecedented co-operation occurred between the eight major military powers of the world. For more than a year military and naval personnel from Austria-Hungary, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States fought together against a common enemy. That enemy was a society whose goal was the extermination of all 'foreign devils' in China – the I Ho Ch'uan, or Righteous Harmonious Fists, better known to the West as the Boxers. This engaging account, packed with original photographs and full colour artwork, tells the story of this unique occurrence in military history. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 96 - 1st printing. "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.