Osprey Men-at-Arms Series SC (1973-2011 OSPREY) comic books 1985

Add to cart Near Mint $8.00

Add to cart Near Mint $8.00

Add to cart Very Fine $6.00

Add to cart Fine $9.60

Volume 96 - 2nd and later printings. "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.

Volume 158 - 1st printing. "Rome's Enemies (2)!" Written by Peter Wilcox. Art by Angus McBride. In 390 BC a Gallic army marched on Rome. A confident Roman army of about 15,000 men sent to bar the way was destroyed. Three days after the battle the Gauls entered Rome, much of which they burnt, and demanded a huge bounty of gold to leave the city. During the weighing procedure, Brennus, the Gallic leader, is said to have thrown his sword on to the scales with the words 'Vae victis' - 'Woe to the defeated'. A sentiment the Gauls were soon to experience first hand. This fascinating work by Peter Wilcox explores the history, dress and equipment of Rome's Celtic enemies. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 159 - 1st printing. "Grenada 1983!" Written by Lee E Russell. Art by Paul Hannon. On 21 October 1983, following the death of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, the leaders of the six small nations forming the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States voted to intervene militarily to restore order in Grenada. As none possessed the forces necessary to carry out a successful operation, the United States, fearing for its citizens on the island, and wanting to curb Cuba's growing influence, decided to get involved. This book provides a day-by-day account of the US invasion of Grenada, focusing on the units and forces deployed. Numerous contemporary photographs and colour plates detail the uniforms and equipment of the US, Cuban and Caribbean forces. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Add to cart Near Mint $8.00

Volume 160 - 1st printing. "Napoleon's Guard Infantry (2)!" Written by Philip Haythornthwaite. Art by Bryan Fosten. This title looks at Napoleon's Middle and Young Guard infantry. The seniority of Guard infantry was only established definitely in 1812 by the Guard's chief of personnel, Courtois. The title 'Young Guard' was assigned to the newly-raised regiments in 1809, but the term 'Middle Guard' came into use about 1811. From the beginning the newer guard regiments were committed to action first, the Old Guard, as Napoleon wrote, 'being so precious, one fears to expose them'; thus the Fusiliers-Chasseurs distinguished themselves at Hilsberg whilst the rest of the Guard was kept in reserve. In 1808 the Fusiliers went to Spain, serving at the Madrid rising, Medina and Guadalajara. Philip Haythornwaite examines these troops in a detailed text backed by numerous illustrations including eight full page colour plates by Bryan Fosten. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Add to cart Near Mint $8.00

Volume 161 - 1st printing. "The Spanish Foreign Legion!" Written by John Scurr. Art by Bryan Fosten. Although overshadowed by its French counterpart, the Tercio de Extrangeros, 'Regiment of Foreigners' has a rich and eventful history beginning with its formation in 1920. Under the command of LtCol Millán Astray and Comandante Francisco Franco, the Spanish Foreign Legion developed into a formidable force, led by Astray's belief that 'to die in combat is the greatest honour.' This book examines the main campaigns in which the Legion participated, from Melilla in 1921-23 until its withdrawal from the Sahara in 1976. A wealth of contemporary photographs and colour plates detail the uniforms and insignia of the Spanish Foreign Legion. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 162 - 1st printing. "Prussian Cavalry of the Napoleonic Wars (1)!" Written by Peter Hofschröer. Art by Bryan Fosten. When Frederick II (later known as Frederick the Great) came to the throne in 1740, he had three advantages for which he owed thanks to his father: a modern, well-organised state; full coffers; and a properly trained and equipped army. Under a leader as renowned as Seydlitz, the Prussian cavalry achieved the nearest to a state of perfection that it was ever going to. So great was its reputation in the Seven Years' War that Napoleon made a special point of warning his men at the beginning of the 1806 campaign to beware of the Prussian cavalry. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Add to cart Near Mint $8.00

Volume 163 - 1st printing. "The American Plains Indians!" Written by Jason Hook. Art by Richard Hook. The central plains of North America to the east of the Rocky Mountains were home to the Plains Indians; here the hunting grounds of the twelve typical tribes coincided with the grazing range of the largest of the buffalo herds. The adoption of a horse culture heralded the golden age of the Plains Indians – an age abruptly ended by the intervention of the white man, who forced them into reservations in the second half of the 19th century. Jason Hook's fascinating text explores the culture of American Plains Indians, from camp life to conquest, in a volume complemented by photographs and stunning artwork. Men-at-Arms 163 and 186 and Warrior 4 are also available in a single volume special edition as ‘To Live and Die in the West'. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Add to cart Near Mint $8.00

Volume 164 - 1st printing. "The Canadian Army at War!" Art by Mike Chappell. Throughout the twentieth century, Canadian armies participated in the world's major conflicts, from the Boer War at the dawn of the century, to the Korean War in the 1950s. As part of the British empire, Canada supported Britain in South Africa, and came to the aid of the Allies in both world wars. This book chronicles the development of the Canadian Army and the legendary achievements of a nation which might have justifiably stayed aloof from the quarrels of others. As both author and illustrator, Mike Chappell paints an engaging picture of the history, equipment and uniforms of the Canadian Army. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 165 - 1st printing. "Armies in Lebanon 1982–84!" Written by Sam Katz & Lee E Russell. Art by Ronald Volstad. The Lebanese Civil War of 1975-76 caused 80,000 dead and totally split the country along factional lines. An estimated 50 different militias came into existence, and acts of violence were both individual and collective. In the midst of this explosive atmosphere, cross-border conflict between Israel and Lebanon intensified, culminating in Operation Peace for Galilee - the invasion of Lebanon. This book offers a day-by-day account of the invasion and the subsequent siege of Beirut, an operation that resulted in both the PLO and Israel claiming victory. Numerous photographs and colour plates portray the uniforms and equipment of the Israeli, Palestinian and Multi-National forces. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 166 - 1st printing. "German Medieval Armies 1300–1500!" Written by Christopher Gravett. Art by Angus McBride. The German rulers were forceful and powerful men, and, surrounded by potential enemies, circumstances dictated the necessity of rule by strength based on military capacity. In the later 15th century, three houses rose above the others; the families of Wittelsbach, Luxemburg and the powerful Austrian Hapsburgs. The struggles of these and other houses, and of the knights and towns, were to be a feature of German history throughout the Middle Ages. This title details the dress, weapons, heraldry and insignia of these prolific forces. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 167 - 1st printing. "Brunswick Troops 1809–15!" Written by Otto von Pivka. Art by Bryan Fosten. Since the bitter defeats and loss of territory of 1805, Austria had been hard at work overhauling and expanding her military machine. In 1808, the Austrian government felt that with the outbreak of the Spanish war, Napoleon would have too much to do to be able to devote large forces to deal with them. On 25 February 1809 Friedrich Wilhelm of Brunswick entered into an agreement with the Austrians to raise a corps of infantry and cavalry to fight alongside them as they invaded his old domains, raising the population against their French rulers and exacting a long-awaited revenge on the hated Napoleon. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 168 - 1st printing. "US Cavalry on the Plains 1850–90!" Written by Philip Katcher. Art by Ronald Volstad. Two events in the 19th century turned the minds of Americans westwards towards eventual and inevitable conflict with the Plains Indians. The first was victory in the Mexican-American War, which brought millions of acres of new land in the West. The second was the discovery of gold in California. One of the results of this migration was conflict with the Indians who inhabited the Plains. So it was natural that the Army, the nation's armed peace-keepers, should be sent to garrison the West. This book by Philip Katcher tells the absorbing story of the US cavalrymen who patrolled the Plains from 1850-90. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 169 - 1st printing. "Resistance Warfare 1940–45!" Written by Carlos Caballero Jurado. Art by Paul Hannon. The occupation of Western Europe by the Wehrmacht brought about the birth of resistance movements in all the countries affected, as well as collaborationist movements directly opposed to the resistance. In effect, the war against Germany became a civil war within each country. Sought out by the Hohere SS und Polizeiführer ('High Command of the SS and Police') and often aided by the British Special Operations Executive, the Western European Resistance centred largely on espionage and intelligence-gathering. A companion volume to Men-at-Arms 142: Partisan Warfare 1941-45, this book explores the history of resistance warfare in Norway, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, France and Italy. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 172 - 1st printing. "Prussian Cavalry of the Napoleonic Wars (2)!" Written by Peter Hofschröer. Art by Bryan Fosten. After Prussia's dismemberment a drastic re-organisation of the entire army was necessary, and the cavalry underwent this process with the rest. At the time of the mobilisation in 1813, the somewhat reduced mounted arm was supplemented by voluntary and militia formations; and once peace was established after the First Abdication, a further re-organisation was begun. The fateful campaign of 1815 was fought with the Prussian cavalry still in the throes of this re-organisation. Packed with diagrams, illustrations and eight full page colour plates by Bryan Fosten, this book by Peter Hofschröer details the history, organisation, equipment and uniforms of the Prussian cavalry which fought in the Napoleonic wars. Softcover, PC/PB&W.