Osprey Elite Series SC (1984-2008 OSPREY) comic books 1996-1998

Volume 62 - 1st printing. "American Civil War Zouaves!" Written by Robin Smith. Art by Bill Younghusband. Among the mass of units formed in the early months of the American Civil War were several of the colourful Zouave units. Inspired by the French colonial units raised in North Africa with their distinctive uniforms and reputation as hard fighters, units with names as colourful as their uniforms began to appear. In this volume Robin Smith details the uniforms and battles of these flamboyant units. Bill Younghusband is rapidly establishing himself as one of the most popular illustrators of 18th and 19th century military subjects, and has already contributed to a number of Osprey titles Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 62 -2nd and later printings. "American Civil War Zouaves!" Written by Robin Smith. Art by Bill Younghusband. Among the mass of units formed in the early months of the American Civil War were several of the colourful Zouave units. Inspired by the French colonial units raised in North Africa with their distinctive uniforms and reputation as hard fighters, units with names as colourful as their uniforms began to appear. In this volume Robin Smith details the uniforms and battles of these flamboyant units. Bill Younghusband is rapidly establishing himself as one of the most popular illustrators of 18th and 19th century military subjects, and has already contributed to a number of Osprey titles Softcover, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 63 - 1st printing. "German Mountain & Ski Troops 1939-45!" Written by Gordon Williamson. Art by Stephen Andrew. Fighting in every theatre from the burning sands of North Africa to the icy wastes above the arctic circle the German Army's Gebirgstruppen troops were some of the most effective in the whole of the Wehrmacht. Their esprit de corps and morale were extremely high and their commanders, men such as Eduard Dietl, the 'Hero of Narvik', and Julius 'Papa' Ringel, were idolised by their men. Dietl himself was the first soldier of the Wehrmacht to be awarded the coveted Oakleaves to the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross. In this book Gordon Williamson details the uniforms, organisation and combat histories of these elite troops. Softcover,64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 64 - 1st printing. "Army Commandos 1940-45!" By Mike Chappell. The period from early 1940 to the end of 1942 was a time of gloom and uncertainty for the British, who stood alone against the assembled might of the Axis powers. They badly needed a champion, and were to find this in a small force of soldiers who inspired them with a series of daring raids against the coasts of 'occupied Europe', becoming the heroes of the British public and of the British Prime Minister who had created them. This title explores the wartime history of the British Army Commandos whose bravery did so much to raise the morale of the British public. Softcover,64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 64 - 1st printing. "Army Commandos 1940-45!" By Mike Chappell. The period from early 1940 to the end of 1942 was a time of gloom and uncertainty for the British, who stood alone against the assembled might of the Axis powers. They badly needed a champion, and were to find this in a small force of soldiers who inspired them with a series of daring raids against the coasts of 'occupied Europe', becoming the heroes of the British public and of the British Prime Minister who had created them. This title explores the wartime history of the British Army Commandos whose bravery did so much to raise the morale of the British public. Softcover, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 65 - 1st printing. "Redcaps: Britain's Military Police!" By Mike Chappell. The story of Britain's provost forces necessarily focuses attention on some of the less glorious episodes of British Army history. Had every British soldier over the centuries been an obedient and dutiful soul, there would have been no need for provost of military police. Sadly, armies - particularly in time of war - have always been home for the criminal, and the British Army has had its share of thieves and cut-throats, as well as its drunken and licentious element. How these were contained, or dealt with, is the main subject of this book. The men who tamed the lawless are its subject. Softcover,64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 66 - 1st printing. "The Spartan Army!" Written by Nicholas Sekunda. Art by Richard Hook. Although Sparta's early history is not clear, by the end of the 8th century most of the other cities of Lakedaimon had been reduced to subject status. The Lakedaimonians were the only full time army in ancient Greece and were thus truly an elite force. The institutions of the state and the system of education were organised with a view to creating superbly trained soldiers. Nick Sekunda examines this unique military machine in this book describing the organisational systems of the Spartan army through the Hellenistic period, how they were trained, the battles they fought, and the society that produced them. Softcover,64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 67 - 1st printing. "Pirates 1660-1730!" Written by Angus Konstam. Art by Angus McBride. This book gives an accurate picture of the pirates who sailed in the waters of the Caribbean and off the American coastline during the 'golden age' of piracy between 1660 and 1730. It traces the origins of piratical activity in the 16th century and examines the Boucaneer (Buccaneer) culture in Jamaica and Hispaniola. It details what drove individuals to a life of piracy, how they dressed, their weaponry, the ships they used and the codes by which they operated. Whether viewed as villains or victims the Pirates were a major threat to shipping and commerce in the western Atlantic for more than 70 years. Softcover,64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.