Osprey Men-at-Arms Series SC (1973-2011 OSPREY) comic books 1996-1998

Volume 291 - 1st printing. "Republican Roman Army 200–104 BC!" Written by Nicholas Sekunda. Art by Angus McBride. The principal source of information on the Roman Republican Army is the sixth book of the Histories of the Greek historian Polybius, written a little before 150BC. This engaging text by Nicholas Sekunda draws heavily on this vital source to outline the equipment and organisation of the Roman Republican Army from 200–104 BC – a time when Rome was growing from a regional to a world power. With plenty of photographs and illustrations, including eight vivid full page colour plates by Angus McBride, this fascinating volume examines such topics as the Roman shield, helmets, the cuirass, greaves, the pilum, legion organisation, the principales and the tactics they employed. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 291 -2nd and later printings. "Republican Roman Army 200–104 BC!" Written by Nicholas Sekunda. Art by Angus McBride. The principal source of information on the Roman Republican Army is the sixth book of the Histories of the Greek historian Polybius, written a little before 150BC. This engaging text by Nicholas Sekunda draws heavily on this vital source to outline the equipment and organisation of the Roman Republican Army from 200–104 BC – a time when Rome was growing from a regional to a world power. With plenty of photographs and illustrations, including eight vivid full page colour plates by Angus McBride, this fascinating volume examines such topics as the Roman shield, helmets, the cuirass, greaves, the pilum, legion organisation, the principales and the tactics they employed. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 292 - 1st printing. "King George's Army 1740–93 (3)!" Written by Stuart Reid. Art by Paul Chappell. The 18th century was marked by a steady growth in central control of the British Army and a corresponding decrease in the influence enjoyed by individual commanding officers. The most obvious sign of this process was the increasing uniformity of the clothing issued each year to the soldiers. Nevertheless, as far as those who devised the Clothing Regulations were concerned, it was a constant, and invariably quite uphill struggle to enforce compliance. This companion volume to Men-at-Arms 285 and Men-at-Arms 289 examines the organization and uniforms of King George's cavalry and artillery together with those of the Board of Ordnance. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 293 - 1st printing. "The Russian Civil War (1)!" Written by Mikhail Khvostov. Art by Andrei Karachtchouk. The main instrument with which the Bolsheviks imposed communism on Russia was the Red Army. Traditionally the origins of this army were among the factory workers who laid down their tools and took up arms as a way of expressing their grievances. Already formed by the time of the revolutions of 1905 and February 1917, these militant workers organised themselves into parliamentary detachments known as the krasnogvardeytsi, or 'Red Guards'. In this first of two volumes [see Men-at-Arms 305: White Armies] focusing on the Russian Civil War, Mikhail Khvostov examines the Red Army's organisation, weaponry, uniforms and insignia. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 294 - 1st printing. "British Forces in the West Indies 1793–1815!" Written by René Chartrand. Art by Paul Chappell. Two centuries ago, the West Indies were a booming set of islands where vast fortunes were made. By the late 1790s, the West Indies attracted four-fifths of British overseas capital investments and provided over one-eight of the government's £31.5 million total net revenue to the Treasury. These figures explain the tremendous numbers of naval and military forces deployed to protect these valuable Caribbean territories. This fascinating volume by Réne Chartrand examines these forces, including a wealth of illustrations and photographs and eight full page colour plates by Paul Chappell. Softcover, PC/PB&W..

Volume 295 - 1st printing. "Imperial Chinese Armies (2)!" Written by CJ Peers. Art by Michael Perry. By AD 589, when Yang Chien established himself at the head of a newly reformed Chinese empire, nearly four centuries had elapsed since the fall of the last great imperial dynasty: the Han. Although Yang's new Sui regime consciously modelled itself on its great predecessor, both China and the world outside had changed. The problem for the Sui and their successors was no longer simply to 'overawe the barbarians', but to deal as equals with other cultures that were just as proud and self-confident as their own. Chris Peers examines the imperial armies of China from 590-1260 AD, covering their history, organisation and tactics. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 296 - 1st printing. "Louis XV's Army (1)!" Written by René Chartrand. Art by Eugene Leliepvre. France had a population of between 22 and 25 million at this time, and maintained the largest standing army in Europe. In peacetime it might have amounted to about 200,000 men; in times of war, it could be anything up to half a million. A substantial part of Louis XV's army consisted of numerous regiments of guard cavalry, heavy cavalry and dragoon regiments, which were considered the best and noblest part. These many units form the subject matter in this first of five fascinating volumes [Men-at-Arms 296, 302, 304, 308 & 313] by René Chartrand covering the army of Louis XV's. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 297 - 1st printing. "Russian Army of the Seven Years War (1)!" Written by Angus Konstam. Art by Bill Younghusband. During the long and costly conflict known as the Great Northern War [1700-1721], Peter the Great and his newly formed Russian army, which was modelled on western European lines, defeated their Swedish counterparts, who were generally regarded as being the finest troops in Europe. Angus Konstam examines the development, equipment and organisation of the Russian army following the death of Peter the Great, and describes its emergence from three decades of experimentation and political involvement as a major military power during the Seven Years War. This first of two volumes covers the Russian infantry, with its companion, Men-at-Arms 298, focusing on the cavalry. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 298 - 1st printing. "Russian Army of the Seven Years War (2)!" Written by Angus Konstam. Art by Bill Younghusband. This second volume (see MAA 297) by Angus Konstam on the Russian Army of the Seven Years War concentrates on the cavalry, both the regular troops and irregular forces, considering their composition, nature and effectiveness. It also outlines the state of the Russian train of artillery, which was seen as the premier branch of the army and dominated Russian military doctrine throughout the 18th century. As a result of reforms to the, the Russians entered the war with Prussia somewhat wrong footed. The ability of the army to recover from this in the crucible of war is a major part of this story. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 299 - 1st printing. "Austrian Auxiliary Troops 1792–1816!" Written by David Hollins. Art by Bill Younghusband. To support her regular troops, Austria made extensive use of auxiliary forces during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. The Balkan Grenzers performed a mix of Military Frontier guard, field army and light roles, and were separated into the National Grenz regiments in 1798. French émigrés, Belgian and Polish volunteers, German Jäger and Balkan refugees formed volunteer units in the 1790s, which were mostly regularised into Light Battalions (1798-1801).The militia garrison troops of 1800 were developed into the conscript Landwehr of 1808, although volunteers (Freiwillige) joined the field army in 1809. Hungary and Croatia provided traditional Insurrection militias that fought at Raab in 1809. This title examines the different histories, organisation and colourful uniforms of these multi-national troops. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 300 - 1st printing. "French Foreign Legion!" Written by Martin Windrow. Art by Mike Chappell. Men of action and elite soldiers with a young and dynamic spirit, the French Foreign Legion are capable of doing their duty anywhere anytime. Martin Windrow's superb text examines the history of this famous force from the end of the Second World War onward. This first class addition to the Men-at-Arms series not only contains the usual wealth of accompanying photographs and illustrations, including eight full page colour plates by Mike Chappell, but is extended by a further 16 pages, allowing the author to display the full range of his expert knowledge, including 11 pages devoted to uniforms. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 301 - 1st printing. "The Boer Wars (1)!" Written by Ian Knight. Art by Gerry Embleton. Over the space of two centuries, the original Dutch settlers of South Africa, augmented by a trickle of refugees from a succession of religious wars in France and Germany, grew into a hardy breed. In time, these people came to think of themselves as white Africans or 'Afrikaners' though they were generally known to one another, and outsiders, as 'Boers', meaning farmers. This book details the fascinating history of the Boers from the 'Great Trek' of 1836-40, through theirr many wars with such peoples as the Zulus and the Pedi, to their final defeat of the Venda in 1898. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 302 - 1st printing. "Louis XV's Army (2)!" Written by René Chartrand. Art by Eugene Leliepvre. In Louis XV's army the classification of 'French' infantry denoted troops recruited from men born and raised in France. These regiments were called, naturally enough, infanterie francaise as opposed to the mercenary 'foreign' infantry recruited elsewhere. Making up the bulk of the army, all officers and men were to be of the Roman Catholic faith, the official state religion. Regimental recruiting parties went to towns and villages looking for likely young volunteers, inducing them to enlist with the usual promises – quick money, fast women, good wines and great glory. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 303 - 1st printing. "The Boer Wars (2)!" Written by Ian Knight. Art by Gerry Embleton. On 11 October 1899 the Second Boer War between the British and the Boers began. The war saw the most powerful professional army in the world pitted against the unconventional tactics of the undisciplined Boers. Although the Boers were finally forced to surrender in May 1902 the war had taken its toll on their opponents who lost some 8,000 troops killed in action with a further 13,000 dying from disease. This book covers the organisation, uniforms and very different tactics involved in the conflict, from guerrilla warfare to a final war of attrition that the Boers could not hope to win. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 304 - 1st printing. "Louis XV's Army (3)!" Written by René Chartrand. Art by Eugene Leliepvre. On account of long-standing tradition as well as sheer numbers, the importance of foreign regiments in the French army had become considerable by the time of Louis XV. Since the Middle Ages, the rulers of France had called upon mercenaries from various neighbouring nations to form units which were often among the finest in the army. In this third of five volumes covering the army of Louis XV [Men-at-Arms 296, 302, 304, 308 & 313], René Chartrand examines the organisation and uniforms of the foreign infantry and artillery troops in a text containing a wealth of illustrations including eight full page colour plates by Eugène Lelièpvre. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 305 - 1st printing. "The Russian Civil War (2)!" Written by Mikhail Khvostov. Art by Andrei Karachtchouk. Soon after the 1917 February revolution, and the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, the White cause began to emerge and oppose the Bolsheviks. There was, however, no single, united White Army to fight the Red Army and the forces available to the Whites represented a spectrum of political factions including monarchist military organisations and social-democrats. Many of the Cossack hosts also sided with the Whites, seeing it as an opportunity to create their own independent states; others remained neutral or hostile to both sides. This fascinating text by Mikhail Khvostov examines the colourful uniforms and the equipment of the White armies of the Russian Civil War. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 306 - 1st printing. "Chinese Civil War Armies 1911–49!" Written by Philip Jowett. Art by Stephen Andrew. The fall of the Manchu Empire in 1911 ended thousands of years of Imperial rule and ushered in almost 40 years of conflict in China. From the abdication of Pu-Yi, the last emperor, the invasion of Manchuria by the Japanese, and the 'long march', to the birth of the People's Republic of China in 1949, this book looks in detail at the fighting men, and women, who fought for the communists, imperialists, republicans, nationalists, warlords and the puppet armies. The result is a comprehensive and illuminating work covering a large and complex series of combatants and conflicts. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 307 - 1st printing. "Late Imperial Chinese Armies 1520–1840!" Written by CJ Peers. Art by Christa Hook. By the end of the 18th century – following an era which had seen the world increasingly divided into colonial powers and their victims – the Ch'ing dynasty of the Manchus, who had overthrown the native Ming in the 1640s, ruled over the largest and most populous empire in the world, with territories that had doubled in size in the previous few decades. Chris Peers' engaging study of the late imperial Chinese armies from 1520 to 1840 is supported by a wealth of illustrations and photographs, including eight attractive full page colour plates by Christa Hook. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 308 - 1st printing. "Louis XV's Army (4)!" Written by René Chartrand. Art by Eugene Leliepvre. The emergence of light troops at the time of Louis XV's reign is a sign of the search for better intelligence of the enemy and rapid tactical moves on battlefields. This fourth instalment of René Chartrand's review of Louis XV's army reveals an extraordinary variety of units, most now long forgotten, who had a dazzling assortment of uniforms, equipment and weapons, as is revealed by this interesting text and its numerous accompanying illustrations, which include eight full page colour plates by Eugène Lelièpvre. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 309 - 1st printing. "The Italian Invasion of Abyssinia 1935–36!" Written by David Nicolle. Art by Raffaele Ruggeri. In October 1935 Mussolini ordered the invasion of Ethiopia from Italian-held Eritrea and Somaliland, thinking that he would easily crush an ill-prepared and badly equipped enemy. The Italians, in the face of widespread condemnation from the League of Nations, spread terror and destruction through their indiscriminate use of air power and poison gas against an enemy more used to medieval methods of warfare. David Nicolle examines in detail the units, equipment and uniforms of the forces on both sides of this conflict that unrealistically bolstered Il Duce's colonial ambitions. A great read ably supported by Raffaele Ruggeri's detailed full-page colour plates. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 310 - 1st printing. "German Medieval Armies 1000–1300!" Written by Christopher Gravett. Art by Graham Turner. In medieval Germany violence was accepted far more than in other kingdoms. Kings were recognised as guardians of order, but this had its limitations. Lords expected to use force to secure their rights or win an argument when peaceful methods were not sufficient. Christopher Gravett does a fine job of examining the organisation and campaigns of German medieval armies from 1000-1300, in a volume containing plenty of photographs and illustrations, including eight full page colour plates by Graham Turner. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 311 - 1st printing. "The German Army 1939–45 (1)!" Written by Nigel Thomas. Art by Stephen Andrew. On 1 September 1939, when Germany attacked Poland, the Wehrmacht numbered 3,180,000 men. It eventually expanded to 9,500,000, and on 8-9 May 1945, the date of its unconditional surrender on the Western and Eastern Fronts, it still numbered 7,800,000. The Blitzkrieg period, from 1 September 1939 to 25 June 1940, was 10 months of almost total triumph for the Wehrmacht, as it defeated every country, except Great Britain, that took the field against it. In this first of five volumes examining the German Army of World War Two, Nigel Thomas examines the uniforms and insignia of Hitler's Blitzkrieg forces, including an overview of the Blitzkrieg campaign itself.Men-at-Arms 311, 316, 326, 330 and 336 are also available in a single volume special edition titled ‘German Army in World War II'. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 312 - 1st printing. "The Algerian War 1954–62!" Written by Martin Windrow. Art by Mike Chappell. It is hard to convey the public impact of France's war to maintain her colonial grip on Algeria; yet in the late 1950s this ugly conflict dominated Europe's media to almost the same extent as would Vietnam ten years later. It brought France to the very verge of military coup d'etat; it destroyed thousands of careers; bitterly divided the French military and political classes for a generation; and sent hundreds of thousands of European settler families into often ruinous exile. This title details the history, organisation, equipment and uniforms of the forces involved. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 313 - 1st printing. "Louis XV's Army (5)!" Written by René Chartrand. Art by Eugene Leliepvre. In 1715 France had a sizeable overseas empire in America, Africa and Asia, its colonies garrisoned by thousands of regular officers and soldiers who belonged to the Navy's colonial establishment or by the French East India Company's troops. Though these troops are not usually covered in histories of the French forces, since the end of the 17th century, they saw considerable action against the enemy overseas. This last volume in a series of five (Men-at-Arms 296, 302, 304, 308 and 313) details the uniforms, arms and accoutrements of Louis XV's colonial and naval troops. The text is accompanied by numerous photographs and illustrations, including eight full colour plates. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 314 - 1st printing. "Armies of the Ottoman Empire 1775–1820 !" Written by David Nicolle. Art by Angus McBride. At the close of the 18th century the Ottoman Empire still had huge military potential. It was a complex structure of military provinces, autonomous regions and virtually independent 'regencies'. The Ottoman Empire had a larger population than its land could actually support which resulted in bloated cities, migration to under-populated mountainous areas, widespread banditry and piracy. It also meant that Ottoman armies had a ready pool of military manpower. With numerous illustrations, including eight full page colour artworkss by Angus Mcbride, this fascinating text by David Nicolle explores the armies of the Ottoman empire from 1775 until 1820. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 315 - 1st printing. "The French Army 1939–45 (1)!" Written by Ian Sumner and Francois Vauvillier. Art by Mike Chappell. The French Army of 1939 was considered by contemporaries to be the strongest army in the world at that time. In fact, as the events of the next ten months soon revealed, the Army was riddled with fatal weaknesses. In this book, the first of two volumes examining the French Army of the Second World War, Ian Sumner and François Vauvillier examine the organisation, uniforms and equipment of the army of 1939-40 and Vichy France. It includes orders of battle and formation charts as well as many illustration and colour uniform artworks. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 316 - 1st printing. "The German Army 1939–45 (2)!" Written by Nigel Thomas. Art by Stephen Andrew. Hitler first considered an invasion of Great Britain in autumn 1940, then scheduled Operation Barbarossa, the conquest of the European part of the Soviet Union, for May 1941. Anxious to emulate Hitler's successes, the Italian dictator Mussolini embarked upon unnecessary military adventures in North Africa and the Balkans, which forced Hitler's intervention, diverting and depleting precious German resources, and a six-week postponement of Barbarossa. In this second of four volumes [Men-at-Arms 311, 316, 326 & 330] on the German Army of the Second World War, Nigel Thomas examines the uniforms and insignia of the forces involved in North Africa and the Balkans. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 317 - 1st printing. "Henry V and the Conquest of France 1416–53!" Written by Paul Knight. Art by Graham Turner. This book details the English army that Henry V led back into France in 1417 to conquer Normandy and again take the war to the French. In 1422 Henry died, and was succeeded by the nine-month-old Henry VI: by 1429 English fortunes were in decline, but more than 20 years of warfare would pass before the English were driven from France. This period of the war is often ignored in preference to the battles of Crécy, Poitiers and Agincourt but in fact is the decisive phase of the conflict. This title examines the army that fought these campaigns in detail looking at its composition, organisation, equipment and weaponry. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 318 - 1st printing. "The French Army 1939–45 (2)!" Written by Ian Sumner and Francois Vauvillier. Art by Mike Chappell. By 16 June 1940, De Gaulle, with the decisive support of Churchill, had come to the conclusion that, whatever happened, France could not stand to one side in the struggle against Nazi Germany. And so, Free France was born. In this companion volume to MAA 315: The French Army 1939-45 (I) , Ian Sumner and François Vauvillier examine the history, uniforms and insignia of the Free French, Fighting French and the Army of Liberation. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 319 - 1st printing. "British Forces in North America 1793–1815!" Written by René Chartrand. Art by Gerry Embleton. The end of the American Revolution in 1783 confirmed the independence of the republic of the United States of America from Great Britain. Britain, however, still managed to make its presence felt in North America. Britain's Orders in Council concerning trade were a major irritant which, added to other issues including the sale of Louisiana and the impressment of American soldiers by the Royal Navy, finally caused the United States to declare war on 19 June 1812. This volume examines in detail the organisation, tactics and equipment of the British forces between 1793 and 1815. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 320 - 1st printing. "Armies of the Caliphates 862–1098!" Written by David Nicolle. Art by Graham Turner. The 8th century heralded the start of a golden age in the history of the Islamic world. At this time, the Sunni Muslim 'Abbãsid Caliphate, with its capital at Baghdad, ruled virtually the entire Islamic world. Islamic military power peaked in the 9th century, but by the end of this golden age in the 11th century, the 'Abbãsid Caliphs had little political and virtually no military power. Featuring numerous photographs of artefacts and eight full colour plates by Graham Turner, David Nicolle's book examines the recruitment, organization, weaponry and uniforms of the armies of the Caliphates from 862-1098. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 321 - 1st printing. "Spanish Army of the Napoleonic Wars (1)!" Written by René Chartrand. Art by Bill Younghusband. The Spanish Army was transformed during the 18th century by an influx of progressive officers who modernised and expanded it. It was closely modelled on the French armies of Louis XIV and Louis XV in tactical doctrine, organisation, armament and uniforms. In battle, they were often brave to the point of carelessness, and were thus sometimes difficult to control. The army also had several Swiss and Walloon regiments, less given to all-out attacks, but renowned for their steadiness under fire. In this first of three volumes, Réne Chartrand examines the organisation and uniforms of the Spanish Army of the Napoleonic Wars. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 322 - 1st printing. "The French Indochina War 1946–54!" Written by Martin Windrow. Art by Mike Chappell. The states of Indochina had been French colonies or protectorates since the 19th century. However, in March 1945 the Japanese interned all French troops and officials, and turned over all civil government to local authorities. The power vacuum caused by the Japanese surrender allowed the Viet Minh, a strong revolutionary organisation, to be established throughout Vietnam. When the French returned to the north, incidents between French and VM troops were inevitable, negotiations collapsed and the French opted for a military solution. This book examines the history of the conflict and the forces of both sides. Softcover, PC/PB&W.