Osprey Men-at-Arms Series SC (1973-2011 OSPREY) comic books 1997-1999

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 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.

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Volume 323 - 1st printing. "The Austrian Army 1836–66 (1)!" Written by Darko Pavlovic. Art by Darko Pavlovic. In the mid-19th century, Austria comprised a heterogeneous, multi-ethnic empire consisting of the Austrian or 'German' area; the Hungarian area; the Military Border; and the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia. The diverse nature of the empire made it difficult to create a unified and up-to-date military system, especially with remnants of feudalism still strong in some provinces. This book examines the Line infantry, Grenz infantry (Border troops) and Jägers (riflemen) that formed the Austrian infantry. Numerous illustrations and photographs of uniforms, rank insignia and regiments complement the text, as well as eight full colour plates. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 324 - 1st printing. "The North-East Frontier 1837–1901!" Written by Ian Heath. Art by Michael Perry. Despite the fact that it was events on the North-West Frontier which perennially awed and captivated Victorian audiences, British India's North-East Frontier saw at least as much military activity. Even the heroid 11-day defence of the isolated outpost of Kohima against overwhelming odds – fewer than 200 British-officered troops against perhaps 6,000 Nagas – failed to capture the public imagination. Today, after the passage of another century, Britain's numerous campaigns and conquests in Assam and the surrounding hills have faded even further into the mists of obscurity. This fascinating text by Ian Heath examines the peoples and places of the North-East Frontier. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 325 - 1st printing. "French Foreign Legion 1914–45 !" Written by Martin Windrow. Art by Mike Chappell. In this worthy addition to the Men-at-Arms series, Martin Windrow examines the history and uniforms of the French Foreign Legion from the start of the First World War to the end of the Second World War. The author's knowledgeable text covers such topics as a comprehensive battle history of the Legion on the Western Front 1914-18, the colonial campaigns in Morocco, Syria and Indochina, the Battle of France and campaign in Tunisia. This volume is splendidly illustrated throughout, containing a wealth of contemporary photographs and eight full page colour plates by Mike Chappell. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 326 - 1st printing. "The German Army 1939–45 (3)!" Written by Nigel Thomas. Art by Stephen Andrew. Operation Barbarossa, the attack on the Soviet Union, commenced on 22 June 1941. It became the biggest conflict in military history, with some three million German troops and about 900,000 allies facing almost 4.7 million Soviet troops. The effects would colour postwar European history for the next 50 years. This title examines the history of the conflict, and the organisation, uniforms and insignia of the German Army on the Eastern Front from 1941-43. The book contains numerous illustrations and photographs throughout, incuding eight fine full-page colour plates by Stephen Andrew. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 327 - 1st printing. "US Marine Corps in World War I 1917–18!" Written by Mark Henry. Art by Darko Pavlovic. Though the US Marines initially struggled to maintain their distinctive identity within the huge American Expeditionary Force in France, their unforgettable performance at Belleau Wood, Soissons, St Mihiel, Blanc Mont and the Meuse-Argonne established their reputation as 'the most aggressive body of diehards on the Western Front'. This book describes the organization of this formidable force from 1917-18 and details their uniforms, insignia and decorations, weapons and equipment. Numerous photographs and eight full colour plates vividly depict the various ranks of the US Marine Corps. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 328 - 1st printing. "The Austrian Army 1836–66 (2)!" Written by Darko Pavlovic. Art by Darko Pavlovic. The huge, multi-national Austro-Hungarian army was a major factor in mid-19th century European politics. Sharing borders with ramshackle Ottoman Turkey and volatile Italy, the Empire was threatened both internally – by growing nationalist esentments – and externally by the ambitions of France and Prussia. The Imperial and Royal Army was representative of the Empire, its composition and gorgeously complex uniforms echoing the historical traditions of both German-speaking Middle Europe and the East-facing Hungarian borderlands. This detailed analysis of its cavalry arm – Kurassiers, Dragoons, Chevauxlegers, Hussars and Uhlans – follows the author/artist's similar treatment of the Austro-Hungarian infantry in Men-at-Arms 323, and includes detailed tables of regimental distinctions. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 330 - 1st printing. "The German Army 1939–45 (4)!" Written by Nigel Thomas. Art by Stephen Andrew. In early 1943 the annihilation of the 6th Army at Stalingrad marked the irreversible turning-point of the war in the East. Despite occasional local successes gained in the face of great odds – testimony to the Wehrmacht's extraordinary resilience – from now on Germany was on the defensive. Despite Hitler's damaging interference the quality of German field leadership, and of new weapons, remained high; but each new Soviet offensive pushed the front line closer to – and finally, across – the borders of the Reich. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 331 - 1st printing. "Scots Armies of the English Civil Wars!" Written by Stuart Reid. Art by Graham Turner. In the summer of 1642 the First Civil War between king and parliament had broken out in England. Initially both sides were confident of victory, but after the first campaigns ended in stalemate they began looking for allies. The meddling of the Stuart Kings with Scotland's religious traditions provoked the National Covenant, and later the Solemn League and Covenant. Yet many Scots continued to support the King, and after his execution, his exiled son.This fine text by Stuart Reid examines the Scots armies who fought in the English Civil Wars, and features numerous illustrations and photographs, including full page colour plates by Graham Turner. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 332 - 1st printing. "Spanish Army of the Napoleonic Wars (2)!" Written by René Chartrand. Art by Bill Younghusband. The French 'invasion by stealth' of her uneasy ally Spain, and the final proclamation of Napoleon's brother Joseph as king, led to the spontaneous outbreak of a war of resistance in May 1808 that would rage for six years. Despite Napoleon's clear advantage, the Spanish Army was never completely destroyed, their stubborn resistance typified by epic sieges at Zaragoza and Gerona and nationwide guerrilla warfare. The second of three volumes, this book examines the history, uniforms and equipment of the Spanish Army who, with the help of guerrillas and 'armed peasantry', stood up to Napoleon's Grand Army against all odds. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 333 - 1st printing. "Armies of Medieval Russia 750–1250!" Written by David Nicolle. Art by Angus McBride. In the centuries following the first expeditions down the great rivers of northern Russia by Viking traders and adventurers, the foundations for a new state were laid. Many influences combined in this colourful culture which grew up first around the great cities of Kiev and Novgorod – Scandinavian, Finnish, Slav, steppe Turkish, Byzantine. By the time of the Mongol invasions of the 12th century the small enclaves of the old pagan Rus', tolerated by the Khazar Khans for their commercial usefulness, had evolved into a Christian nation. Its story is told here infascinating detail, and illustrated with striking colour reconstructions of the warriors themselves. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 334 - 1st printing. "Spanish Army of the Napoleonic Wars (3)!" Written by René Chartrand. Art by Bill Younghusband. This volume – covering the final years of the Peninsular War and the long trek over the Pyrenees into France – concludes the author's remarkable in-depth study of the army that fought alongside Wellington's redcoats throughout the Peninsular War. Prior to 1813 it was the Spanish armies that bore the brunt of the fighting and this text – based on primary research in Spanish and British archives which will be new to most readers – fills a large and long-standing gap in our knowledge of those Napoleonic campaigns which have always fascinated English-speaking students of the period. Softcover, PC/PB&W.