Osprey Elite Series SC (1984-2008 OSPREY) comic books 2000-2002

Volume 68 - 1st printing. "The Military Sniper since 1914!" Written by Angus Konstam. Art by Angus McBride. It was only in World War I that the combination of high quality service rifles and new telescopic sights brought the true 'sniper' to the battlefield as a distinct specialist. By 1918 the scout-sniper's value as an observer and gatherer of intelligence was as important as his lethal skills, but these were disregarded in the interwar years. From 1939-45 most armies had to train and equip snipers from scratch, but they were to play a major role in all theatres of war. Famously, on the Russian Front it was a role in which women excelled. This title recounts the development of weapons, sights, tactics and clothing in all the major armies, from Flanders to the Gulf. Softcover,64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 69 - 1st printing. "Buccaneers 1620-1700!" Written by Angus Konstam. Art by Angus McBride. Before the era of great pirates in the early 18th century, there was an even more bloodthirsty phase of attacks in the Caribbean known as the 'Buccaneering Era'. For over 50 years, English, French and Dutch buccaneers launched a series of devastating attacks on Spanish towns, ports and shipping. Well-known buccaneers such as Captain Henry Morgan carried out their raids under the protection of the English crown, and in 1692, the French even used buccaneers to help its army capture the great Spanish city of Cartagena! Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 70 - 1st printing. "Elizabethan Sea Dogs 1560-1605!" Written by Angus Konstam. Art by Angus McBride. The swashbuckling English sea captains of the Elizabethan era were a particular breed of adventurer, combining maritime and military skill with a seemingly insatiable appetite for Spanish treasure. Angus Konstam describes these characters, including such well-known sea dogs as Francis Drake, Walter Raleigh, John Hawkins and Martin Frobisher. For about 40 years they fought a private war with the Spanish, and while their success in defeating the Spanish Armada is well known, this book also covers their exploits in the New World. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Very Fine $6.50

Volume 71 - 1st printing. "Queen Victoria's Commanders!" Written by Michael Barthorp. Art by Douglas Anderson. Michael Barthorp's entertaining and authoritative study includes key commanders such as (India 1837-56) Charles Napier, Hugh Gough, Harry Smith; (Crimean War) Lord Raglan, James Scarlett, George Cathcart, John Pennefather; (Indian Mutiny) John Nicholson, Henry Havelock, Hope Grant, Colin Campbell; (India 1860-98) Frederick Roberts; (Africa) Robert Napier, Garnet Wolseley, Herbert Stewart, Evelyn Wood, Redvers Buller, Hector Macdonald and Herbert Kitchener - among others. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 72 - 1st printing. "Napoleon's Commanders Part 1!" Written by Philip Haythornthwaite. Art by Patrice Courcelle. Victory or defeat on the Napoleonic battlefield was dependant on the skills, reactions and personalities of individual commanders. Even under a military genius such as Bonaparte, the dispersal of his armies on campaign and the lack of fast communications left command and control of the different corps and divisions in the hands of his marshals and generals. Illustrating the appearance of more than two dozen of Napoleon's leading colleagues and subordinate commanders, this first in a pair of Elite titles describes in concise but colourful detail their careers and personalities in the Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic campaigns up to 1809. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Fine $4.80

Volume 73 - 1st printing. "American Civil War Commanders Part 1!" Written by Philip Katcher. Art by Richard Hook. When the War Between the States broke out in 1861, the US Army had only four line generals - and only one of them was not a septuagenarian veteran of the War of 1812. With about one-third of all professional officers choosing to offer their swords to the South, the government's urgent need to find commanders for the vastly expanded Federal army put generals' stars on the shoulders of men of very varied backgrounds and talents. In time the shock of war would separate the born leaders from the over-promoted and the political opportunists. This first of four volumes examines the careers and often colorful personalities of nearly 30 Union generals whose service was mainly in the Eastern theater of war. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 74 - 1st printing. "Privateers & Pirates 1730-1830!" Written by Angus Konstam. Art by Angus McBride. Following the pirate scourge of the early 18th century, many sea captains took to privateering as a means of making money. A form of nationally sponsored piracy, it reached its peak during the American Revolution, when the fledgling American navy had to rely on privateers to disrupt British shipping between England and the rebellious colonies. Following peace in 1815, many former privateers turned to piracy, spawning the last great piratical wave, which would last for a decade. The world of these privateers and latter-day pirates comes vividly to life in this detailed exploration of their ships, crews, ports and battle tactics. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 75 - 1st printing. "The Indian Army 1914-1947!" Written by Ian Sumner. Art by Mike Chappell. At the height of its strength and confidence the army of British India was a unique organisation, whose officers and other ranks - all volunteers - were bound together by extraordinary ésprit de corps. Already the largest volunteer army in the world in 1914, by 1918 it had quadrupled in strength to nearly 600,000 men. Indian divisions served with distinction on the Western Front and, particularly, in the Middle East. After interwar campaigns on the North-West Frontier, in the Second World War Indian divisions made a major contribution to the British effort in North Africa, Italy and Burma. With independence and partition the old army was divided between the new states of India and Pakistan, retaining its discipline and professional pride in the most difficult circumstances. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 76 - 1st printing. "The German Freikorps 1918-23!" Written by Carlos Caballero Jurado . Art by Ramiro Bujeiro. The troops returning home to Germany after the 1918 Armistice found their country riven by internal unrest, and its eastern borders threatened. Though reluctant to support the new Republic, the many Free Corps formed by ex-Imperial soldiers fought furiously against Communist revolutionaries at home and Polish and Bolshevik Russian pressure on the frontiers. Later providing much of the manpower for the new Reichswehr, the Free Corps would have strong links with the nascent Nazi Party. This concise account of a little-known but central episode in the history of 20th century Germany is illustrated with rare photographs, and ten colour plates showing unprecedented details of uniforms and insignia. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Add to cart Very Fine $6.50

Add to cart Very Fine $6.50

Volume 77 - 1st printing. "British Colours & Standards 1747-1881 Part 1!" Written by Ian Sumner. Art by Richard Hook. In this first of a two-part sequence a respected vexillologist describes, explains and illustrates a wide variety of the standards and guidons carried during the 18th and 19th centuries by British Household, Regular, Yeomanry and Volunteer cavalry units. The successive regulations between 1747 and 1868 are supported by tables of 'ancient badges' and battle honours; by many examples of non-regulation practice (in the cavalier tradition of the British cavalry); and by ten dazzling plates by Richard Hook, detailing some 35 flags in full colour. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 78 - 1st printing. "World War I Trench Warfare Part 1!" Written by Stephen Bull. Art by Adam Hook. The regular armies which marched off to war in 1914 were composed of massed riflemen, screened by cavalry and supported by artillery; their leaders expected a quick and decisive outcome, achieved by sweeping manoeuvre, bold leadership and skill at arms. Eighteen months later the whole nature of field armies and their tactics had changed utterly. In sophisticated trench systems forming a battlefield a few miles wide and 400 miles long, conscript armies sheltered from massive long-range bombardment, wielding new weapons according to new tactical doctrines. This first of two richly illustrated studies explains in detail the specifics of that extraordinary transformation, complete with ten full colour plates of uniforms and equipment. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Fine $4.80

Volume 79 - 1st printing. "The Royal Navy 1939-45!" Written by Ian Sumner . Art by Alix Baker. The outbreak of war found the Royal Navy with world-wide responsibilities but, despite its legendary professionalism, out-of-date strategic doctrines. Despite some early clashes between capital ships, advances in submarine warfare and naval aviation would soon come to dominate the war at sea. By mid-1943, however, the Royal Navy dominated the Mediterranean, was winning the campaign against the Atlantic U-boats, and was convoying vast quantities of war material across the Atlantic and to Russia. The 'senior service' made a huge contribution to the D-Day landings, and sent strong units to support the USN in the final campaigns against Japan. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 80 - 1st printing. "The US Navy in World War II!" Written by Mark Henry. Art by Ramiro Bujeiro. In 1941 the US Navy had 17 battleships - of which eight would be knocked out on the first day of the war - four aircraft carriers, and about 340,000 men including reservists. Pearl Harbor so weakened it that it was unable to prevent the Japanese capture of the Philippines and a vast sweep of Pacific islands. By 1945 it was the strongest navy the world had ever seen, with nearly 100 carriers, 41,000 aircraft and 3.3 million men; the unrivalled master of air-sea and amphibious operations, it was poised to invade Japan's home islands after reducing her fleet to scrap and her Pacific empire to impotence and starvation. This extraordinary story is illustrated here with dramatic photos, and nine meticulous colour plates showing a wide range of USN uniforms. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 81 - 1st printing. "British Colours & Standards 1747-1881 Part 2!" Written by Ian Sumner . Art by Richard Hook. In this second of a two-part sequence a respected vexillologist describes, explains and illustrates a wide variety of the King's and Regimental colours carried during the 18th and 19th centuries by British Household, Regular, Militia and Volunteer infantry regiments. The successive regulations between 1747 and 1881 - when the carrying of colours in the field ceased - are supported by comprehensive tables of 'ancient badges' and battle honours; many careful drawings; and by ten dazzling plates by Richard Hook, detailing some 35 flags in full colour, as well as a number of famous colour-bearers. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 82 - 1st printing. "Samurai Heraldry!" Written by Stephen Turnbull. Art by Angus McBride. The dazzling spectacle presented by the armies of medieval Japan owed much to the highly developed family and personal heraldry of samurai society. From simple personal banners, this evolved over centuries of warfare into a complex system of flags worn or carried into battle, together with the striking 'great standards' of leading warlords. While not regulated in the Western sense, Japanese heraldry developed as a series of widely followed practices, while remaining flexible enough to embrace constant innovation. Scores of examples, in monochrome and full colour, illustrate this fascinating explanation of the subject by a respected expert on all aspects of samurai culture. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 83 - 1st printing. "Napoleon's Commanders Part 2!" Written by Philip Haythornthwaite. Art by Patrice Courcelle. On the Napoleonic battlefield victory or defeat could still depend on the skills, reactions and personalities of individual commanders. Even under a genius such as Napoleon the dispersal of his armies on campaign, and the lack of fast communications, left command and control of the different corps and divisions in the hands of his marshals and generals. This second in a pair of Elite titles describes in concise but colourful detail the careers and personalities of more than two dozen of Napoleon's leading subordinate commanders in the armies of the later Empire, from c1809 to the Hundred Days campaign of 1815. Their individual appearance, and the typical uniforms of a variety of staff officers, are reconstructed in 12 dazzling colour plates. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Volume 84 - 1st printing. "World War I Trench Warfare Part 2!" Written by Stephen Bull. Art by Adam Hook. The Allied attempt to break the stalemate of trench warfare by the 'big pushes' of 1916 led to massively costly battles of attrition. The Germans responded by developing schemes of defence in depth anchored on concrete bunkers; the Allies, by sophisticated artillery tactics in support of infantry assaults, and by the introduction of the tank - at first an accident-prone novelty, but later a front-breaking weapon. On both sides the small, self-reliant, opportunistic infantry unit, with its own specialist weapons, became the basic tool of attack. This second of a fascinating two-part study of the birth of 20th century tactics is illustrated in colour and includes rare photographs. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 85 - 1st printing. "US Commanders of World War II Part 1!" Written by James Arnold Robert Hargis. Art by Darko Pavlovic. To be a successful commander requires experience, character, tenacity and boldness: the ability to establish a good rapport with both your staff and your men is also vital. The real test comes in combat though, where a large proportion of luck is involved - the luck to be in the right place at the right time - and lasting reputations can be formed in a very brief and frenetic period. The key US commanders of World War II were subject to (and often gratuitously fostered) the projection of their 'characters', exploiting the growing power of the media. This title examines the careers, personalities and fortunes of the key US Army and Air Force commanders of World War II. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 86 - 1st printing. "Japanese Naval Aviation Uniforms and Equipment 1937-45!" Written by Gary Nila. Art by Bill Younghusband. This long awaited title provides a fantastic reference resource on the uniforms, dress, flight gear and personal weaponry of the Imperial Japanese Navy airmen of World War II. It includes detailed descriptions of flight gear, including manufacture information, and interviews with IJN pilots such as Sakai, Komachi, Tanimizu, Kawato and Saito regarding the use of a variety of equipment are integrated into the text. Packed with great contemporary illustrations, photographs of original items, and colour pictures, this title provides a meticulously detailed examination of the dress and equipment of the Imperial Japanese Navy's aviators in World War II. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 87 - 1st printing. "US Commanders of World War II Part 2!" Written by James Arnold Robert Hargis. Art by Darko Pavlovic. This title, the second of two looking at US commanders of World War II, examines the combat careers, personalities, uniforms, dress and appearance of the key US naval and Marine commanders. These men played a crucial role in the defeat of the Axis powers, particularly in the Pacific theater during such battles as Guadalcanal, Tarawa and Iwo Jima. Among those covered are Holland Smith, Lemuel Shepherd, Roy S. Geiger; John D. Bulkeley, Bull Halsey, Thomas Hart, Husband Kimmel, Charles Lockwood, Marc A. Mitscher, Chester Nimitz, Norman Scott, Raymond Spruance, Wade McCluskey, and Theodore Wilkinson. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 88 - 1st printing. "American Civil War Commanders Part 2!" Written by Philip Katcher. Art by Richard Hook. The generals who led the brigades, divisions, corps and armies of the Confederacy were very largely products of the same professional backgrounds as their opponents in Union blue - indeed, many of them were former West Point classmates and brother officers in the pre-war US Army, who had served together on the frontier or in the Mexican War. In terms of field experience they were also similar to the vast majority of Union commanders - none of them had ever commanded so much as a brigade before 1861, and they had to learn by trial and error. Some whose pre-war record had promised much were to fail the test of war; some more obscure officers were to rise to the challenge remarkably. This first of two volumes devoted to the Confederate generals details the careers, personalities and appearance of 25 commanders who made their names mainly with the Army of Northern Virginia in the Eastern theater of war. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $18.95.