Osprey Men-at-Arms Series SC (1973-2011 OSPREY) comic books 1976

Volume 43 - 1st printing. "Napoleon's German Allies (2)!" Written by Otto von Pivka. Art by Gerry Embleton. On 14 October 1808, Napoleon persuaded Herzog Peter Friedrich Ludwig of Oldenburg to join the Confederation of the Rhine by the Treaty of Erfurt – the military contingent to be maintained by the duchy was set at an infantry battalion of 800 men in six companies. Similarly, Friedrich August, Herzog of Nassau, was charged, under the terms of the treaty with co-ordinating and organising the military efforts of all the tiny states of its neighbours. In this fine addition to Osprey's Men-at-Arms series, Otto Von Pivka details the campaign history and uniforms of Napoleon's Nassau and Oldenburg allied troops. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

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Volume 46 - 2nd and later printings. "The Roman Army from Caesar to Trajan!" Written by Michael Simkins. Art by Ronald Embleton. Although the common Roman fighting men themselves have left no account, much literature has survived from antiquity. The wealth of archaeological finds, plus the study of surviving Roman scultpure has allowed hisorians to learn much about the nature of the Roman army which conquered an astonishing expanse of territory. Michael Simkins brings all his substantial knowledge to bear on this fascinating subject, covering such topics as army composition, recruitment, training, campaign routine and providing a wealth of detail on weapons, uniforms and equipment. Men-at-Arms 283, 291 and 46 are also available in a single volume special edition as ‘Caesar's Legions'. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 53 - 1st printing. "Rommel's Desert Army!" Written by Martin Windrow. Art by Michael Roffe. The desert war produced commanders of dash and originality on both sides and the memory of the German commanding general, Erwin Rommel, has endured as the epitome of skill, daring and soldierly integrity. His victories were brilliant until he was bested by poor health, lack of reinforcements and an opposing commander who was his equal. The contribution of his various troops is detailed in a full order of battle which includes his veteran Afrika Korps and Italian allies, and their uniforms are shown in full colour arwork. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 55 - 1st printing. "Napoleon's Dragoons and Lancers!" Written by Emir Bukhari. Art by Angus McBride. France was to call up a total of 1,600,000 men during the Napoleonic Wars, of whom a mere 600,000 were to survive. For those conscripted into service, one of the better fates would be recruitment as a cavalryman. Napoleon's dragoons were not just any band of individuals sorted and labelled cavalrymen; they were mounted infantrymen, trained to be adept with both musket and sabre, and proud of that distinction. Originally mounted for the sake of mobility but generally fighting on foot, they evolved into an army equally at home sabring at the charge as firing dismounted. Softcover, 50 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 56 - 1st printing. "The Mexican-American War 1846–48!" Written by Philip Katcher. Art by Gerry Embleton. ‘There never was so fine an American army,' wrote second-lieutenant, John Sedgwick, in describing the troops under Major-General Zachary Taylor in 1846. Another then second-lieutenant, destined to see many more armies; U.S. Grant, also thought highly of them: ‘The rank and file were probably inferior ... to the volunteers that participated in all the later battles of the war; but they were brave men, and then drill and discipline brought out all there was in them.' Philip Katcher writes the story of the regulars and volunteers who fought in the Mexican-American War, detailing the infantry, cavalry, artillery and staff of both the American and Mexican armies. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 57 - 1st printing. "The Zulu War!" Art by Angus McBride. By the end of the nineteenth century the fame of the Zulu was world-wide, and their army was one of the few non-European military organisations to have become the subject of serious historical study. Their very name is still synonymous with bravery, discipline and military skill. This excellent addition to Osprey's Men-at-Arms series tells the story of the Zulu's at war, from their rise to unrivalled power under the fearsome Shaka to the final devastating defeat against the British at Ulundi, detailing Zulu weapons and tactics, and the famous battles in which they fought. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 58 - 1st printing. "The Landsknechts!" Written by Douglas Miller. Art by Gerry Embleton. The Landsknechts were German mercenaries who served during the reigns of Maximilian I and Charles V in the sixteenth century. Having signed up, these Landsknechts were read a very detailed code of conduct, organised into companies, paid one month in advance, and sent into battle! Their major weapon was the pike, which could be up to 18 feet in length, but those whose duty it was to advance in the front line carried instead the fearsome Zweihänder; an enormous battle-sword around 66 inches in length! Douglas Miller describes in detail the organisation, tactics, weapons, uniforms and history of these remarkable soldiers. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 59 - 1st printing. "The Sudan Campaigns 1881–98!" Written by Robert Wilkinson-Latham. Art by Michael Roffe. In the Sudan in 1881 an obscure son of a carpenter pronounced himself the ‘Mahdi' or ‘Guided One of the Prophet', the long-expected Messiah of the Islamic faith. His influence was so strong that Egypt (co-ruled by Britain and France) was plunged into war. Robert Wilkinson-Latham provides an absorbing account of the Sudan campaigns, including the siege of Khartoum, the unpredictable General Charles Gordon, and the Nile Expedition. The author details the organisation and fortunes of all forces involved, painting a fascinating picture of the place and its peoples from 1881–98. Softcover, 50 pages, PC/PB&W.

Volume 60 - 1st printing. "Scandinavian Armies in the Napoleonic Wars!" Written by Jack Cassin-Scott. Art by Michael Roffe. By 1807 Napoleon--well aware of the strategic importance of the Scandinavian nations--was convinced that he must incorporate both Denmark and Norway into his Continental System, either by aggressive diplomacy or by naked force. Having claimed neutrality to sustain its trading links, Scandinavia found itself pitted between two power-hungry nations: Britain and France. This book details the Scandinavian armies involved in the Napoleonic Wars, beginning with the siege of Copenhagen in 1807, to the fall of Denmark and the invasion of Norway in 1813. The text is accompanied by colour plates detailing the uniforms and equipment of the Scandinavian armies. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W.