Osprey Men-at-Arms Series SC (1973-2011 OSPREY) comic books 1983

Volume 136 - 1st printing. "Italian Medieval Armies 1300-1500!" Written by David Nicolle. Art by Gerry Embleton. Mercenaries were a common feature throughout most of Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries, and had been known far earlier. But nowhere did such a sophisticated system of hiring, payment and organisation of mercenaries develop as it did in Italy. The condottiere whose name came from the condotta or contract between himself and his employer was the result. Whether commander or humble trooper, the condottiere was a complete professional. His skill has never been doubted, but his loyalty and dedication to a particular cause often has. David Nicolle provides a fascinating exploration of the condottiere; his roles, arms and equipment. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 137 - 1st printing. "The Scythians 700–300 BC!" Written by E.V. Cernenko. Art by Angus McBride. Though the 'Scythian period' in the history of Eastern Europe lasted little more than 400 years, the impression these horsemen made upon the history of their times was such that a thousand years after they had ceased to exist as a sovereign people, their heartland and the territories which they dominated far beyond it continued to be known as 'greater Scythia'. From the very beginnings of their emergence on the world scene the Scythians took part in the greatest campaigns of their times, defeating such mighty contemporaries as Assyria, Urartu, Babylonia, Media and Persia. This highly illustrated book details their costume, weapons and the way they waged war. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 138 - 1st printing. "British Cavalry Equipments 1800-1941!" Art by Mike Chappell. From the opening years of the 19th century, which saw the first moves towards standardisation and the beginnings of the demise of the system which allowed the colonels of regiments so much say in the equipping of their troops, through the influences of the Napoleonic Wars to the inevitable demise of the horse in military service brought about by the mechanisation prior to the Second World War, this authoritative text examines in detail the historical development of British cavalry equipment 1800-1941. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 140 - 1st printing. "Armies of the Ottoman Turks 1300–1774!" Written by David Nicolle. Art by Angus McBride. The birth of the Ottoman state is shrouded in legend. Whatever the truth of its origins, the Ottoman's formed an Empire which almost succeeded in bringing Christian Europe to its knees. During the last decades of the 13th century, the ambitious Osman Bey's tiny mountain state took eight frontier castles plus the Turkish town of Eskisehir. In 1299 Osman seized Yenisehir after working up the Kara Su valley. With this as its first real capital, the Ottoman state emerged into history poised above the fertile shores of the Sea of Marmara. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 141 - 1st printing. "Napoleon's Line Infantry!" Written by Philip Haythornthwaite. Art by Bryan Fosten. Napoleon's line infantry was founded upon that of the Ancien Régime. A total re-organisation began on 1 January 1791 with the abolition of the old regimental titles, and over the next two years an increasing number of conscript and volunteer battalions were formed. Their quality varied from the proficiency of the early National Guard regiments to the untrained and ill-equipped rabble of the levée. To combine the discipline and steadiness of the regular army with the revolutionary fervour of the new army, the Amalgame was decreed on 21 February; by this measure each regular battalion became the nucleus of a new Demi-Brigade. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 142 - 1st printing. "Partisan Warfare 1941–45!" Written by Nigel Thomas and Peter Abbott. Art by Mike Chappell. During 1941 the Germans occupied first Greece and the former Yuogslavia, then enormous areas of European Russia. Once the front line troops had moved on the struggle continued as bands of resistance fighters waged war against the occupation forces until their final withdrawal. The term 'partisan' is associated with Communist-led bands and they were often the most fanatical defenders of the Soviet realm. However, there were also non-Communist resistance groups which were nationalist and broadly constitutionalist and as a result a complicated three-way war developed. This book details the guerrilla war which was waged in the various regions and the uniforms and equipment of the combatants. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 143 - 1st printing. "Armies of the Vietnam War (2)!" Written by Lee E Russell. Art by Mike Chappell. On 8 march 1965 some 3,500 US Marines, the first US combat troops to arrive in Vietnam, landed in Da Nang to defend the US air base there. On 8 June, following further reinforcements, General Westmoreland authorised his troops to begin 'offensive patrolling'. Lee Russell's follow-up to Men-at-Arms 104 focuses in finer detail on the uniforms and insignia of the US Army and Marines, the ARVN and the NVA. The book is packed with superbly detailed black and white photographs of the forces in the field, and Mike Chappell's excellent illustrations provide key reference material for the contemporary uniforms and battledress. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 144 - 1st printing. "Armies of Medieval Burgundy 1364–1477!" Written by Nicholas Michael. Art by Gerry Embleton. King John the Good of France was captured by the English at the battle of Poitiers in 1356; his 14-year-old son Philip fought valiantly by his side until the bitter end, and as soon as he was in a position to do so, King John rewarded his son's courage and devotion by designating him Duke of Burgundy, a title that by chance had just become extinct. Philip was the first of the Valois Dukes of Burgundy and this fascinating text by Nicholas Michael examines the functioning and organisation of the Burgundian armies from the beginning of his reign until the time of the last of the Valois Dukes; Charles the Bold. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 145 - 1st printing. "The Wars of the Roses!" Written by Terence Wise. Art by Gerry Embleton. Much myth and fantasy surrounds the events of the Wars of the Roses: a bloody and prolonged dynastic struggle between the houses of York and Lancaster. Terence Wise's fascinating text lays bare the real story, and examines the armies, liveries and badges of the conflict. The author's readable account provides a comprehensive guide as to who fought whom, where, when, why and for what, from the origins of the Wars to such famous battles as Tewkesbury and Bosworth. The accompanying photographs, illustrations and colour plates by Gerry Embleton clearly detail the arms, armour and standards of the time. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 146 - 1st printing. "Napoleon's Light Infantry!" Written by Philip Haythornthwaite. Art by Bryan Fosten. Although light infantry tactics formed one of the cornerstones of Napoleonic warfare, their employment was by no means restricted to Light regiments. Thus, from the early 1800s if not before, the distinction between Light and Line infantry was largely one of costume and tradition. One marked difference from the Line infantry, however, was in the superior ésprit de corps of the Light regiments. Their attitude of superiority was reinforced by their different (and often more impressive) uniform, the theoretical difference in role, and supposed superior training. Philip Haythornwaite examines their uniforms in a volume including eight superb colour plates by Brian Fosten. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 147 - 1st printing. "Foreign Volunteers of the Wehrmacht 1941–45!" Written by Carlos Caballero Jurado. Art by Kevin Lyles. When speaking of the units of foreign volunteers integrated into the German forces during World War II, the Waffen-SS automatically comes to mind. But, in absolute numbers, more foreigners served with the Wehrmacht in the army, navy and air force. Anti-Communism was the most significant reason why so many volunteers were induced to wear the German uniform. This title examines the Wehrmacht's foreign volunteers, taking a close look at their uniforms, organisation and distinctive insignia. Among those covered are the Legion Wallanie, LVF, Ostlegionen, Balkan volunteers, Hiwis, Kalmucks, Cossacks, Baltic, Russian and Ukranian volunteers. Softcover, PC/PB&W.