Osprey Men-at-Arms Series SC (1973-2011 OSPREY) comic books 2008

Volume 444 - 1st printing. "Napoleon's Mounted Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard!" Written by Ronald Pawly. Art by Patrice Courcelle. A concise history of the hand-picked elite cavalry guard that served as Napoleon's close personal escort and were committed to the most dangerous areas of combat on the battlefield. Formed from his original escort of 'Guides' and the 'Consular Guard' in 1799, the Mounted Chasseurs were a personal favourite of the Emperor, who wore their uniform on campaign. Ronald Pawly's unique research into regimental archives has uncovered unprecedented detail about this exceptional unit and its soldiers and officers. With their colourful uniforms recreated in full-colour artwork and accounts of their actions in the most critical Napoleonic battles, this book provides a comprehensive description of these legendary elite soldiers. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 445 - 1st printing. "Medieval Polish Armies 966-1500!" Written by Witold Sarnecki and David Nicolle. Art by Gerry Embleton and Sam Embleton. The history of Poland is a fascinating story of a people struggling to achieve nationhood in the face of internal and external conflict. Poland became a unified Christian state in AD 966 and by the 12th century a knightly class had emerged - a force that was integral to the defence of Poland against increasingly frequent foreign invasions. Intent on crushing rival Christian states, the Templars, Hospitallers and Teutonic Knights all mounted attacks but were beaten back by the Poles, as were invading Mongols and Turks. This book reveals the organisation, equipment and battle histories of the medieval Polish armies as they developed and modernised to emerge as one of the dominant powers of Eastern Europe. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 446 - 1st printing. "The Confederate Army 1861-65 (6)!" Written by Ron Field. Art by Richard Hook. The Southern states which formed the Confederacy in 1861 fielded many units of volunteer troops wearing a remarkably wide variety of uniforms, often reflecting foreign influences. In a spirit of independence many states also issued their own uniform regulations on the outbreak of the American Civil War; and these non-standard uniforms were often retained until well into the course of the war. The regulation patterns centrally prescribed by the Confederate Army were only ever followed unevenly, and state quartermasters continued to issue uniforms showing regional and state differences. This last in a series of six titles studies the archival and pictorial evidence for the infantry, cavalry and artillery of the final states to secede from the Union - Missouri, Kentucky and Maryland - and is illustrated with fascinating early photographic portraits. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 448 - 1st printing. "Irish-American Units in the Civil War !" Written by Thomas G. Rodgers. Art by Richard Hook. Some 150,000 Irish-American immigrants served in the Union Army, most of them from Boston, New York and Chicago, and about 40,000 fought in the Confederate Army. Out of the array of Irish-American units involved in the conflict, perhaps the best known was the Irish Brigade of the Union Army of the Potomac, which distinguished itself at both Antietam and, particularly, at Fredericksburg, where its sacrificial bravery astonished friend and foe alike. Other famous regiments were New York's 'Fighting 69th', the 9th Massachusetts, 116th Pennsylvania, 23rd Illinois and 35th Indiana whilst several other Irish companies made a name for themselves at Shiloh, Chickamauga and other key battles. This book provides a brief overview of the history of the units on each side of the conflict and a comprehensive survey of all Irish-American units in both Union and Confederate armies, from brigade down to company size. Rare early photographs are a poignant addition to the story of the immigrants caught up in a vicious civil war, and detailed colour plates illustrate unit distinctions and flags in a book that is essential reading for any Civil War enthusiast. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 449 - 1st printing. "The Royal Hungarian Army in World War II!" Written by Nigel Thomas and Laszlo Szabo. Art by Darko Pavlovic. The Royal Hungarian Army was Germany's largest ally on the Eastern Front, but information about the Hungarian Army in English is rare. Deployed in Ukraine at the beginning of the war, the Hungarian Army was involved in a number of brutal encounters with the Red Army, including stubborn resistance in Transylvania in the summer of 1944, and the brave defense of Budapest in the face of overwhelming odds. The Hungarian Army was a varied and colourful force, ranging from mountain troops and tank units to horse cavalry and specialist infantry. All of these are illustrated in full-colour artwork, with full details about the Hungarian Army's own, quite distinct uniforms and insignia as well as many of its own weapons and tanks. This is an essential starter resource for wargamers, modelers, re-enactors and military historians. Softcover, PC/PB&W.

Volume 450 - 1st printing. "American Loyalist Troops 1775-84!" Written by René Chartrand. Art by Gerry Embleton and Sam Embleton. To celebrate the 450th titlein the Men-at-Arms series,this book examines in muchmore depth than previouslythe units and the uniforms of a still-controversialarmy: the many thousandsof American colonists who chose to fight for King George during the Revolution. As well as the better-known corps from the Atlantic seaboard, the author covers the units raised for service against the Spanish in the Floridas, the Caribbean islands and Central America. The text is illustrated with portraits, photographs of rare surviving artefacts, and with color reconstructions by Gerry Embleton, the respected expert on 18th century American forces whose work was recently exhibited in the Smithsonian Institute. Softcover, PC/PB&W.