Latest Releases From Osprey Publishing

Latest Releases From Osprey Publishing We take a look at the recent releases from Osprey Publishing.

US Destroyers 1934–45: Pre-war classes New Vanguard 162; Author: Dave McComb; Illustrator: Paul Wright About This Book Since the beginning of the 20th century, destroyers have been all-purpose ships, indispensable in roles large and small – from delivering the mail at sea to screening other vessels and, where larger ships were not present, forming the front line in battle. This title details the 169 ships of ten classes introduced in the 1930s: early 1,500-tonners and 1,850-ton destroyer leaders designed to conform to the 1930 London Naval Treaty, plus the successor 1,570-ton Sims class and 1,620-ton and 1,630-ton Benson and Gleaves classes. In wartime, most 1,500-tonners and leaders initially saw front line duty in the Pacific but were relegated to secondary assignments as newer vessels arrived; while the later 1,620- and 1,630-tonners became the standard destroyers of the Atlantic War. This volume reveals the fascinating design story behind these pioneering classes – from the constraints of peacetime treaties to advances in propulsion engineering, and wartime modifications. With an operational overview of their service and tables listing all ships by class, builder, and initial squadron, this is the definitive guide to the pre-war US destroyer classes. Paperback; January 2010; 48 pages; ISBN: 9781846034435

Italian Blackshirt 1935–45 Warrior 144; Authors: Pier Paolo Battistelli Piero Crociani; Illustrator: Giuseppe Rava About This Book This book documents the experiences of the Italian armed Fascist militia, the Camicie Nere (Blackshirts), from the Italian–Ethiopian war of 1935–36, through the Spanish Civil War to the end of World War II. It explores their origins, development, recruitment, training, conditions of service, uniforms and equipment, battle experience, political and ideological motivation. The Blackshirt legions were raised under army control from 1928, and were employed in 1933 in Libya in counterinsurgency operations against the Senussi tribes; from 1935 in Italy’s war against Ethiopia; and during the Spanish Civil War. Following the outbreak of World War II, the Blackshirts fought in North Africa, Greece, Croatia, on the Eastern Front and finally in Italy itself following the Allied invasion. Paperback; January 2010; 64 pages; ISBN: 9781846035050

Brewster F2A Buffalo Aces of World War 2 Aircraft of the Aces 91; Authors: Kari Stenman Andrew Thomas;Illustrator: Chris Davey About This Book Although designed and built for the US Navy, the F2A fought in only one major US engagement, the battle of Midway, in which F2A pilots managed to shoot down a number of Japanese fighters. Soon replaced by the navy, the F2A was exported to Britain, where it was nicknamed the ‘Buffalo’ thanks to its stubby appearance. The British sent most of these fighters to the Far East where they were used in the defence of Singapore and Malaya. It was in the Winter War, however, that the F2A truly found a home. Calling the plane simply the Brewster, the Finnish flew it against the invading Russians. Overall 37 Finns achieved ace status flying the Brewster, and it was the Finnish fighter of choice until succeeded by the Bf 109 in 1943. Paperback; January 2010; 96 pages; ISBN: 9781846034817

The Mongol Invasions of Japan 1274 and 1281 Campaign 217; Author: Stephen Turnbull; Illustrator: Richard Hook About This Book From his seat in Xanadu, the great Mongol Emperor of China, Kubla Khan, had long plotted an invasion of Japan. However, it was only with the acquisition of Korea, that the Khan gained the maritime resources necessary for such a major amphibious operation. Written by expert Stephen Turnbull, this book tells the story of the two Mongol invasions of Japan against the noble Samurai. Using detailed maps, illustrations, and newly commissioned artwork, Turnbull charts the history of these great campaigns, which included numerous bloody raids on the Japanese islands, and ended with the famous kami kaze, the divine wind, that destroyed the Mongol fleet and would live in the Japanese consciousness and shape their military thinking for centuries to come. Paperback; January 2010; 96 pages; ISBN: 9781846034565

Lost Scroll - The Ancient and Medieval World at War Field of Glory 13; Author: Richard Bodley Scott; Illustrator: Peter Dennis About This Book Lost Scrolls, the 13th and final Field of Glory Companion presents some of the armies most often requested by members of the Field of Glory community. From Beja and Tuareg hordes to Vietnamese and German City League armies, there is something for everyone to be found in Lost Scrolls. This volume also includes Seven Hills, a mini-theme for Field of Glory campaigns, covering Etruscans, Samnites, Horatius at the bridge and all the armies and enemies of the early Roman Republic. Paperback; January 2010; 80 pages; ISBN: 9781849081580

The Fortifications of Ancient Israel and Judah 1200–586 BC Fortress 91; Author: Samuel Rocca; Illustrator: Adam Hook About This Book This book provides a detailed study of the fortifications of the founders of ancient Israel from the time of their first settlement in the Middle East, through the periods of the united and divided kingdoms, until the sack of Jerusalem in 586 BC. It begins in the period of Israelite settlement in the First Iron Age period (1200–1000 BC). The extensive fortifications created by the famous kings Saul, David and Solomon are covered, including Gibeah, Jerusalem, Megiddo, Hazor and Gezer, which are described in the Bible. The period of the Divided Monarchy saw the creation of two separate political entities: the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The enemies the two kingdoms faced in this period included Moab, Edom, and the Arameans as well as the mighty empires of Assyria, Babylonia and Egypt. This book is a must-have for fans of warfare in the ancient Middle East. Paperback; February 2010; 64 pages; ISBN: 9781846035081

Strongholds of the Picts - The Fortifications of Dark Age Scotland Fortress 92; Author: Angus Konstam; Illustrator: Peter Dennis About This Book When the Romans withdrew from Britain, the north of the country was ruled by the most mysterious of the ancient British races, the Picts. Much of what is known about these “painted” warriors, comes from the remains of the fortifications that they left scattered around Scotland. Although the Picts are famous as sea raiders, they were also subjected to attacks from a number of opponents. To their south, the Romano-British reoccupied the abandoned Roman fortifications and hired Saxon mercenaries to strike against the Picts. Meanwhile, from the west a new group, the Scoti, attacked from Ireland. This book covers the fortification of the ancient Picts in all their conflicts and discusses the importance of these sites as religious centres and seats of power, while using the latest archeological evidence to help unravel the mystery of this ancient race. Paperback; February 2010; 64 pages; ISBN: 9781846036866

F-105 Thunderchief Units of the Vietnam War Combat Aircraft 84; Author: Peter Davies; Illustrator: Jim Laurier About This Book Facing the most formidably concentrated air defences in history, pilots of the F-105D flew against North Vietnamese targets day after day during the 43 months of Operation Rolling Thunder. Despite its limited maneuverability and the lack of self-sealing fuel tanks, which made it susceptible to combat damage, the ‘bombers’ shot down 27 MiG fighters in 1966 – 67. This book illustrates the importance of the Thunderchief in the Rolling Thunder campaign, including the pioneering suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD) methods developed by the F-105 ‘Wild Weasel’ crews. Discussing the aircraft’s strengths and weaknesses and using first-hand narratives, Peter Davies captures the essence of flying the ‘Thud’ against heavy defences, and describes the development of wartime tactics and the heroic accomplishments of a selection of its aircrew. Paperback; February 2010; 96 pages; ISBN: 9781846034923

Maginot Line 1940- Battles on the French Frontier Campaign 218; Authors: Marc Romanych Martin Rupp; Illustrator: John White About This Book Constructed throughout the 1930s, the Maginot Line was supposed to form the ultimate defence against a German invasion of France. However, different sections of the line were built at different times and the strength of various sections varied widely. During their Blitzkrieg invasion, the Germans were able to identify these weak points and focus their attacks against them. This book uses new maps and period photographs to tell the story of the five German operations launched against the Maginot Line. While the Germans were able to smash through the lightly defended section of the line along the Meuse River, at other points the line held. Although ultimately the Maginot Line was to prove a failure, the stiff resistance put up by some of the fortresses confirms the fighting ability of the French army during the invasion. Paperback; February 2010; 96 pages; ISBN: 9781846034992