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The US armed forces were responsible for many tactical innovations during the years 1941-45, but in no field was US mastery more complete than amphibious warfare. In the vast, almost empty battlefield of the Pacific the US Navy and Marine Corps were obliged to develop every aspect of the amphibious assault landing in painstaking detail, from the design of many new types of vessel, down to the tactics of the rifle platoon hitting the beach, and the logistic system without which they could not have fought their way inland. This fascinating study offers a clear, succinct explanation of every phase of these operations as they evolved during the war years, illustrated with detailed color plates and photographs.

Osprey's study of Germany's mountain and ski troops of World War II (1939-1945). Fighting in every theatre from the burning sands of North Africa to the icy wastes above the arctic circle the German Army's Gebirgstruppen troops were some of the most effective in the whole of the Wehrmacht. Their esprit de corps and morale were extremely high and their commanders, men such as Eduard Dietl, the 'Hero of Narvik', and Julius 'Papa' Ringel, were idolised by their men. Dietl himself was the first soldier of the Wehrmacht to be awarded the coveted Oakleaves to the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross. In this book Gordon Williamson details the uniforms, organisation and combat histories of these elite troops.

In the 1840s, gold had officially been discovered in California, and many men made their way out West in search of riches. The early mining camps were dangerous places full of violence and crime. Law and order was needed, and the Vigilante Committee became the first organized deliverer of justice in these turbulent new towns. As more and more people headed out West, and many new towns sprang up, a more official system of law was needed. From the days of the California Gold Rush to the killing of Bill Tilghman, the last of the traditional frontier lawmen, this book discusses the men that shaped law and order in the 'Wild, Wild West'.

On 1st September 1939, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was created by Hitler. It was the highest Third Reich award and could be distributed to all ranks within any branch of the Wehrmacht, Waffen-SS or the auxiliary services. This is the first of four books looking at the winners of the Knight's Cross, from 1939-1940.

Osprey''s examination of the British cavalry during the English Civil War (1642-1651). In March 1642, King Charles I, believing that Parliament had gone too far when it issued the Grand Remonstrace, moved to arrest John Pym and four other leaders. That summer Parliament, fearing military action, tried to seize control of the army by issuing orders for soldiers to report to Parliamentary, rather than royal, representatives. The King countered by ordering the bill ignored and raised his own army. Some turned out for the King, some for Parliament, and so the war started. This book examines how the cavalry soldiers of 1642 expected to fight the Civil Wars, and how experience changed their ideas.

Osprey's examination of Samurai commanders during the Gempei Wars (1180-1185), the Onin War (1467-1477), and the early Sengoku period. The samurai were the military elite of medieval and early modern Japan, and the men who led them were hailed as the very greatest, most heroic and most honourable of all samurai warriors. This first of two books examines the lives, equipment, battles and wider roles of the samurai commanders between 940 and 1576, the period from the emergence of the samurai to the triumph of Oda Nobunaga, who set Japan on the road to reunification. The styles of armour and weaponry of the samurai changed considerably during this time and this book visually recreates some of the most famous samurai commanders, such as Taira Masaka (c. 903-940), Minamoto Yorimasa (1106-1180), and Takeda Shingen (1521-1573).

For the first time in English, this book offers a concise but fact-packed account of the organization, equipment, and all operations of Japan's small but elite wartime parachute forces. Correcting and amplifying previous accounts based on wartime intelligence, it traces the Imperial Army's Raiding Regiments and the Imperial Navy's parachute-trained Yokosuka 1st & 3rd Special Naval Landing Forces from the first trials units, through their successful assaults in early 1942, to the last desperate battles and raids of 1944-45. Thetext is illustrated with rare photographs, and meticulouslyreconstructed color artworkof the men and their gear.

In the 17th century, English, French and Dutch buccaneers launched a series of attacks on Spanish towns, ports and shipping. This volume details the buccaneer captains, such as Henry Morgan, the crews of their ships, how they recruited, and how they fought their battles on land and at sea.

The Great Patriotic War began on 22 June 1941, when the Germans invaded the Soviet Union. Over 10 million Soviet soldiers took part in the war and about 12,600 earned the Soviet Union's highest military award for deeds of great daring and sacrifice. This text covers the male recipients of the Hero of the Soviet Union award.

Many British commanders of World War II were veterans of the Great War and their attitudes to war were influenced by this and pre-war training and doctrine. This work examines these influences and the commanders' differing relationships with Churchill.

German helmets from World War II are amongst the most widely collected Third Reich memorabilia, so they are hard to fake and relatively inexpensive. This concise guide for collectors and modellers features many of the different types of helmet used by the army, navy and Luftwaffe.

Osprey's study of the British home front during World War II (1939-1945). The population of Britain was mobilized to support the war effort on a scale unseen in any other Western democracy - or in Nazi Germany. They endured long working shifts, shortages of food and all other goods, and complete government control of their daily lives. Most men and women were conscripted or volunteered for additional tasks outside their formal working hours. Under the air raids that destroyed the centres of many towns and made about 2 million homeless, more than 60,000 civilians were killed and 86,000 seriously injured. This fascinating illustrated summary of wartime life, and the organizations that served on the Home front, is a striking record of endurance and sacrifice.

The Sassanians ruled the last great imperial Empire of Persia before the Arab conquests of the 7th century. Rome's only equal in the classical world, the Sassanian Empire had an enormous impact on the development of architecture, mythology, arts, music, military tactics and technology.

Part of Osprey's "Elite Series", this highly illustrated book looks at the history of military tournaments and combat sports in Europe.

During the Middle Ages siege warfare played a vital role in military strategy. Sieges were far more numerous than pitched battles, ranging from small-scale affairs against palisaded earthworks to full-scale assaults on vast strongholds. Needless to say, the art of siege warfare assumed a unique importance to both invader and defender alike. In this title Christopher Gravett explores the different aspects of medieval siege warfare, from chivalrous formalities to 'surprise and treachery', in a text backed by numerous illustrations including 12 full page colour plates by Richard and Christa Hook.

''A very remarkable people, the Zulu'', the British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, said on hearing of a fresh disaster in the war of 1879, ''They defeat our generals; they convert our bishops; they have settled the fate of a great European dynasty''. Remarkable indeed, to have taken on the full might of the British Empire at its height, and won, if not the war, at least some of the battles. This book explains who the Zulus were, and how they achieved the fame as warriors which they enjoy to this day.

Both India and Pakistan inherited a core of professional, highly trained armed forces after independence in 1947. This volume details the arms, equipment, organization and uniforms of these elite troops of the sub-continent.

Describes and analyzes the history, uniforms, weaponry and military practices of the Marine reconnaissance units, first used during World War II. They consisted of highly-skilled soldiers with the job of reconnoitring proposed targets for amphibious assaults.

The years from 1914 to 1918 saw a whole series of complex and rapid changes in infantry tactics, which fundamentally altered the way wars had been fought for 150 years. This study describes the development of infantry equipment and weapons and how these items and techniques were employed in battle.

Britain's leading historian of Samurai warfare describes, explains and illustrates the strikingly colourful heraldry of the great warring families and their feudal armies in medieval Japan. Illustrated with many identified examples.

Napoleon's military successes were due to a large degree to the efficiency of his command and control systems. These comprised the great and small imperial headquarters both staffed by members of the military and civil households. This title shows how their functions slotted together into a system.

A discussion of the famous commanders of the American War of Independence, including the story behind such controversial figures as Benedict Arnold. American, British, French and Spanish leaders are all covered in detail, and there are anecdotes and quotations to bring these figures to life.

An analysis of the role of the Frontier scout of the US Army between the years 1840 and 1921. It demonstrates how these people used their unique skills to help American expansion in the West, and looks at many colourful characters such as Tom Horn, "Wild Bill" Hikock and Mickey Free.

Sieges played a central role in the many conflicts of the Ancient World and many famous generals, including Alexander the Great, Hannibal, Julius Caesar and Trajan, successfully used siegecraft to gain their objectives.

The largest, but least-known of all Britain's elite wartime Commando raiding units, No.10 (Inter-Allied) was recruited from volunteers from many nations who had fled to Britain after their own countries fell to the Nazis. Alongside Poles, Frenchmen, Dutchmen, Belgians and Norwegians, the unit included a small number of remarkably brave German and Austrian refugees. These commandos took part in daring raids, intelligence missions and conventional infantry battles, earning many decorations for gallantry and leadership. Detailing the wartime exploits of these courageous fighters, some of whom went on to form the nucleus of their liberated nations' new special forces, this book gives an insight into a fascinating unit that is often overlooked.

Describes and analyzes the history, uniforms, weaponry and military practices of United Nations peace-keeping forces since 1948, which have been deployed in trouble-spots across the globe, including two major wars, in Korea and the Gulf, fought under the UN banner.

The Condor Legion was the expeditionary force of soldiers and airmen sent by Hitler to aid Franco's Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War. The Germans used the war as an opportunity to develop equipment and tactics, and their force included not only instructors, but also combat units of artillery, tanks and aircraft. These units tested guns, tanks and planes and perfected techniques which were used in the 1940 Blitzkrieg. Many of officers prominent in the early campaigns of World War II won their first successes in Spain. This book details the Legion and its unique uniform and insignia.

Osprey's examination of German air forces of World War I (1914-1918). The Imperial German Army Air Service of World War I grew from just 500 men in 1914 to 80,000 in 1918, inventing in the process a wholly new form of warfare. The exploits of the first fighter 'aces' have been widely celebrated, and have tended to overshadow the other, equally important branches of the fighting air forces - the reconnaissance and ground attack units, the airships and strategic bombers. This concise but fact-packed guide to both the Army and Naval Air Services - their command, organization, strength, training, support services andoperations - offers a morebalanced picture, while giving the heroes of the Jagdstaffeln their full due. Uniforms and flying clothing are described in detail, and illustrated with rare photographs and meticulous colour plates.

Osprey's study of the ground forces of the Cold War (1946-1991). While much has been published on the armed forces of the USSR during the 1980s, surprisingly little is available on the forces supplied by the other member nations of the Warsaw Pact. Rivalling the size of the United States Army, the combined ground forces of the six non-Soviet Warsaw Pact countries totalled over 775,000 active troops, with almost two million ground forces reserves. This book examines the history, organization and uniforms of the often overlooked DDR, Czechoslovak, Polish, Bulgarian, Hungarian and Romanian forces at the end of the Cold War.