Tuesday, 5 June 2012

Osprey - Men at Arms 235 - The Army of Gustavus Adolphus (Vol 1) - Infantry(PDF)


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Illustrator: Richard Hook
About this book
The 'Lion of the North', King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, was one of the major players in the Thirty Years War of 1618-48. In 1630 Gustavus - the last champion of the Protestants - crushed the Catholics at Breitenfeld in a victory widely viewed as the fulfillment of a prophecy foretelling the defeat of the eagle (the German Emperor's emblem) by a golden lion. Killed in battle at Lützen only two years later, Gustavus nevertheless won fame for his technical and tactical innovations. The first of two volumes, this book examines the equipment, uniforms and organization of the infantry that comprised Gustavus's army.
Contents
Introduction · The Military Background · The Conscript Army · Mercenaries · Infantry Arms and Armour · Infantry Uniforms and Clothing · The Plates
Paperback; July 1991; 48 pages; ISBN: 9780850459975
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Osprey - Men at Arms 085 - Saxons, Normans and Vikings(PDF)

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Author: Terence Wise
Illustrator: Gerry Embleton
About this book
If there is one thing we can be sure of concerning the Saxons, Vikings and Normans who inhabited the medieval world, it is that they were a good deal more advanced than some writings would have us believe. This fascinating book by Terence Wise explores the history, organization, clothing, equipment and weapons of Saxon, Viking and Norman peoples, covering wide-ranging topics such as Anglo-Saxon shields, Viking raiding ships and the organization of Norman armies.The absorbing and readable text is enriched by numerous illustrations and museum photographs with commentaries, plus eight superbly drawn full page colour plates by renowned military artist Gerry Embleton.
Contents
Introduction · The Saxons · The Vikings · The Normans · The Plates
Paperback; March 1979; 48 pages; ISBN: 9780850453010
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Monday, 4 June 2012

Osprey - Men at Arms 060 - Scandinavian Armies in the Napoleonic Wars(PDF)

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Illustrator: Michael Roffe
About this book
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.
Contents
Introduction · Copenhagen 1807 · Russia invades Finland · The 1813 Campaigns · The Plates
Paperback; June 1976; 48 pages; ISBN: 9780850452525
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Author: Ian Heath
Illustrator: Angus McBride
About this book
In this worthy addition to the Elite series, Ian Heath transports us to the time of the Vikings examining their epic journeys and the ships they made them in, their methods of warfare - the organisation of their armies and tactics employed, their appearance and equipment and the general history of these fascinating warrior-explorers. His authoritative text is backed by many fine illustrations and photographs including 12 stunning full colour plates by Angus McBride, one of the world's most respected military artists.
Contents
Who were the Vikings? · Viking ships · The Vikings abroad · The Vikings in England: 9th-10th centuries · The Vikings in Ireland: the Battle of Clontarf · The Vikings in the east · The Varangian Guard · The Vikings in England: the 11th century · Viking warfare · Tactics · The Jomsvikings · Berserks and Wolfcoats · The Raven standard · Further reading
Paperback; May 1985; 64 pages; ISBN: 9780850455656




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Osprey - Campaign 068 - Lützen 1632 (PDF)

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Illustrator: Graham Turner
About this book
The Thirty Years War, a religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants, raged across Europe between 1618 and 1648, devastating huge areas of Germany. By 1632 the Protestant powers were in a desperate situation until King Gustavus Adolphus II of Sweden, 'the Lion of the North', came to their rescue. This book describes how, having smashed one of the two main Catholic armies, he faced the other at Lützen near Leipzig in November 1632. In a nightmare battle fought in thick fog, his Swedish troops locked horns with the Imperial army. It was a bloody clash, in which Gustavus himself demonstrated true courage at the head of his cavalry - and one for which he would pay the ultimate price.
Contents

  • Introduction
  • The German Crusade
  • The Opposing Commanders
  • The Opposing Armies
  • The Campaign
  • Battle Arrays
  • The Battle: 16 November
  • Casualties
  • Aftermath and Conclusions
  • Who Won?
  • Fahnenflucht Trials
  • The Battlefield Today
  • Chronology
  • Index
Paperback; February 2001; 96 pages; ISBN: 9781855325524

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Osprey - Campaign 046 - Lake Peipus 1242 Battle of the Ice (PDF)


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Author: David Nicolle
Illustrator: Angus McBride

About this book
The battle of Lake Peipus took place in 1242 between the Teutonic Knights and the Russian city-state of Novgorod, led by its inspirational leader Alexandre Nevskii. The Teutonic Knights were a powerful military order, backed with the crusading zeal of Europe, the blessing of the Pope and the support of the Holy Roman Emperor. This battle, although little-known in the west, was important in the history of the medieval eastern crusades, the Teutonic defeat having a serious effect on future events. David Nicolle's excellent text examines the Crusade against Novgorod and the fierce fighting around the frozen shores of Lake Peipus.
Contents
·                       The Origins of the Campaign
·                       The Opposing Commanders
·                       Opposing Forces
·                       Opposing Plans
·                       The Campaign
·                       The Battle of Lake Peipus
·                       Aftermath and Reckoning
·                       The Battlefields Today
·                       Chronology
·                       Further Reading
·                       Wargaming Lake Peipus
Paperback; March 1996; 96 pages; ISBN: 9781855325531

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Osprey - Campaign 034 - Poltava 1709 (PDF)

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Author: Angus Konstam
About this book
Poltava marked the demise of Sweden as a European great power and the rise of Russia. In 1707, the seemingly invincible Charles XII led his army deep into Russia. It was to prove his undoing - the long march eroded the fighting strength of the invaders; a vital supply convoy was lost; and the winter of 1708/9 was the worst in living memory. Drawing upon primary source material previously unseen in the west, Angus Konstam recounts the events, looking in particular at how this battle led to the destruction of the Swedish Army,
Contents
·                       The Origins of the Campaign
·                       The Opposing Commanders
·                       The Opposing Armies
·                       The Opposing Plans
·                       The Campaign
·                       The Battle
·                       Aftermath
·                       Chronology
·                       A Guide to Further Reading
·                       The Battlefield Today
·                       Wargaming the Poltava Campaign


Paperback; October 1994; 96 pages; ISBN: 9781855324169



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