In this next news story from Osprey there are five books that will be released this month and in November. They cover military units from the UK, Italy, New Zealand, Bolivia, and Paraguay (during the Chaco War 1932 – 35), and so should appeal to a broad range of interests. During the course of writing this series of news reports my eyes have been opened as to just how broad the scope of military endeavours are that are covered by Osprey Publishing.

The information provided on the books below is from the Osprey Publishing website.

The New Zealand Expeditionary Force in World War I
£9.99
Men-at-Arms 473
Author: Wayne Stack
Illustrator: Mike Chappell
About this book
The New Zealand Expeditionary Force earned an elite reputation on the Western Front In World War I, and the New Zealanders’ war effort was a defining moment in their national history. The statistics are astonishing: of the total population of New Zealand of 1 million, no fewer than 100,000 men enlisted, and of those, 18,000 were killed and 58,000 wounded. In other words, 15 percent of the male population of New Zealand became casualties. Famously, the NZEF was first committed at Gallipoli in 1915, but NZ cavalry regiments also helped defend Egypt and fought in Palestine with Allenby’s famous Desert Mounted Corps. On the Western Front the Kiwis were called the ‘Silent Division’ for their fieldcraft and their uncomplaining professionalism. This book is both a tribute and a history of the contribution made by a small nation.
Contents
• Pre-war military training and organization - the Territorial Force
• Raising the Expeditionary Force, 1914 - organizations - volunteers and conscripts
• Chronology of campaigns
• Samoa
• Gallipoli
• Egypt and Palestine
• The Western Front
• Evolution of the NZ Division: structure - command - personnel - uniforms - equipment - tactics
• Plate commentaries: uniform and insignia details
Paperback; October 2011; 48 pages; ISBN: 9781849085397

Desert Rat 1940–43
British and Commonwealth troops in North Africa
£11.99
Warrior 160
Author: Tim Moreman
Illustrator: Steve Noon
About this book
The Desert Rats earned their famous nickname fighting against Axis forces in North Africa. At first the name referred to troops of the 7th Armoured Division, but later expanded to cover all Commonwealth troops: British, Australian, New Zealand and Indian, who fought in the desert from 1940–43. This book opens with a look at the unique conditions that the Desert Rats encountered in the Western Desert, then examines the recruitment and training of the men, and the evolving fighting methods and training of what eventually became the Eighth Army. Using photographs and newly commissioned artwork, the book also covers the distinctive dress, equipment and weapons carried into battle by the Desert Rats.
Contents
• Introduction
• Chronology
• Recruitment
• Enlistment
• Training
• Appearance
• Equipment
• Conditions of Service
• On Campaign
• Belief and Belonging
• Experience of Battle
• The end of the war in North Africa and assessment of the Desert Rats
• Collecting
• Museums
• Re-enactment
• Bibliography
• Glossary
• Index
Paperback; November 2011; 64 pages; ISBN: 9781849085014

The Chaco War 1932–35
South America’s greatest modern conflict
£9.99
Men-at-Arms 474
Author: Alejandro de Quesada
Illustrator: Ramiro Bujeiro
About this book
The Chaco War was massive territorial war between Bolivia and Paraguay, which cost almost a 100,000 lives. An old fashioned territorial dispute, the contested area was the Gran Chaco Boreal, a 100,000-square mile region of swamp, jungle and pampas with isolated fortified towns. The wilderness terrain made operations difficult and costly as the war see-sawed between the two sides. Bolivian troops, under the command of a German general, Hans von Kundt, had early successes, but these stalled in the face of a massive mobilization programme by the Paraguans which saw their force increase in size ten-fold to 60,000 men. This book sheds light on a vicious territorial war that waged in the jungles and swamps of the Gran Chaco and is illustrated with rare photographs and especially commissioned artwork.
Contents
• Historical Introduction
• Chronology
• Campaigns and Battles
• Bolivia - organization, uniforms, equipment, weapons
• Paraguay – organization, uniforms, equipment, weapons
Paperback; November 2011; 48 pages; ISBN: 9781849084161

The SAS in World War II: An Illustrated History
£20.00
Author: Gavin Mortimer
About this book
In his new book, WWII historian Gavin Mortimer examines the pivotal events of one of the most famous military units of all time. Starting with the unit’s formation in July 1941, Mortimer recreates the heady days when a young Scots’ Guard officer called David Stirling persuaded MEHQ to give its backing to a small band of 60 men christened ‘L Detachment.’ From there, drawing on over 100 hours of interviews with veterans (much of which has never before been published) he describes the early raids in the desert against Axis airfields that inflicted a deadly cost on the enemy. Embellished with 150 stunning photographs, the majority of which have never before been printed, the book also features side panels on the Lewes bomb, selection and training of personnel, the importance of the French and Belgian squadrons and how the French resistance helped the regiment in 1944.
Contents
• Foreword
• Introduction
• Early Operations
• Later War Years
• Conclusion
• Index
Hardback; November 2011; 256 pages; ISBN: 9781849086462

Italian Army Elite Units & Special Forces 1940–43
£11.99
Elite 99
Author: Pier Paolo Battistelli
Illustrator: Johnny Shumate
About this book
Italian military historian Pier Paolo Battistelli examines the elite and specialforces units of the Italian Army during World War II. This includes a vast array of troop types, including paratroopers, assault engineers, sea-landing and swimmer units, long-range recce and ski units, and even hand-picked Fascist ‘Mussolini’ units. It also delves into the specialist tank and armoured units that were created to emulate the German armoured units. While the Italian units discussed enjoyed mixed success, the volume draws attention to the incredibly hard fighting done by some in the deserts of North Africa and the frozen wastelands of Russia. Illustrated with rare archival photographs and specially commissioned artwork, this is a fascinating insight into a little-studied aspect of Axis forces.
Contents
• Introduction
• Elite units – armour: tank and mechanized units of ‘Centauro’, ‘Ariete’ & ‘Littorio’ divisions, and ‘Trento’ and ‘Trieste’ motorized divisions – scout groups, armoured scout units
• Paratroopers: experimental units – ‘Folgore’ and ‘Nemdo’ divisions
• Assault engineers: 31st and 32nd ‘Guastatori’ battalions
• Special Units: ‘Monte Cervino’ ski battalions – X Arditi regiment: paratrooper, swimmer and LRRP companies – ’Red Arrows’ Group: Arab, Indian turncoat, and Italian assault volunteer battalions
• Fascist ‘Mussolini’ units: sea-landing battalions, tank units
Paperback; November 2011; 64 pages; ISBN: 9781849085953