At its peak the Italian Army contributed 2.5 million troops to the Axis war effort. English-speaking readers tend to think of this army in terms of the North African campaign; but far more Italian troops served in other theatres. They invaded, and later bore the major burden of occupying, the Balkan countries; and Italy sent 250,000 troops to fight on the Russian Front. In this, the first of a three-part study, Philip Jowett covers the European theatre including Russia from 1940 to Italy's armistice with the Allies in 1943. Many interesting uniforms, a number of them new to most readers, are meticulously illustrated by Stephen Andrew.

Philip Jowett is a 'small wars' enthusiast who has developed a reputation for primary source research and previously unseen material. His first book for Osprey MAA 306 Chinese Civil War Armies 1911-49 received excellent reviews for precisely these qualities. Having moved on to cover 'bigger' conflicts, Philip has maintained the quality of his research and information.

Stephen Andrew has, in the last few years, established himself as one of the best illustrators of military subjects working today. The detailed, gritty artwork he has produced for Osprey has made him one of our most popular artists. Born in 1961 in Glasgow (where he still lives and works), Stephen is entirely self-taught, and worked as a junior in advertising and design agencies before becoming a freelance illustrator in 1993. Military history is his passion, and since 1997 he has illustrated Osprey titles including MAA 306 Chinese Civil War Armies 1911-49, and the five-part sequence on the World War II German Army.