Today we're showing three pieces of artwork from our November 2024 series books! Let us know in the comments which books you'd like to see featured in our December 2024 Artwork Reveal!

 

Blood River 1838: The Zulu–Boer War and the Great Trek

By Ian Knight

Illustrated by Adam Hook

 

THE CLIMAX OF THE BATTLE OF THE THUKELA, 17 APRIL 1838

The battle of the Thukela represented the first clash between an army influenced by British military techniques and the Zulu army – a scenario which would be played out many times as the century wore on. Although the settlers of the ‘Grand Army of Natal’ were civilians, one of them, Robert Joyce, was a deserter from the British Army and had trained some of the African auxiliaries in the rudiments of British musketry drill. Although the settlers, in their exotic and individualistic frontier style of dress, had no military structure otherwise, the musket-men were able to check the advance of the Zulus for some time. When the settlers split their command, however – probably due to overconfidence – the Zulu commanders were able to use the ground to shield their men from the worst effects of the settler firepower and outflank the overstretched ‘Grand Army’ line. This image shows the moment the settler line begins to collapse and retreat past the burning ‘Ndondakusuka homestead. Some of the auxiliaries turned and fled, many tearing off the white armbands which marked their allegiance, and once the Zulus were able to get close enough to charge, the ‘Grand Army’ collapsed. Although details of the Zulu force are imprecise, the imiHaye ibutho was strongly represented and, as was still common in King Dingane’s time, they wore their full ceremonial regalia, which apparently consisted of a bunch of vulture feathers at the back of the head and several tall russet stork feathers at the front. Their shields were dark brown or black, with white patches on one or both sides. The use of throwing spears, unpopular in King Shaka’s time, proved particularly effective in engagements such as this, a shower of spears offering an opportunity to disrupt the enemy’s lines and discourage them from reloading their muskets before a charge hit home.

Artwork requested by Paul Williams.

 

Gladiators 1st–5th centuries AD

By François Gilbert

Illustrated by Giuseppe Rava

 

GLADIATORS, AD 200–250
From left to right (1 & 2) Paegnarii, c.ad 200 This duel between paegnarii is detailed on a beautiful mosaic from Nennig (Germany; see p.27). They wear coloured leggings, but only one gladiator also has a tunic, tucked into his legwear. The legs are trimmed with strips of fabric. The left arm is enclosed in a rigid sleeve, or padded fabric, which encompasses the hand. This armband is made up of two parts that hug the arm and are linked by straps. The shirtless man wears a decorated leather shell on his shoulder and fights with a stick, while his opponent uses a whip. Both have another curved stick in their left hand, to deflect blows.

(3) Hoplomachus, c.ad 200
This hoplomachus is inspired by that shown in a mosaic from Bad Kreuznach, Germany (see p.20). He wears a Berlin helmet, but with the pointed crest of his armatura. The laurel wreath is visible on a Turkish bas-relief. We see the ties of his hood. Under his blue loincloth, he wears white pants with red stripes. This detail is also visible on a mosaic from Verona (see p.10). Under the buckle of his belt, on the back, hangs a piece of reinforcing leather. It is decorated with a Gorgon head, as shown on the handle of a penknife from the Musée romain d’Avenches (France). The decoration of the greaves is inspired by an ivory statuette, which also shows the shield motif. Curiously, this hoplomachus has a second armband on the left arm, to better support the shield.

(4) Provocator, c.ad 250
A stele from the Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi (Ankara, Turkey; see p.18) details the equipment of the provocator Chrisampelos. His helmet is close to the Berlin type. The top is stamped to simulate a head of hair; he even has a bun. His pectoral is copied from a relief at the Afrodisias Müzesi (Turkey). The straps that cross at the back are considerably longer than earlier examples, and in some depictions fall all the way to the feet, weighted with a pendant. The loincloth has also evolved: the skirt is pushed aside and reveals the loincloth. The belt closure, with crossed laces, is once again at the front. The abdominal girdle is decorated with scales; his padded gaiters are coloured in different shades. The left thigh is covered by an embroidered legging. Also note the mail elbow piece on the manica.

(5) Essedarius, c.ad 250
This man has taken off his helmet (the same as that of the provocatores), allowing a clear view of his multicoloured hood. This depiction draws upon several different images, especially the Madrid mosaic (found near the Via Appia, Rome; see p.21) for the colours. He wears padded gaiters. His two-tone loincloth is inspired by the House of the Gladiators mosaic (Kourion, Cyprus; see p.13). On this mosaic, the characteristic swords lacking points are evident. The decorations on the loincloth and the abdominal girdle are drawn from bas-reliefs.

Artwork requested by Daniel Figueroa Giraldez.

 

Son Tay 1970: The Operation Ivory Coast POW rescue mission

By Justin W. Williamson

Illustrated by Edouard A. Groult and Irene Cano Rodríguez

 

THE AIR BATTLE OVER SON TAY


Simultaneous to the ground assault, a carefully choreographed air operation was underway that saw over 100 aircraft involved in the largest air operation over North Vietnam since the bombing halt of 1968. Navy aircraft from USS Ranger and USS Oriskany, like the A-7 Corsair IIs in the upper left, conducted diversionary raids or SAM suppression “Iron Hand” missions over Haiphong Harbor and Hanoi. C-130s Cherry 1 and Cherry 2, center left, would lead the helicopters and A-1 Skyraiders to Son Tay and then drop flares and battlefield simulators around Son Tay to confuse the North Vietnamese where main attack was occurring. Air Force A-1 Skyraiders, bottom right, would fly close air support to drive back any North Vietnamese ground forces converging on Son Tay to stop the rescue. The North Vietnamese air defenses, once they realized what was happening, fought back ferociously, unleashing a steady barrage of SA-2 SAMs at the American aircraft, successfully hitting two. Firebird 3, a F-105 Thunderchief, was hit first and had to leave the battle space. Firebird 5, another F-105 Thunderchief took its place and was hit in turn. Pilot Major Donald W. Kilgus and Weapons Operator Captain Clarence T. Lowry were forced to eject at 0315hrs on November 21 and were rescued several hours later.