Today we're showing three pieces of artwork from our June 2026 series books! Let us know in the comments which books you'd like to see featured in our July 2026 Artwork Reveal!

 

Königgrätz 1866: The Creation of Modern Germany

By Angus Konstam

Illustrated by Manuel Krommenacker

Artwork showing the battle of Königgrätz 1866

THE SAXON COUNTER-ATTACK NEAR PROBLUS, 1145HRS, 3 JULY 1866

This shows the moment at 1145hrs when Hausen ordered his brigade to advance. At the western edge of the Fasanerie, 500 yards away, the position of the Prussians is revealed by smoke from their rifles, although at that range there was little chance of hitting anything. Each Saxon battalion of 1,000 men was arrayed in four ranks – or three if the skirmishers were deployed. By 1200hrs, Hausen’s men had cleared the Prussians from the Fasanerie, although both sides suffered casualties. This success helped bolster the crown prince’s position, shortly before the Elbe Army launched its main attack on the Saxon position around Problus.

Art requested by Karl Dietrich.

 

Armies in North Russia and Siberia 1918–20

By Phoebus Athanassiou

Illustrated by Adam Hook

Artwork of three soldiers in uniform, The Royal Fusiliers, warrant officer from the canadian field artillery brigade, Royal Marine Light Infantry,

BRITISH AND CANADIAN FORCES

Left: Private, 46th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), Osinova, June 1919

Centre: Warrant officer, 67 Bty, 16th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade, North Russia, May 1919

Right: Corporal, 6th Battalion, Royal Marine Light Infantry, Vladivostok, August 1918

Art requested by Brandon Ray.

 

US Liberty Ship vs German Surface Raider: The Battle of the Atlantic 1942

By Mark Lardas

Illustrated by Edouard A. Groult

Colour artwork showing a liberty ship on fire and a torpedo boat in the foreground is heading towards it

George Clymer, a Liberty ship laden with timber and aircraft from the American northwest, broke down in the South Atlantic on May 30, 1942. Two days later it sent out an SOS picked up by the surface raider Michel. Despite suspecting a trap, Fregattenkapitän Helmuth von Ruckteschell, Michel’s captain, decided to respond to the call. He crossed the South Atlantic to intercept George Clymer. Because Ruckteschell thought it might be a trap, Michel did not attack George Clymer directly. It did not even come within sight of the freighter. Instead, Ruckteschell unloaded Esau, a torpedo boat Michel carried, at dusk to seek out and attack George Clymer that night. Traveling too slowly to leave a noticeable wake, Esau found the Liberty ship at the advertised position. George Clymer’s lookouts failed to spot Esau. The torpedo boat crept up to George Clymer under cover of darkness, launching two torpedoes when close enough not to miss. One hit flooded the engine room. The second struck the after end of Hold 1 a few seconds later. Esau withdrew, again unnoticed by George Clymer’s lookouts. They believed they had been attacked by a U-boat. This plate shows the scene as the second torpedo strikes home. Esau rests in the water unobserved, as it assesses the damage it has inflicted. In the distance flames silhouette George Clymer, as its panicked crew hastily lowers the lifeboat lest a freighter filled with timber and deck cargo aircraft explodes and sinks before they get off.