Customer Reviews

The Black Watch (Men-at-Arms)

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Typical of most Osprey titles this one is slender, pricy, but also rich in content. The book provides a nice history of the early years of the Watch from a policing force into one of the world's elite combat regiments. The empasis is mainly on the early period up to about the end of WW2. In this regard the work is perhaps a bit dated in that it does not go over the recent developments in the regiments history. Now part of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, the Black Watch exists as its 3rd battalion.

There are the usual 8 or so plates of nice color pictures showing uniforms throughout the Watch's history, as well as other interesting details taken from the regiment's museum at Balhousie Castle. A nice work, if a bit dated, and certainly over-priced for what you get as most Osprey titles tend to be. Figure painters will enjoy the color plates, but for a more comprehensive history check out John Parker's recent book on the regiment. Taken together both items will give the reader a nice look at the Watch over time and up to the present.

'The Black Watch' is an Osprey men-at-arms title examining yet another illustrious regiment of Highlanders in the 18th-20th Century British Army. So-called for their dark-colored plaids and kilts, the Black Watch was initially formed to keep an eye on troublesome Highland clansmen who still adhered to the old practices of blood feuds and cattle raids.

As one of the early Highlander Regiments, the original Black Watch (then called the 42nd Highlanders) was formed from a number of Scottish clans, including the Frasers, Campbells, Grants, and the Munros of Calcairn. They were Highland gentlemen still fighting in the traditional style with swords, dirks, and often outdated firearms, and wearing kilts, plaids, sporrans, and bonnets. The Regiment early on gained a formidable reputation, fighting at the Battles of Fontenoy and Ticonderoga, and also campaigning in America, Alexandria, and the Peninsular War. In the 19th Century they fought in the Crimea, India, and South Africa, and they also saw service in both the World Wars and the Korean War.

As always, the text is concise and clearly-written and examines the history and uniforms of the Black Watch. The color plates, though maybe not as detailed as some Osprey titles, nonetheless do their job of illustrating the uniforms very well. In short, 'The Black Watch' is another worthy Osprey title that takes a colorful and readable look at a notable Highlander Regiment.

Great text but the illustrations are not up to the usual standards. The Author does a great job in the telling the Britains first Highland Regiment from being a sort of local police force to one of its elite regiments.