Philip Katcher – författare

The regimental or battery set of colours was more than simply a unit designation, issued for the ease of a commander in identifying his units in the field.It was the very symbol of the regiment; it was its heart, the thing that drew its members together. As such it was fiercely defended in action, where it flew in the centre of the line. Complemented by numerous illustrations, including eight full page colour plates by Rick Scollins, this book by Philip Katcher provides a fascinating examination of the Union flags of the American Civil War.

The very heart of the Confederate fighting unit was its flag, which came in a variety of designs and colours.The flag was the rallying point on the field of battle and it marked the unit headquarters in camp. In 1865, at the war's conclusion, the furling of the defeated Confederate banners signalled the end of that episode in history.The first of three books focusing on flags of the Civil War, Philip Katcher's text provides a detailed look into Confederate flags. Full colour illustrations and rare photographs portray the myriad variations of flags used to represent the seceding southern states.

The wars between whites and Native Americans, the most famous of which were fought on the great Western plains between 1860 and 1890, were among the most tragic of all conflicts ever fought.To the victor went no less than the complete domination of the continent, to the loser total extinction. Accustomed only to small scale skirmishing and raiding, the Native Americans were doomed from the start. They had never fought a European-style war with its constant pressure and co-ordinated strategies.Philip Katcher details the armies of both sides, paying particular attention to their organisation and uniforms.

Initially British officials were reluctant to accept the offers of loyal subjects to form fighting units but eventually the potential of a Provincial corps was realized.Yet they never received the whole-hearted support of the British regular army and this was a factor in their eventual defeat. Nonetheless the Provincial Corps served with distinction – even fighting against the Spanish in Nicaragua and the Bahamas – and some remained in service for several more years by relocating to Canada.This book examines their experiences in this continental conflict and details their uniforms and equipment.

Between 1890 and 1920 the US Army underwent profound changes in organization, function, composition and appearance.The Army was transformed from a small, blue-clad force whose primary weapon was the single-shot rifle, into a mighty host of men dressed in dirt-coloured combat uniforms, using automatic weapons, tanks and aircraft to fight enemies on fields across the world. This book details the Army's developments during its involvement in the Spanish-American War, the Boxer Rebellion and World War I.Particular attention is given to the evolution of the Army's uniforms, which are illustrated vividly by Chris Warner throughout the book.

Typically the United States is said to have declared war on Great Britain in 1812 because of the Royal Navy's impressment of American seamen and the British desire to create an Indian buffer state.An Englishman, William Cobbett, described the real cause of the conflict: 'There seemed to be wanting just such a war as this to complete the separation of England from America; and to make the latter feel that she had no safety against the former but in the arms of her free citizens.' Regardless of the reasons, however, on 4 June 1812, U.S. President James Madison asked Congress to declare war.Featuring plates and illustrations, this is a detailed exploration of the uniforms worn by both sides.

In October 1861 the Army of the Potomac officially came into being.For General George B. McClellan, the dejected Union troops who poured into Washington fresh from defeat at Bull Run on Monday 22 July, 1861, were to provide the raw material which he would train, equip, organise and ultimately transform from a mere mob into an effective fighting force.This entertaining volume from the same team of author Philip Katcher and artist Michael Youens who produced Men-at-Arms 37 The Army of Northern Virginia, explores how this transition came about, with a particular emphasis on weapons, uniforms and equipment.

On the 27 June, 1862, with the American Civil War already a year old, General Robert E. Lee assumed personal command of troops engaged in driving the Federal Army of the Potomac out of Richmond – troops which would henceforth be known as The Army of Northern Virginia.Philip Katcher explores in absorbing detail all aspects of the army, including infantry, cavalry, artillery, technical and medical corps, paying particular attention to equipment, weapons and uniforms. Contemporary and museum photographs, together with the author's expert text, combine to a paint a vivid and accurate picture of what life was like for the average confederate soldier.

‘There never was so fine an American army,’ wrote second-lieutenant, John Sedgwick, in describing the troops under Major-General Zachary Taylor in 1846.Another then second-lieutenant, destined to see many more armies; U.S. Grant, also thought highly of them: ‘The rank and file were probably inferior … to the volunteers that participated in all the later battles of the war; but they were brave men, and then drill and discipline brought out all there was in them.’ Philip Katcher writes the story of the regulars and volunteers who fought in the Mexican-American War, detailing the infantry, cavalry, artillery and staff of both the American and Mexican armies.

Philip Katcher provides an overview to the conflict that engulfed Vietnam following the division of the country into two along the 17th Parallel in 1954.The uniforms and insignia of the US forces, including the army, Special Forces, air force, navy and marine corps, are dealt with in detail, together with those of the ARVN, the Allied Forces (such as the Royal Thai Army and Korean troops), and also the Communist NLF (Viet Cong) and NVA forces.Mike Chappell's colourful artwork provides plenty of detail to accompany this authoritative text.

At the time of the Second World War, the United States Army took an unusual approach, for the period, towards the design of its uniforms.Rather than attempt to find an all-purpose outfit, such as the British battledress, it attempted to design special-purpose dress for every possible duty, from combat in cold climates to dress parades in hot ones.Alongside illustrations, photographs and colour plates, Philip Katcher provides an extensive examination of the many different types of uniform and equipment which saw service during the conflict.

A concise, illustrated study of the US cavalrymen of the American West in the late nineteenth century.Two events in the 19th century turned the minds of Americans westwards towards eventual and inevitable conflict with the Plains Indians. The first was victory in the Mexican-American War, which brought millions of acres of new land in the West. The second was the discovery of gold in California. One of the results of this migration was conflict with the Indians who inhabited the Plains. So it was natural that the Army, the nation's armed peace-keepers, should be sent to garrison the West.This book by Philip Katcher tells the absorbing story of the US cavalrymen who patrolled the Plains from 1850 to 1890, supported by photographs and detailed original colour artwork.

A concise illustrated study of the uniforms, arms and personal equipment issued by the national Confederate government to its artillery, cavalry, and infantry.When the Southern states seceded to form their own government in 1861, one of their first moves was to organise an army. The South's fighting men served from the time of their enlistment until the end of the war, receiving poor rations, and even worse clothing – and this despite the fact that one of the first steps taken by the new army was to design a uniform and establish standards for accoutrements and weapons. In this first of five volumes examining American Civil War armies, Philip Katcher profiles the uniforms issued by the national Confederate government to its artillery, cavalry and infantry in detailed text accompanied by black-and-white images and 8 superb colour plates by artist Ron Volstad.

A concise illustrated study of the uniforms, accoutrements, insignia and weapons of the Union artillery, infantry and cavalry between 1861 and 1865.The US Army during the Civil War was the largest the country had raised in its brief history, and it would remain the largest ever raised until World War I. In all, 2,772,408 men served in some branch or other of the US Army. This detailed work by Philip Katcher is a comprehensive guide to the uniforms, accoutrements, insignia and weapons of the Union troops who fought the American Civil War, with a wealth of illustrations, including contemporary photographs and eight full page colour plates by Ron Volstad.

A concise illustrated study of the uniforms and organization of the specialist troops on both sides of the US Civil War.At the time of the American Civil War, with two million men under arms, a US Army that in pre-war days had depended upon a minute number of technical troops now required virtually an army of specialists alone. Special sharpshooters were recruited for skirmishing duty; men whose wounds would have led to their discharge in the past now found themselves guarding important posts in the Veteran Reserve Corps; and large numbers of civilians found themselves in uniform as members of the Telegraph or Hospital Corps. Philip Katcher examines the organization and uniforms of the specialist troops who served in the armies of both sides. The text is supported by 50 black-and-white images along with 8 superb colour artwork plates depicting the uniforms and equipment of specialist troop types.

A concise illustrated study of the uniforms worn by the troops of 32 states in the US Civil War.'The War between the States' is the term used for the American Civil War throughout much of the South even today. Many on both sides – not just the South – felt that they were serving their states as much, if not more, than their central governments. Many of the states agreed; the state governments raising their own units, commissioning their officers, and supplying their men. Indeed, many of the units that fought the Civil War were supplied in large part by their own states rather than by the central government's quartermasters. Philip Katcher's fascinating text explores the uniforms of 32 states, from Alabama to Wisconsin, supported by a selection of images throughout, and 8 superb artwork plates depicting the uniforms and equipment of the state troops.

A concise illustrated study of the uniforms of the volunteer militias of the US Civil War.Uniformed volunteer units were raised by individuals, usually from an area's social élite who had enough spare money and time to spend on such enthusiasms. They voted on their unit designation, their officers and non-commissioned officers, their unit rules, and their uniform. Many future leaders learned their skills in these ranks, and volunteer militia units formed the core of many fighting units on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line. With the help of numerous photographs and illustrations, including eight full page colour plates by Ron Volstad, Philip Katcher does a fine job of detailing the uniforms of the volunteer militia of the American Civil War.

A concise illustrated study of the uniforms and organization of the specialist troops on both sides of the US Civil War.At the time of the American Civil War, with two million men under arms, a US Army that in pre-war days had depended upon a minute number of technical troops now required virtually an army of specialists alone. Special sharpshooters were recruited for skirmishing duty; men whose wounds would have led to their discharge in the past now found themselves guarding important posts in the Veteran Reserve Corps; and large numbers of civilians found themselves in uniform as members of the Telegraph or Hospital Corps. Philip Katcher examines the organization and uniforms of the specialist troops who served in the armies of both sides. The text is supported by 50 black-and-white images along with 8 superb colour artwork plates depicting the uniforms and equipment of specialist troop types.

A concise illustrated study of the uniforms and organization of the specialist troops on both sides of the US Civil War.At the time of the American Civil War, with two million men under arms, a US Army that in pre-war days had depended upon a minute number of technical troops now required virtually an army of specialists alone. Special sharpshooters were recruited for skirmishing duty; men whose wounds would have led to their discharge in the past now found themselves guarding important posts in the Veteran Reserve Corps; and large numbers of civilians found themselves in uniform as members of the Telegraph or Hospital Corps. Philip Katcher examines the organization and uniforms of the specialist troops who served in the armies of both sides. The text is supported by 50 black-and-white images along with 8 superb colour artwork plates depicting the uniforms and equipment of specialist troop types.

A concise illustrated study of the uniforms worn by the troops of 32 states in the US Civil War.''The War between the States'' is the term used for the American Civil War throughout much of the South even today. Many on both sides – not just the South – felt that they were serving their states as much, if not more, than their central governments. Many of the states agreed; the state governments raising their own units, commissioning their officers, and supplying their men. Indeed, many of the units that fought the Civil War were supplied in large part by their own states rather than by the central government''s quartermasters. Philip Katcher''s fascinating text explores the uniforms of 32 states, from Alabama to Wisconsin, supported by a selection of images throughout, and 8 superb artwork plates depicting the uniforms and equipment of the state troops.

In October 1861 the Army of the Potomac officially came into being.For General George B. McClellan, the dejected Union troops who poured into Washington fresh from defeat at Bull Run on Monday 22 July, 1861, were to provide the raw material which he would train, equip, organise and ultimately transform from a mere mob into an effective fighting force.This entertaining volume from the same team of author Philip Katcher and artist Michael Youens who produced Men-at-Arms 37 The Army of Northern Virginia, explores how this transition came about, with a particular emphasis on weapons, uniforms and equipment.

In October 1861 the Army of the Potomac officially came into being.For General George B. McClellan, the dejected Union troops who poured into Washington fresh from defeat at Bull Run on Monday 22 July, 1861, were to provide the raw material which he would train, equip, organise and ultimately transform from a mere mob into an effective fighting force.This entertaining volume from the same team of author Philip Katcher and artist Michael Youens who produced Men-at-Arms 37 The Army of Northern Virginia, explores how this transition came about, with a particular emphasis on weapons, uniforms and equipment.

The bombardment by Confederate artillery of Fort Sumter on 12 April 1861 was the spark that finally ignited the American Civil War, quickly bringing thousands of eager volunteers for the Union cause. It proved especially easy to raise cavalry, since recruits naively believed that their military duties would be easier than in the infantry. This book investigates all aspects of the life and experiences of a Union trooper, covering enlistment, training, uniforms, weapons, cavalry tactics and the discrepancy between the recruit''s view of swashbuckling charges and heroic hand-to-hand combat and the less glorious reality.

The bombardment by Confederate artillery of Fort Sumter on 12 April 1861 was the spark that finally ignited the American Civil War, quickly bringing thousands of eager volunteers for the Union cause. It proved especially easy to raise cavalry, since recruits naively believed that their military duties would be easier than in the infantry. This book investigates all aspects of the life and experiences of a Union trooper, covering enlistment, training, uniforms, weapons, cavalry tactics and the discrepancy between the recruit''s view of swashbuckling charges and heroic hand-to-hand combat and the less glorious reality.

An illustrated exploration of what it was like to be a Confederate Artilleryman in the American Civil War.In the heady days of the rush to arms in 1861, comparatively few Southern men volunteered for service in the artillery: most preferred the easily accessible glory of the infantry or cavalry. Yet those that did quickly earned the respect of their fellow soldiers, and a reputation for being able to "pull through deeper mud, ford deeper springs, shoot faster, swear louder ... than any other class of men in the service". Given that field artillery was invariably deployed in front of the troops that it was supporting, the artillerymen were exposed to a high level of enemy fire, and losses were significant.This title guides the reader through the life and experiences of the Confederate cannoneer - where he came from; how he trained and lived; how he dressed, ate and was equipped; and how he fought.

An illustrated exploration of what it was like to be a Confederate Artilleryman in the American Civil War.In the heady days of the rush to arms in 1861, comparatively few Southern men volunteered for service in the artillery: most preferred the easily accessible glory of the infantry or cavalry. Yet those that did quickly earned the respect of their fellow soldiers, and a reputation for being able to "pull through deeper mud, ford deeper springs, shoot faster, swear louder ... than any other class of men in the service". Given that field artillery was invariably deployed in front of the troops that it was supporting, the artillerymen were exposed to a high level of enemy fire, and losses were significant.This title guides the reader through the life and experiences of the Confederate cannoneer - where he came from; how he trained and lived; how he dressed, ate and was equipped; and how he fought.

At the time of the Second World War, the United States Army took an unusual approach, for the period, towards the design of its uniforms.Rather than attempt to find an all-purpose outfit, such as the British battledress, it attempted to design special-purpose dress for every possible duty, from combat in cold climates to dress parades in hot ones.Alongside illustrations, photographs and colour plates, Philip Katcher provides an extensive examination of the many different types of uniform and equipment which saw service during the conflict.

Between 1890 and 1920 the US Army underwent profound changes in organization, function, composition and appearance.The Army was transformed from a small, blue-clad force whose primary weapon was the single-shot rifle, into a mighty host of men dressed in dirt-coloured combat uniforms, using automatic weapons, tanks and aircraft to fight enemies on fields across the world. This book details the Army''s developments during its involvement in the Spanish-American War, the Boxer Rebellion and World War I.Particular attention is given to the evolution of the Army''s uniforms, which are illustrated vividly throughout the book.

At the time of the Second World War, the United States Army took an unusual approach, for the period, towards the design of its uniforms.Rather than attempt to find an all-purpose outfit, such as the British battledress, it attempted to design special-purpose dress for every possible duty, from combat in cold climates to dress parades in hot ones.Alongside illustrations, photographs and colour plates, Philip Katcher provides an extensive examination of the many different types of uniform and equipment which saw service during the conflict.