Korea The Commonwealth At War

An authoritative account by the historian and Korean War vet offers “a comprehensive picture of the war . . . and riveting tales of heroics . . . Gripping” (The Washington Post Book World). Winner of the Westminster Medal for Military Literature On June 25, 1950, the North Korean People’s Army shocked American troops by crossing the 38th parallel into South Korea. After five years of relative quiet following the close of World War II, the US Army was unprepared to face a battle-ready enemy. After an initial defeat, General MacArthur turned the tides along with significant contributions from UN allies. Joining the Americans were troops from Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Turkey, and elsewhere, working together despite problems of culture and logistics. In The Korean War, Michael Hickey frames the conflict in the larger context of international power politics. A veteran of the war himself, he recounts such masterstrokes as MacArthur’s landing behind the enemy lines at Inchon, the drama of the glorious Glosters episode, and both collaboration and mutiny in the prisoner-of-war camps of either side. Drawing on many previously unexamined sources from several countries, including recently declassified documents, regimental archives, diaries, and interviews, Hickey adds extensively to our knowledge of one of the most significant conflicts of modern times. “[A] fine, opinionated contribution to Korean War literature . . . Not to be missed.” —Publishers Weekly

In 1950 the Commonwealth sent troops to fight in Korea under the auspices of the United Nations. Until the 'police action' in Korea ended in 1953, the troops saw extensive combat - up to December 1951 the fighting was of a more mobile nature; thereafter, operations were static, and consisted of patrols, raids, small attacks and defensive actions, bombardments, casualties, air strikes and reliefs. The author has written a balanced account, covering the background to the campaign, the invasion of South Korea, as well as the initial engagements of the Commonwealth troops leading up to the epic of the 'Glorious Glosters' along the Imjin River. The formation of the 1st Commonwealth Division during late summer 1951 is described, as well as subsequent operations for the duration of the conflict. As well as a narrative of combat operations, the author explores the system of command and administration that supported the Division in Korea, as well as prisoners of war, and appendices listing headquarters, major units, an order of battle, staff listings, honors and awards, and battle casualties. During his writing, the author frequently breaks away from the battle narrative to describe the daily lives of the troops, political affairs affecting the campaign, and other non-operational matters, producing as a whole a readable and wide-ranging account. Apart from using war diaries, the author interviewed many officers who participated in the campaign to ensure his study was as accurate as possible. By the end of the conflict in Korea, the Commonwealth Division had established a superb reputation, and has gone down in military history as a unique formation - this is a fitting record of its service. The author's text is supported by a selection of photographs and a number of excellent maps.

"All too little remembered today, the Korean War was bitterly fought out under atrocious conditions of weather and terrain. Greatly outnumbered by their Communist Chinese and North Korean enemy, the United Nations forces fought with extraordinary resolve and gallantry. The Hook, the name given to a prominent ridge on the Peninsula, saw more blood spilt than any other feature in this prolonged and grisly war. Not surprisingly it became known as 'the bloody Hood'. The two costliest battles are described in detail in Fortune Favours The Brave, a classic account of the war. Both involved British infantry battalions of 29 Commonwealth Brigade. In November 1952, The Black Watch saw off a major Chinese attack against all odds. In May 1953 it was the turn of 1st Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment to face what must have seemed an overwhelming onslaught. Along a 1,000 yard front the greatest concentration of artillery fire since the Great War was brought to bear on Chinese human-wave attacks. In the morning the Dukes still held the ground despite heavy casualties. This feat of arms, achieved by battalion made up mainly of young National Servicemen from yorkshire, ranks among the finest in the long and glorious history of the British Army."--Publisher description.

In June 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea. Responding to a United Nations' call, Canada deployed an 8000-man brigade to the peninsula to fight as part of an American-led UN force. This comprehensive account of the Canadian campaign in Korea provides the first detailed study of the training, leadership, operations, and tactics of the brigade under each of its three wartime commanders as well as its relationship with American and Commonwealth allies. This impeccably researched analytical history also examines the various units, from the "Special Force" to the army's regular battalions that replaced them.

"In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea. Sixteen nations fought on behalf of South Korea; two (the People's Republic of China and North Korea itself) on behalf of North Korea. By the time the fighting stopped, three years later, nearly two million military, and an estimated three million civilians had lost their lives, with one-half of Korean industry, and one-third of Korean homes destroyed. For two of the three years that the war was under way, both sides were trying to negotiate a peace." "Canadian governments know that official Washington usually does not appreciate Canadian advice on management of the world. Ottawa responds by joining multinational organizations, where it attempts to persuade other governments to establish a common front. The common front may then try, by force of numbers, to influence the White House and the State Department. One such multinational organization is the Commonwealth, five of whose eight members (the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa) had combat forces in Korea. Using sources from Australia, Canada, China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United Nations, and the United States, Mount and Laferriere have used the Korean War as a case study. When did the Commonwealth belligerents agree with each other but not with official Washington, and what success did they have in changing U.S. policies?"--BOOK JACKET.