The Korean War

Commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, this book presents a history of the conflict that became America's first unwinnable foreign war. From the American infantry's attempts to take back Pusan from the North Korean communist forces at the outset of the war in 1950, to the U.S. assault on Inchon and capture of Seoul, to the final bloody battles of Pork Chop, Old Baldy, and the Hook in 1953, this authoritative history of the Korean War vividly chronicles the conflict that altered for the rest of the twentieth century the balance of power in the Far East. Begun with the resolve of the United States and United Nations to check the expansion of world communism in Asia, the war ended with the emergence of the People's Republic of China as a major new international power. Written with the advantage of research in the recently opened archives of Russia and China as well as with access to documents in the files of the British War Office, this military history both acknowledges and significantly revises previous accounts of the conflict that made household words of a "war of containment," the DMZ (demilitarized zone), and the much negotiated POW exchange known as "the Big Switch." Throughout, maps and diagrams clarify the complex geography of the war, while the author's first-hand knowledge as a serviceman illuminates the strategy and tactics, the weaponry and fighting methods, of both the U.N. and communist troops. Finally, assessments of the war and its aftermath illuminate the crucial role the Korean conflict played in defining the U.N.'s future policy and the limits of the West's power in the East.

A 34-year veteran of the British Continental Army who retired a lt. colonel in 1987, Catchpole has published map histories of the U.S., China and Russia, as well as the sweeping study Clash of Cultures. This single-volume account covers the conflict from North Korea's early victories and attempts to penetrate the Pusan defense line and MacArthur's amphibious assault at Inchon, which reversed the tide of the war, drawing in the Chinese People's Liberation Army, all the way up to the 10-minute Battle in the Yellow Sea just two years ago. Writing from the British perspective, Catchpole naturally highlights British involvement in this unpopular war, which was the first to take place under United Nations auspices. That perspective makes for a fresh take on events like MacArthur's decision to move to the Chinese border in late 1950. Under Americans commanders throughout the war, British troops suffered the second highest number of casualties of the UN nations. Chapters encompass naval and air warfare, and contributions of Canadian, New Zealand and Australian troops, and examine the effect of the war on the home fronts. Scrutiny of UN covert operations, prisoner of war problems, the positive effects of the war on Japan and consequences for the rest of the Far East round things out. The British amateur historian's-eye view of things is likely to appeal only to those who have exhausted U.S.
focused accounts. Maps not seen by PW. (Oct. 30)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This latest Korean War commemorative tome is a valuable one-volume overview of the whole conflict, from the initial division of Korea into occupation zones that in due course became separate countries, to the postwar consequences for Korea, the U.S., Japan, and Britain. Into the narrative of comparatively familiar events Catchpole mixes better-than-average coverage of non-U.S. contributions to the fray, of the Korean War's role in initiating Japan's postwar recovery, and of the normalization of Japanese-American relations, as well as of the stalemate period of the fighting, from mid-1951 on. Catchpole has no use for Syngman Rhee and, if possible, even less use for Douglas MacArthur. He is partial to Harry Truman, but he rejects propagandistic extremes and incorporates the latest research on the ambiguous Russian and Chinese attitudes toward the whole affair. Even for a small Korean War collection, this book deserves serious consideration. Roland Green
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For the 50th anniversary of the Korean War (1950-53), retired British Army veteran Catchpole has produced a well-balanced, succinct history of the first war fought by the United Nations against an aggressor state. This trim volume adequately covers the politics, diplomacy, wartime operations, and aftermath of an undeclared war that still has no peace treaty. The author's research is solid and his narrative lively, providing vivid anecdotal insight into the prelude to war, the ground combat, the surprise Chinese intervention, naval and air warfare, prisoners of war, propaganda, public opinion, and little-known aspects of partisan warfare and covert operations. New scholarship includes recently unclassified Chinese and Russian source material. Catchpole clearly reveals the contentious relationship between General MacArthur and President Truman and is accurately critical of MacArthur and other high-ranking U.S. Army officers for their arrogance and lack of tactical and strategic foresight. There are strong references to British and Commonwealth contributions to the UN effort. This excellent one-volume history is highly recommended for public and academic libraries. (Maps not seen.)DCol. William D. Bushnell, USMC (ret.), Sebascodegan Island, ME
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.