We Called It War! The Untold Story of the Combat Infantry in Korea [Paperback]

Denzil Batson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1999

A year in the life of a platoon sergeant in the Korean War - a detailed account of the two-day assault of a hill in China called Little Gibraltar.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Batson's story does not deal with generals of big battle plans. Only the life of frontline soldiers in Korea and, in an Ozarker's words, how men went about trying to survive in battle." -- Robert R. Franson, Former editor of The DailyNews, Springfield, Mo

"The 'Forgotten War' is not forgotten in Batson's exciting recounting of one man's experiences as an infrantryman on the front lines of Korea. This is not about grand strategy or generals' tactics but the ground's eyeview of a real war." -- Donn Rowton, Springfield, Mo

"This is a very excellent and vivid account of a foot soldier's experience of the war in Korea." -- 1st Sgt. Bobby J. Colson. Mo. Army National Guard Retired

From the Back Cover

A Vivid Account of the 'Forgotten Wartime'

"Denzil Batson was a young southwest Missourian sent in the winter of 1951-1952 to fight in Korea's hills and rice paddies in a war America never called a war and now, sadly, is nearly forgotten. "Batson grew up on a dairy farm near Republic, MO. Eighteen and just married to his high school sweetheart, he was a sergeant as the Second Platoon of F Company, 3rd Division, recaptured a hill called Little Gibraltar from the Chinese. "In 'We Called It War,' he recounts the two-day assault of a 60- degree slope, creating a picture of constant terror, mass confusion, dread of harassing artillery fire, the wrenching loss of close friends, heart-sickening screams for medics-sights Batson would remember for a lifetime. Sometimes he shut his eyes to block out the horror. "When the bloody struggle ended, half of Batson's platoon had been killed, or wounded.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Leathers Pub; 1 edition (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890622680
• ISBN-13: 978-1890622688
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,921,291 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book tell it like it is for the common soldier in comba, June 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: We Called It War! The Untold Story of the Combat Infantry in Korea (Paperback)

After reading his account you will understand what the real men of war go thru. Living outside in all kinds of weather, listening to a friend talk about going home one minute and seeing him die the next. After reading this you will see the real sacrafice servicemen make for our freedoms, and you will really understand what war is all about. An excellent book that I could not put down. We should all thank Mr Batson and the other troops for our freedom.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I know Mr. Batson, January 22, 2006

By 

Robert P. Stewart (La Crosse WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: We Called It War! The Untold Story of the Combat Infantry in Korea (Paperback)

I have met Mr. Batson. He has been a friend of my father, Ronald Stewart, since they fought together on those hills so long ago. I can tell you one thing for certain. None of what he relates in his book was ever made up as the previous reviewer suggests. I must admit that I have not read every page of this book. When I picked it up I was mostly interested in reading the stories that related to my father. I can tell you it is not a "Pork Chop Hill", but then there aren't many books that would measure up to that classic work. And I doubt that Mr. Batson would ever claim that his book is anything more than it is - a firsthand account written by a man who was there, for the men who were with him. I have to give it 5 stars because I am proud of my father and the men he fought with. Men like Denzil Batson.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best combat book on the war, December 1, 2001

By 

Eric Howard "veteran" (kansas city, mo. United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: We Called It War! The Untold Story of the Combat Infantry in Korea (Paperback)

This book is a tribute to the citizen soldier. Mr. Datson enlisdted in the Army as a private and rose to the rank of Master Sergeant during his single tour. The book's description of the author's first combat experience is unforgettable yet few Americans have ever heard of Little Gibraltar Hill. All veterans of that war's forgotten battles should give this book to their family to let them know what they endured. If you know someone in the infantry in Afganistan send them this book so they will know they can endure the unendurable. Read this book than pass it on.