The Korean War [Hardcover]

Brian Catchpole (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2000

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

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.

From Library Journal

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.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Carroll & Graf Publishers; First Edition edition (October 30, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786707801
• ISBN-13: 978-0786707805
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,487,498 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Review of "The Korean War", November 5, 2000

By 

Dane Kosaka "dankos" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Korean War (Hardcover)

For those of us born in the years immediately following World War II, the start of the Cold War was one of those dark ghosts that would haunt us until middle age. To me, the Korean War marks the formal recognition that the First and Second Worlds had irreconcilable differences that would not soon disappear. America began a conscious effort to change its political system and military philosophy and doctrine to cope with this challenge. The Korean War was also the tangible manifestation that the Cold War would be a global contest. Thereafter America looked at Asia and the world outside of Europe differently.

Otherwise it was so reminiscent of the other large wars of the Twentieth Century. A megalomaniac autocrat sends his army to overwhelm a weak neighbor. The weak neighbor through bravery, desperation, and limited help from a hard-pressed ally, militarily unprepared and with a politically indifferent populace, narrowly fends-off the invader until the US can bring the might of its resources to bear. In this way it was eerily similar to the way the First World War started, was fought, and ended.

This book tells the history of the Korean War -- mostly from a British perspective -- from the individual heroism of the Black Watch in the battle of the Hook to the efforts various British governments to support the UN effort. Despite this perspective, Catchpole is careful to maintain a balance with the narrative of the general military and political context. The book does not neglect the important battles that American forces fought, nor does it neglect the ROK army. Douglas MacArthur, America's proconsul to Japan, comes off as out-of-touch and immensely egotistical. The decision to fire him was not a result of a sudden epiphany, but a culmination of minor and major insubordinations.

One of the basest insults for a soldier is that he is prepared for the last war. Indeed the soldiers of the Korean War, especially the British, should have been complemented for remembering the lessons and being prepared to re-fight the First World War. The book recounts, the appalling monotony in which the Chinese attacked, often at division strength, and were slaughtered as they attempted to take the prepared British defenses.

Catchpole's book is a reminder that the Korean War was a UN war. Although the military effort was predominantly American, the other contingents bore the brunt of the fighting out of proportion to their sizes. Politically, the support of America's allies was indispensable to maintaining the effort in a place most Americans cared little about and would just as soon forget.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Korean War: 1950-53, by Brian Catchpole, November 8, 2001

By 

Tom Deloy (Richmond, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Korean War (Paperback)

In this book, Brian Catchpole provides a political and military history of the movements and actions leading up to the war and on through to 1953. Although this book does not get bogged down in any one facet of the war, it does do a good job at covering the political plans of President Truman, the tactical maneuvers of Gen. MacArthur and his commanders, and the grinding ground/sea/air battles that took place.

Some will be astonished at the power that MacArthur wielded as the commander of U.N. forces. He was quite a diplomat, building a coalition of nations to fight the Chinese and Russian fortified North Korean People's Army (NKPA).

The book also gives the reader a good insight into the life of an infantryman, be it the 8th Army, X Corp, or Republic of Korea (ROK) regiments, trying to survive the cold Korean winters and defend against crushing attacks.

No single book can cover all of what transpired during the Korean War, but this book should satisfy all but the most erudite war buff.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars United Nations War, February 20, 2004

By 

Thomas H. Savery (Loganville, Ga) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Korean War (Paperback)

The author, Brian Catchpole is British, and the book notes all the British units fighting in the war, as well as all the other United Nations troops. United States troops are also included, as they provided most of the troops, next to the Koreans, but the Brits provided the 2nd most, after the U.S. British Commandos were in the fighting at the Chosin Reservoir, for example.
The horrendous intelligence failure to see over 300,000 Chinese troops is noted, as the stupidity of Gen Almond to want to continue the advance to the Yalu in spite of the masses of Chinese attacking.
The book includes chapters not usually included in this war.
There are chapters about the role of the Navy,and Air Force, and special operations behind the lines.
The contributions of the Greeks, Turks, French, Canadians, Kiwis. and Australians, Filipinos, and Thais are included.
The Koreans did the most suffering, by the millions. Souel was a ruin, having been taken 4 times in the War twice by the Chinese, twice by us.
The Japanese were the big benefactors of the war, with billions of military spending causing a boom in Japan. Japan was our repair shop, storage shop, and they made many of our vehicles.
For example, the Toyota president had tried just before the war started to form a partnership with Ford. Ford refused, and then Toyota had to make thousands of vehicles on its own for the military when the war broke out, and kept all the profit.
The POW issue is included.
The war was forgotten before it even ended. When troops came home, no one welcomed them. The public did not even notice.
The Brits did not declassifiy much of the Korean War information until the 1990.s.
Differences in equipment were noted, with the Brits with their sten guns and rum ration, the Canadians with huge supplies of Labatt beer.
The battles of the Hook and Pork Chop Hill are gone into in some detail, as they were the final battles.
A chapter is included on the various perspectives on the war from the different country' points of view. The McCarthy era, Ike, is discussed, as well as the effect in China and Britain.

It is a very good book for an overall view of the Korean war, especially if you are British.