Customer Reviews

Wonju (H)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

JD Coleman has attempted to illustrate how the battles around Wonju were the high-water mark for the Chinese, much as Gettysburg was the beginning of the end for the Confederates. There is an interesting account of a task force all but wiped out in what became known as "massacre valley" but most of the book has been recounted elsewhere, in greater depth. The author spends a substatial amount of time on the 187th Airborne RCT (his old outfit) and while this is interesting in its detail, the author tends to dwell a little too long on it. Most of these accounts revolve around one or two companies and this gives a disjointed perspective which magnifies things out of proportion to what's going on elsewhere.

JD Coleman has attempted to illustrate how the battles around Wonju were the high-water mark for the Chinese, much as Gettysburg was the beginning of the end for the Confederates. There is an interesting account of a task force all but wiped out in what became known as "massacre valley" but most of the book has been recounted elsewhere, in greater depth. The author spends a substatial amount of time on the 187th Airborne RCT (his old outfit) and while this is interesting in its detail, the author tends to dwell a little too long on it. Most of these accounts revolve around one or two companies and this gives a disjointed perspective which magnifies things out of proportion to what's going on elsewhere.

This is a fascinating first-person account of the brutality of the Forgotten War. It's equally fascinating to us today how America and China both paid dearly to defend the two Koreas, with Red China losing 10-20 times as many men as the U.S., and 50 years later, neither country is appreciated (or liked) by their respective protege. Wars, indeed, are silly and futile, especially when you die for others.

The book details the bloody battles around Wonju in early 1951. While the major phases of the Korean War had ended by Christmas 1950, the Chinese, under the leadership of the psychotic general Peng Te-hwai (Peng Dehuai), only began to launch their massive human wave attacks in 1951, pretty much all of which ended in failures and cost the Chinese half a million lives but also inflicted heavy losses on U.S./UN forces. Wonju is a prominent example of the insanity of war, especially at an individual level. The accounts here are a little too lengthy and confusing at times, but Coleman makes an attempt to provide a comprehensive story. The bravery of the young American soldiers fighting for a people unappreciative of their actions (even the Rhee gov't resented American intervention, despite the fact it came very close to being swallowed by their North brothers who had no love for them) comes out alive in the pages, but you can also feel for the peasant "volunteer" soldiers of Red China who died like ants rushing into a fire, so their comrades behind could march on.

A worthy read for everyone interested in military history... and the history of human suffering.

This is absoluely outstanding essay of the actions of the 187 Airborne Inf RCT and tje 2nd Div in the decisive battles around Wonju and Chipyong Ni in central Korea in Jan ans Feb 1951. Col Coleman's research was clearly oustanding. His remarks about the command relationships were right on, as were his detailed descriptions of small unit actions. This is an oustanding piece of work

I am not qualified to comment on his ability as an historian, though nothing here is contradicted by other books I have read, but I must say that the author writes well. I was put off by the book's appearance at first but once I began I found it a very enjoyable read, and it covers much that I did not find elsewhere

It's really GOOD and I can't believe it!
Also it was very resonable price.
I'm fully satisfied with my purchase this book.
Wow!