Breakout: The Chosin Reservoir Campaign, Korea 1950

General Douglas MacArthur sent the 1st Marine Division (3 regiments, 12,000 soldiers) to the Yalu River, on China's border triggering China's direct entry into the Korean War, just as victory had seemed assured. Surrounded by 60,000 Chinese soldiers that winter the Marines fought their way out, taking their dead and wounded. Written by a Marine, who detests the word "retreat" and claims it was an attack in every compass direction. Claims Chinese losses as 25,000KIA. Important example of winter warfare. Heroic but noncritical account. US relief forces were shredded trapped in valley bottoms, with no control of the ridges (75% vehicles lost, etc.). Index references British 41 Commando (300 soldiers). Worth finding their battle account. show more Heroic disaster. Epic retreat under fire. show less

pretty good, but too gung-ho for me

Great book! One of the best I have read on the Korean War. Greatly recommend it