Post 1945 Conflicts

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

"Let the Bastards Come: The Battle for Kapyong Korea, 23 – 25 April 1951" - During the heavy fighting at Kapyong the Australian's had issues with evacuating their casualties due to the heavy fire of the Chinese attackers. The American Sherman tanks from 'A' Company, 72nd Tank Battalion came to the rescue:

"The seriously wounded on stretchers were strapped to the tank decking. Those wounded who could sit were placed inside the tanks, and most American crewmen stayed outside the tank, holding onto and comforting those on the stretchers. The seriously wounded from 'B' Company's fighting to take The Honeycomb were among those placed on and within the tanks. The compassion shown by these crewmen, and the dangers they took in looking after the stretcher-cases, did them much credit in the eyes of the Australians and was deeply appreciated by them; two American tankers were wounded while evacuating the Australian casualties."

The Australian regimental medical officer, Captain Beard stated:

"We were inside the tank in safety while the poor casualties were defenseless - some tied on, some simply hanging and waiting for the first round to hit them. But it didn't come. The Chinese had ceased firing to let the casualties through. I will be forever grateful to them for their act of great kindness."

Let the Bastards Come: The Battle for Kapyong Korea, 23 – 25 April 1951 by David W. Cameron

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

"Let the Bastards Come: The Battle for Kapyong Korea, 23 – 25 April 1951" - At one stage during the fighting at Kapyong Captain Gravener had called for air attacks to dislodge the surviving Chinese from the old 12 Platoon area. Unfortunately the spotter aircraft directing the airstrike dropped a spigot flare onto the position occupied by Lieutenant Mannett's 10 Platoon and the Company Headquarters. The two attacking Corsair aircraft then dropped their napalm right into the heart of the D Company defences. Australian medic, Private Ron 'Nugget' Dunque witnessed this incident and the aftermath:

"Earlier in the morning I had been wounded in the fore part of my head. I must have looked a sight. I was sitting there, stunned and no doubt feeling a bit sick and sorry for myself.

I then saw the most appalling apparition. A man with no flesh - his hands were dripping flesh - completely naked. As he walked, I saw these huge, bloated feet. The sticks and the stones came up through his feet. He sat down next to me. I didn't know who he was. He looked at me and said, 'Jesus, Nuggett, you're having a bad day'."

Let the Bastards Come: The Battle for Kapyong Korea, 23 – 25 April 1951 by David W. Cameron

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

"Let the Bastards Come: The Battle for Kapyong Korea, 23 – 25 April 1951" - The citation for the award of the DCM for Private Wayne Mitchell of the Second Battalion of the Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI). Many considered that he should have been awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions.

“Private Mitchell, twice wounded on 25 April 1951 at Kapyong, Korea, showed extraordinary courage during an attack made by a strong enemy force on his platoon position. At 2150 hours approximately one hundred Chinese attacked a position held by No.9 Section, 6 Platoon, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry of which Private Mitchell was the Bren gunner.

Notwithstanding the overwhelming odds, with marked determination he held his ground, skilfully using his Bren gun to inflict maximum casualties on the enemy. He was largely responsible for repulsing this attack and was wounded in the chest during the course of the battle. Although wounded he refused to leave his Bren gun and was an inspiration to the remainder of the platoon. He was ordered to report to platoon headquarters to have his wound dressed. He voluntarily carried a wounded comrade back to safety. By 2400 hours the Chinese had overrun two sections of 6 Platoon and were attacking platoon headquarters.

Private Mitchell again skilfully brought a Bren gun into action to repulse this attack. At one stage, seeing his platoon sergeant with six wounded men pinned down by enemy fire, voluntarily, without regard for his own safety, he rushed toward the enemy firing the Bren gun from the hip, thus allowing the wounded to be moved to safety. In this action Private Mitchell was wounded for a second time by an enemy grenade. At 0100 hours on 26 April 1951, platoon headquarters and one section were still holding out but were nearly out of ammunition. The platoon commander ordered his men to withdraw 100 yards to the defences of 5 Platoon who were also under attack. During the withdrawal, Private Mitchell exposed himself time and again, moving from fire positions to fire position, where he could best engage the enemy to cover the withdrawal. At 0300 hours, after the fourth attack had been repulsed, Mitchell had his wounded dressed by the company Medical Assistant but refused to be evacuated and stayed at his Bren gun post for the remainder of the night.

Private Mitchell's courage, determination and skill were an inspiration to the rest of the soldiers in his platoon and company. His actions greatly assisted his company in successfully defending the position and inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. At daylight Private Mitchell could hardly stand for loss of blood. His company commander ordered him to report to the Medical Officer who had him evacuated by helicopter immediately.”

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

"Let the Bastards Come: The Battle for Kapyong Korea, 23 – 25 April 1951" - It seems that one of the Canadian platoon commanders, (Lieutenant Levy), in the Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) could speak Cantonese and spent the night abusing the attacking Chinese:

"The Chinese officer scream: 'Don't listen to that Son of a Turtle' ... A terrible insult in Chinese. The enemy officer urges his troops to press even harder. They assault the Patricia's with ever-increasing numbers laying down heavier small arms, machine gun and mortar fire. The firing becomes intense. After my continuing exchange with the Chinese commander, one of my men shouts; 'Tell the bloody platoon commander to Shut Up!' Each time [these] verbal exchange takes place the Chinese intensify their attacks."

Mike Levy:
https://www.espritdecorps.ca/battle-o...

[Manray9]

I read of the death of Geneviève de Galard, the Angel of Dien Bien Phu, aged 99. She served with valor and was named an honorary member of the Foreign Legion. I have her autobiographical account (as yet unread):

The Angel of Dien Bien Phu: The Lone French Woman at the Decisive Battle for Vietnam


An obit:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjr...

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Sad news, thanks for that link MR9. 99 years old isn't too bad and what a life she had!

[Doubledf99.99]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: ""Let the Bastards Come: The Battle for Kapyong Korea, 23 – 25 April 1951" - It seems that one of the Canadian platoon commanders, (Lieutenant Levy), in the Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantr..."

During the mid 80s our unit did a deployment to Australia for some good warffighter traing and the great soldiers of the 3rd RAR where our hosts. Man we had a good time. Work hard and play hard. Also upon completion we had a great dining in.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Glad to hear the diggers of 3 RAR looked after you guys when you visited Australia! :)

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Apparently, Geoffrey Wawro has a new book due out soon on the Vietnam War; "The Vietnam War A Military History".

The Vietnam War: A Military History by Geoffrey Wawro
Description:
The Vietnam War cast a shadow over the American psyche from the moment it began. In its time it sparked budget deficits, campus protests, and an erosion of US influence around the world. Long after the last helicopter evacuated Saigon, Americans have continued to battle over whether it was ever a winnable war.

Based on thousands of pages of military, diplomatic, and intelligence documents, Geoffrey Wawro's The Vietnam War offers a definitive account of a war of choice that was doomed from its inception. In devastating detail, Wawro narrates campaigns where US troops struggled even to find the enemy in the South Vietnamese wilderness, let alone kill sufficient numbers to turn the tide in their favor. Yet the war dragged on, prolonged by presidents and military leaders who feared the political consequences of accepting defeat. In the end, no number of young lives lost or bombs dropped could prevent America's ally, the corrupt South Vietnamese regime, from collapsing the moment US troops retreated.

Broad, definitive, and illuminating, The Vietnam War offers an unsettling, resonant story of the limitations of American power.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Not due out to 2025 but maybe one of interest is this new book on the Korean War by Richard Dannatt and Robert Lyman:

Korea: War Without End by Richard Dannatt
Description:
A ground-breaking history of this global conflict including the errors and miscalculations.

Korea: War Without End examines the stand-off between East and West in Korea that ultimately defined the second half of the 20th century. It provides a critical analysis of the lack of preparation by the West for war; the results of the North Korean invasion in June 1950; the counter-stroke by MacArthur in September and then the strategic overreach which led to communist China's involvement on the North Korean side, and the rapid escalation to consideration of the use of nuclear weapons.

Through meticulous analysis of all the source material, this book details the chaos of political decision-making at the war's outset and as it progressed. The Korean War was not planned as a Communist offensive against the West. In turn, the East did not understand the principle at the core of the Western response to Kim Il-sung's aggression, namely a refusal to appease an aggressor, the key mistake the West considered to be at the heart of the rise of Nazi Germany and militaristic Japan in the 1930s.

Korea: War Without End also considers the effect of the fighting on civilians. While the war was a proxy one between East and West, the people of Korea suffered immensely, with approximately 3 million war fatalities and a larger proportional civilian death toll than World War II. This is the definitive history of the conflict that is long overdue.

[Bryan]

This looks good, AR. We need more books on this war. Allan Reed Millett never finished his series.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Bryan wrote: "This looks good, AR. We need more books on this war. Allan Reed Millett never finished his series."

That's true Bryan. I recently read his second volume with ended with 1951.

[Bryan]

I looked him up and he is 86 years old, so I don't expect him to finish the series. I hope someone else picks it up.

[Jerome]

Bryan wrote: "I looked him up and he is 86 years old, so I don't expect him to finish the series. I hope someone else picks it up."

I did see this upcoming book from him recently, I don't know how comprehensive it'll be, though.

The War for Korea: 1948-1954

[Manray9]

Today I've picked up --

The Angel of Dien Bien Phu: The Lone French Woman at the Decisive Battle for Vietnam by Geneviève de Galard

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

Great find MR9. Inspiring story.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Great find MR9!

[Doubledf99.99]

Anyone who has Netflix, Surviving Black Hawk Down, is available for viewing and it is intense.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Doubledf99.99 wrote: "Anyone who has Netflix, Surviving Black Hawk Down, is available for viewing and it is intense."

Good to hear, I've marked it down to watch.

[Doubledf99.99]

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkor...

Have been the battlefield museum a few times, it's something to see.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Doubledf99.99 wrote: "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkor...

Have been the battlefield museum a few times, ..."

Thanks for that link. Andrew Salmon has written two excellent books on the Commonwealth forces in the Korean War.

[Doreen]

I am currently reading Hue 1968 :A Turning Point of the American War in Vietnam by Mark Bowden. It really is a tremendous book and I would encourage all to read it!

[André]

Doreen wrote: "I am currently reading Hue 1968"

Doreen, have you heard about the controversy over the famous photograph and the case of mistaken identity of the wounded soldier on the tank?

Here's the fascinating NYT article:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...

Or a shorter version: https://www.navytimes.com/off-duty/mi...

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Doreen wrote: "I am currently reading Hue 1968 :A Turning Point of the American War in Vietnam by Mark Bowden. It really is a tremendous book and I would encourage all to read it!"

It's an excellent read and highly recommended!