This is the second book in an ongoing trilogy about the military career
of a remarkable soldier and officer. The first book, "To the Last Man!"
Kulbes' Mongrels at the Chosin Reservoir, described D Company of the
10th Combat Engineers during the icy ordeal at the Chosin Reservoir and
their against-all-odds withdrawal to Pusan.
During the month of November 1950, 350,000 Chinese troops quietly joined
forces with a nearly defeated North Korean People's Army. On November
28, the two armies initiated a surprise counter-attack against combined
South Korean, American, and United Nations' forces so confident of
victory that their northern advance had been labeled the "Home By
Christmas Offensive." The undetected build-up of forces in those snowy
peaks and canyons was a remarkable military feat. Equally remarkable was
the subsequent defense and evacuation from Hungnam to Pusan by the 7th
and 5th Marines, to which Kulbes' Mongrels had been temporarily
attached.
By the time the Mongrels arrived at Hamhung, inside the perimeter held
by General Soule's Third Division, they had suffered more than 50%
casualties. Their daily reports had been lost in the chaos of battle,
however, and for too long, they were not recognized for their role at
the Chosin. Their status as a temporarily "lost" company, combined with
their cocky attitude, created ongoing friction with headquarters. As a
result, they were assigned to demolition of docks and ordnance and had
to watch as units they had fought alongside debarked for the security of
Pusan. In reality, that assignment was probably both a punishment for
their cocky attitude as well as recognition of their notable efficiency
as combat engineers. "War Dawgs" was General Soule's nickname for the
Mongrels.
