This gripping new study details the crisis point of the Korean War:
the UN advance across into North Korea and the following Chinese
offensive that drove the forces back south of the 38th Parallel.
Following the Inchon landings and the breakout from the Pusan Perimeter,
UN forces crossed the North Korean border on October 9 and moved on the
capital Pyongyang. Many in America believed the war would be over by
Christmas, but some Washington diplomatic, military, and intelligence
experts continued to raise dire warnings that the People's Republic of
China might intervene. Nevertheless, General MacArthur decided to push
on to the Chinese/North Korean border, the Yalu River. On October 25,
Communist Chinese Forces unexpectedly attacked Republic of Korea forces
near Unsan. Then, on November 25, the day after MacArthur announced a
"final offensive to end the war," the Chinese 13th Army Group struck in
mass against the Eighth Army in the northwest corner of North Korea,
overrunning the US 2nd and 25th Infantry Divisions.
The Chinese attacks quickly shattered Truman's dream of a unified Korea.
American, UN, and ROK forces could not hold a successful defensive line
against the combined CCF and NKPA attacks. At the Chosin Reservoir, US
Marine Corps and Army units retreated south while MacArthur's forces
withdrew from Pyongyang and X Corps later pulled out of Hungnam.
Using expert research, bird's-eye views, and full-color maps, this study
tells the fascinating history of the critical Yalu campaign, including
the famous retreat past the 38th Parallel.
