THE KOREAN WAR

THE WEST CONFRONTS COMMUNISM, 1950-1953

MICHAEL HICKEY

JOHN MURRAY: LONDON
1999

First edition.
This book tells the full story of the first, and critical, test by the Communist bloc of Western military resolve. Instead of concentrating wholly on the American involvement which was of course dominant, Michael Hickey also sets in context the contributions - many of them quite out of proportion to the size of their contingents - of the other nations that answered the DIM call and sent troops in response to the North Koreans' surprise attack, Altogether some 100,000 British troops served, together with proportionate numbers from Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Turkey and elsewhere, Despite problems of culture and logistics, these troops' participation was often crucially important, The Republic of Korea's own army also, became steadily more formidable under tough American training.

Set in the midst of international power politics and fears of a general conflagration, the Korean War at its height involved rapid, large-scale troop movements over long distances as each side experienced both outstanding success and disaster, It included masterstrokes like MacArthur's landing behind the enemy lines at Inchon, drama such as the 'glorious Glosters' episode, and both collaboration and mutiny in the prisoner-of-war camps of either side.

Michael Hickey draws on a number of hitherto unused sources from several countries, including recently declassified documents, regimental archives, diaries and interviews. His book adds extensively to our knowledge of one of the most significant conflicts of modern times.

24 x 16 cm. ii + maps + 397 pp + b/w photo plates.

Very good condition, dust jacket slightly crease and edge worn, previous owner's name on front free endpaper, otherwise clean and tidy.