On Sunday; 25 June 1950; Communist North Korea unexpectedly invaded its southern neighbor; the American-backed Republic of Korea (ROK). The poorly equipped ROK Army was no match for the well prepared North Korean People's Army (NKPA) whose armored spearheads quickly thrust across the 38th Parallel. The stunned world helplessly looked on as the out-numbered and outgunned South Koreans were quickly routed. With the fall of the capital city of Seoul imminent; President Harry S. Truman ordered General of the Army Douglas MacArthur; Commander in Chief; Far East; in Tokyo; to immediately pull all American nationals in South Korea out of harm's way. During the course of the resultant noncombatant evacuation operations an unmanned American transport plane was destroyed on the ground and a flight of U.S. Air Force aircraft were buzzed by a North Korean Air Force plane over the Yellow Sea without any shots being fired. On 27 July; an American combat air patrol protecting Kimpo Airfield near the South Korean capital actively engaged menacing North Korean planes and promptly downed three of the five Soviet-built Yak fighters. Soon thereafter American military forces operating under the auspices of the United Nations Command (UNC) were committed to thwart a Communist takeover of South Korea. Thus; only four years and nine months after V-J Day marked the end of World War II; the United States was once again involved in a shooting war in Asia.
#900163 in Books Osprey Publishing 2016-10-18 2016-10-18Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 249.17 x 5.33 x 7.25l; .43 #File Name: 147281606464 pages9781472816061
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The Light Bobs...By HMS WarspiteThe British Light Infantry; including the legendary Light Division; earned themselves an enviable reputation during the Napoleonic Wars. The future Duke of Wellington's magnificent Anglo-Portuguese Army fought an succession of French armies to a bloody standstill while liberating Portugal and Spain in the course of a six year war. Light infantry was a key component of Wellington's army in the Peninsula; and was again at Waterloo in 1815. This is their story; in brief."British Light Infantry Rifle Tactics of the Napoleonic Wars" is an Osprey Elite Series book; authored by experienced historian Philip Haythornthwaite; with illustrations by Adam Hook. The book explores the concept of light infantry and its implementation within the British Army. The narrative covers the unique uniforms and equipment often used by light infantry units; along with their training and tactical doctrine. The best part of the book; for this reviewer; was a chapter for Light Infantry on campaign; and another which dissected three representative combat actions. The diagrams explaining the movements of light infantry formations on the battlefield were especially illustrative.This is a short book at under 65 pages; but it is a good introduction to the topic. The text is nicely supplemented by lots of period and modern illustrations and diagrams. Highly recommended to students of the British Army in the Napoleonic period.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy Jim Apretty good outline of the development of British Light Infantry /Rifles during the Napoleonic Wars0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy R. P. MyersPretty good book
