Osprey's survey of Marines during the second half of the Vietnam War (1955-1975). The period following World War II (1939-1945) saw a number of associated Marine Corps; three of whom fought together during the war in Vietnam from 1965 to 1973. These Corps were similar formations; but each had its own history and traditions: they were the United States Marines; the Vietnamese Marines; and the Korean Marines. Common to them was a reputation for toughness on themselves and any foreign or domestic enemies; strong unit pride and loyalty; and a privileged place within the political structure of their respective countries. This title by US Marine historian Charles Melson describes the history; weapons; equipment; uniforms and insignia of the US; Vietnamese and Korean Marines who fought in Vietnam.
#2280903 in Books 2012-03-27 2012-04-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.20 x 1.10 x 6.20l; 1.30 #File Name: 184832605X304 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A fine collection!By Wade KAs per my reviews of the other volumes; this is a "must have" for anyone interested in the 100 Days campaign and the life of soldiers n the field during the last gasp of the Napoleonic wars. A fine collection!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. ExcellentBy geegeewaterlooBy Adrian Goldsworthy (Historian)Waterloo Archive IIIOne hundred and ninety-seven years ago today; Napoleon attacked the Allied armies in Belgium; beginning the brief campaign that culminated at Waterloo on the 18th June 1815. So all in all; this seems like a good time to talk about the period; especially as I have just finished reading the third volume of Gareth Glover's The Waterloo Archive published by Frontline Books earlier this year. As usual it is packed with wonderful accounts of the Hundred Days; in this case written by British participants. There are lots of little details that sometimes contradict the now well established story of the Waterloo campaign. So for instance; in the very first letter - written by George Scovell famous as the code breaker - there is a dismissive denial of the often repeated tale of the Duke of Wellington leaping over the line formed by the 92nd at Quatre Bras. According to Scovell - 'I was with the Duke; and we were retiring before a charge of the enemy's cavalry; when the Duke cried out; "Make way men; make way!" and a passage was opened for us.' It may be less dramatic; but certainly has the ring of truth about it. In his account of the same battle; Lt. Malcolm of the 42nd says that the 'regiment formed squares of wings.' I had always assumed that the battalion formed a single square when charged by the French lancers and will have to go and look at what the other accounts say; for this is part of the famous incident when lancers are said to have got inside the square which then managed to close around them.There is a lot of specific military detail of this sort in the volume; but I would also recommend anyone with a wider interest in Regency life to take a look. Included are letters written by The Earl of Uxbridge and his wife Charlotte during the former's recovery after losing his leg at Waterloo. The story of their romance reads like a novel; for Charlotte was originally married to one of Wellington's brothers. Uxbridge - then Lord Paget - had an affair with her and they eloped after his return from Corunna. When he departed for the Walcheren campaign; Charlotte returned to her former husband's care to be delivered of Paget's child. Later the divorce was completed and she and her lover married. These private letters speak of the deep love between the pair. So too do some other sets of correspondence between husbands and wives; most notably the exchange between Sergeant Tennant of the 3/1st Guards and his wife Ann; dealing with such everyday matters as what to name the child she was expecting when he left for Flanders. It is always especially interesting to see more of the lives of soldiers and their families; but perhaps the most striking thing is how modern these seem in their concerns. It can be difficult to rid ourselves of the stereotype of poorly educated soldiers. Even fuller are the frequent letters from Captain Ilbert RA to his wife Anne. Ilbert missed Waterloo itself; but provides a detailed picture of life for the army before and after the battle. He and his wife employed a code in their letters; perhaps to permit great intimacy; but the deep affection is obvious in the main text. Sadly; the captain died early the next year before he and his beloved wife were reunited.Austen fans might well appreciate the deep concern of Lt. Johnston of the Inniskilling Dragoons not to ' ... familiarize myself with people in this country that I might be ashamed of in my own ... ' while stationed in France after Waterloo. He writes that 'one of my principles since I have been out in the world is to do everything in a gentlemanlike way or else not to do it at all ... nothing but my pride has carried me through many a trial.' A less 'proper' insight into the life of a regency buck comes from the letters of Cornet Kinchant of the Scots Greys; who tells of the 'bawdy houses' in Belgium. 'When you enter one of these houses you are ushered into a room adapted for the purpose and immediately 10 or 12 girls present themselves so that any one that may be a good judge of that species of biped may have an opportunity of selecting a capital goer.' It is understandably rare to find mention of such things in soldiers' published accounts; and even in private letters.All in all; this is highly recommended for military enthusiasts and those with an interest in the period in general. More details can be found at Gareth Glover's website along with the many other fascinating documents this writer keeps hunting out and publishing. Historians owe him a big debt. His works continue to provide plenty of inspiration for my novels.
