Benjamin Lai & Zhao Guoxing, Ground Forces in the Korean War 1950-53 (1) (Osprey, 2024)
It is often called the Forgotten War, the clash of communist forces against the United Nations forces in Korea between 1950 and 1953. Far from being a marginalised story in our history books, however, this war was often a desperate struggle with enormous consequences for the political alignment in the Far East after World War II. But what of the soldiers who fought this war? In this Osprey Men-at-Arms series volume Benjamin Lai and Zhao Guoxing survey the North Korean People’s Army and the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army.
The authors trace the origins of the KPA to before World War II, though it became a fully recognised army in 1948. The KPA was heavily backed by the Soviet Union, which was reflected in their organisation and weaponry; it only used T-34 tanks, for example. The KPA’s tactics were not just the ‘meat waves’ you might expect, according to the authors, they used infiltration, concealment, and envelopment to ‘squeeze’ the enemy to disintegration. For communications, KPA soldiers used white flares and bugles because they lacked radios, the psychological impact on the enemy was a bonus. The authors describe the initial offensive by the KPA in the Korean War as a ‘blitzkrieg’. They overwhelmed surprised Republic of Korea units, but they in turn were surprised by General MacArthur’s Inchon landings and were destroyed partly by air power but also through lack of supplies and inadequate training. After their collapse, the KPA rebuilt successfully, though that took time, and by then, the Chinese had taken over the communist war effort. The Chinese People’s Volunteer Army (PVA) did not lack for soldiers, but it needed Soviet air support and armour. Nevertheless, this was a disciplined army that surprised the UN forces, argue Lai and Guoxing. They too lacked some logistical support, and it was June 1951 before they received their trademark padded uniforms and ushanka hats. The PVA tactics were similar to the KPA, with emphasis on striking vulnerable points and getting into the rear of the enemy. Despite massive casualties, the PVA were not afraid as some on the UN side expected they would be, conclude the authors, and the Chinese learned on the job to become a formidable adversary.
As with most of Osprey’s Men-at-Arms series, this one provides an informative narrative context and covers all the basics for the uniforms and weapons of the soldiers. The standard insertion of colour illustrations of the soldiers helps as does the descriptive text that accompanies the numerous photographs running through the text. Wargamers and modelers interested in the Korean War will enjoy this book and will surely look forward to the rest of the series.
