Benjamin Lai, Ground Forces in the Korean War 1950-53 (3) (Osprey, 2026)
Of the more than half a million troops that formed the United Nations Command in the Korean War, Bejamin Lai informs us in this latest book in Osprey’s Men-at-Arms series, half were South Koreans, 253,000 were American, and 28,000 came from fourteen supporting countries. Lai surveys the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) and the UN Command (UNC) forces.
Lai traces the origins of the ROKA to the chaos that ensued after the Japanese expulsion in 1945. The new army was backed by the US and was used primarily for policing rebel groups. But they would soon be needed for greater purposes. Lai notes how the ROKA needed re-equipping from their wartime Japanese equipment, and they suffered from poor quality leadership at all levels. They also lacked artillery and armour. When the North Korean hammer fell, the ROKA was found wanting. That prompted a greater ‘americanisation’ of the ROKA to bring it up to combat standards. Lai also surveys the uniforms and equipment of the ROKA soldiers, highlights some of its key units, and reviews the ROK Marine Corps.
The UNC forces are given the same treatment by Lai. He surveys the troops, uniforms, and equipment from the Commonwealth troops, with an emphasis on the British who supplied the biggest contingent. The Belgium-Luxembourg volunteers are included in addition to contingents from Colombia, France, Greece, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Thailand, Türkiye, and Ethiopia. Lai concludes with a brief survey of noncombatant contingents from a host of countries.
Lai’s survey of ROKA and UNC forces is primarily aimed at readers interested in uniforms and equipment. That makes it supplemental, but still useful, for those more interested in the history of the Korean War. Lai’s straightforward text is accompanied by many photographs and colour illustrations of soldiers and equipment, and that is all that is required to create another solid edition to the Men-at-Arms series.
