Today the Korean War (25 June 1950-27 July 1953), is often dubbed the ‘Forgotten War,’ overshadowed by its proximity to the Second World War and by later conflicts, notably Vietnam and those in the Middle East. Yet, for the British, at least, it will forever be linked to 1^st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, owing to its epic stand on the Imjin River during April 1951, an action that earned it numerous gallantry awards, a U.S. Presidential Unit Citation, and the journalistic sobriquet ‘Glorious Glosters.’ In this new history of the Glosters, Robert Dixon, provides a portrait of the Battalion from the time of its mobilisation during summer 1950 through to its eventual return to the UK from Korea in late 1951. He is well placed to write such an account, given that his Army career culminated in commanding 1 Glosters during the latter stages of a Berlin tour, before leading it on a two year engagement in Northern Ireland, plus since retiring from the Army he has been extensively involved with the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum, including handling ancestry enquiries regarding the Korean War. Thus, he brings not only his professional perspective as a former infantry officer, but also great knowledge on the Korean War heritage of his former Battalion, reinforced by the fact that when he joined it in the late 1960s there were still a number of Korean War veterans serving, plus he is a native of Gloucestershire.      

The invasion of South Korea by North Korea in June 1950 prompted an international response, and the American led United Nations Command (UNC) was established to co-ordinate military aspects. Crucially, Korea represented the first time the UN acted to resist aggression. Eventually, the UNC drew on the resources of 21 countries, and over 118,000 UN troops were killed, over 260,000 wounded, and around 92,000 captured. Total Communist casualties are harder to quantify, but 1,600,000 is probably a conservative estimate. Equally, around 3 million Korean civilians perished, many owing to American bombing. The war was fought over difficult terrain, and in an unforgiving climate, largely with weaponry and equipment of Second World War vintage, although there were notable exceptions, such as the 3.5 inch Rocket Launcher (Super Bazooka) that equipped British infantry, and British manufactured Centurion Mk. III tank that performed admirably, especially in support of infantry.

The introduction to the book vividly highlights the special bond of comradeship that existed between Korean War veterans in later years, and fittingly dedicates the book to Colonel Carne and his men, who as the author states: ‘deserve to be remembered.’ Chapter One then covers ‘Mobilisation, Training and Arrival in Korea.’ This incorporates discussion on the composition and equipment of an infantry battalion c. 1950, extremely useful background for anyone unfamiliar with such detail. A brief outline of the causes of the war, and the situation in summer 1950 follows, before tackling the mobilisation of 29^th Infantry Brigade Group, of which 1 Glosters were a part. Notably, attention is drawn to the value of re-called reservists, who were the backbone of the Battalion, and brought extensive experience, plus K Volunteers who signed on for a special engagement in Korea. Related is the inclusion of a breakdown of ‘The Glosters’ based on Colonel Harding’s The Imjin Roll which amply demonstrates the high level of experience which existed in the Battalion, and would have been reflective of the rest of 29^th Brigade as well. Likewise, the Battalion’s voyage from Southampton to Pusan aboard the Empire Windrush is neatly described, before the chapter outlines the situation that existed in Korea c. October-November 1950, as the Battalion embarked for then arrived in theatre.      

The second chapter discusses ‘Advance into and Withdrawal from North Korea,’ and draws heavily on the memories of Digby Grist, the second in command, who published an extremely readable account of Korea, entitled: Remembered with Advantage. This reviewer especially enjoyed the selection of photographs on page 29 that look as if they probably come from The Back Badge (the Regimental Journal), and vividly demonstrate how harsh conditions were for troops in the field, and illustrate the dilapidated state of many of the Army’s vehicles, an issue that appears in other British sources on the war. During February 1951, General Ridgway, who had by then assumed command of Eighth Army, launched Operation Thunderbolt, one of his limited offensives intended ultimately to drive the Chinese back towards the 38^th Parallel. As part of it the Glosters were tasked with mounting a battalion-sized attack on Hill 327. This was achieved with great élan, and much of the ‘fighting had been hand-to-hand, grenades and bayonets, a real test of infantry training.’ Subsequently, the chapter briefly outlines the situation that existed in Korea during March-April 1951, and led up to the famous Battle of the Imjin.

Chapter Four provides a detailed day-by-day account of the Imjin battle, which compliments existing published sources on it, and is supported by a range of contemporary photographs, maps and sketches. Crucially, it observes that the positions held by 29^th Brigade, were not intended to be serious defensively, but rather a spring board before advancing further forward to establish a firmer line. Unlike the commonly held view that the battle started on 22 April, the author notably explains how in reality it commenced on 21 April, as that was when first contact with the enemy occurred. The following chapter highlights the plight of personnel captured at the Imjin, and is mainly concerned with personal experiences at the point of capture. A later chapter details the grim march north, and the torrid experience of life in POW camps in North Korea, particularly Communist attempts at political indoctrination, and the often brutal treatment meted out to those deemed un-cooperative.  

Chapter Six describes how the Battalion was reconstituted after its ordeal during the Battle of the Imjin, when over 500 other ranks alone were captured, before going on to narrate the part the Glosters played in the war until October 1951 when relieved by 1^st Battalion Welch Regiment. Additionally, the reader is provided with an overview of the war c. May-October 1951, which again will be useful for anyone unfamiliar with the topic. The book ends with chapters on the experience of the unit returning to the UK; the aftermath of the war, including casualty figures, and brief discussion on political and military lessons from Korea. Comment is then passed on ‘The Legacy within the Gloucestershire Regiment’ of its war experience during 1950-1951. A very human touch is the inclusion of biographies of personnel who feature prominently in the book, and finally many readers may find the appendices useful. These are: Order of Battle for 29^th Brigade 1950-1951; notes on the Joint Services Compassionate Care Centre (which tries to identify the remains of historic British war dead); and a copy of the U.S. Presidential Unit Citation. For anyone requiring further information, the bibliography highlights many of the key published sources on the Korean War, from a British perspective.

This book is thoroughly recommended, and will appeal to anyone interested in the Korean War, and Gloucestershire Regiment in particular. It might also be appreciated by anyone interested more broadly in the post-war British Army, as well as the general reader. Copies can be purchased from the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum, which is a good way to support them.

James Goulty (Author of Eyewitness Korea: The Experience of British and American Soldiers during the Korean War 1950-1953).