Erik's Korean War

[KarisFraMauro]

You wouldn't happen to know of any good books on the Korean war, something tactically oriented and (relatively) dispassionate? I got one that looked promising from the local library a couple years back but it turned out, much to my astonishment, to essentially be North Korean propaganda. Actually quite impressed the library would have it, in a way, but didn't really enlighten me much.

[Erik2]

Personally I don't have any physical books on the Korean War.

I have attached a pdf summary of the war I found on the net. I think it was prepared by the US Military.
At the end of the file is a list of recommended reading.
I have used this article for adding commanders (next mod version).

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ehutcpa6xbt7o ... y.zip?dl=0

[KarisFraMauro]

Thanks Mark, I'll go looking for the one you suggested. If the local library ever reopens, sigh... I've read some great books about Vietnam and the Falklands over the years. One about Vietnam called "The Tunnels of Ku-Chi" (I think that's how it was spelled, correct me if I'm wrong) had an absolutely bonkers description of anti-aircraft booby traps. Apparently they'd stick anti-tank mines in trees so that when helicopters flew low overhead they'd be triggered by the wind. One wonders as to the actual effectiveness, but it demonstrates an impressive creativity.

[Erik2]

Link updated in first post.

Today is the 70 year anniversary for the start of the Korean War.

Added commanders (McArthur etc) to Chosin Reservoir.

Added mini-campaign '89 Tank Bn Korea 1950-51' (5 scenarios).
I have only had time to test thoroughly the first 2 scenarios...(I know this release is a bit premature)
The real commander of the unit (Welborn Griffin Dolvin) is in place and I have used edited versions of the stock US commanders to 'simulate' his subordinates.
Known issues: For some reason some of the new commanders have poicked up the names of stock commanders. I hope GabeKnight can take a look at this when he's back from his vacation.
There is also some victory/defeat messages missing.

Anyway, have fun and please report any other issues in this thread.

[Mascarenhas]

Hi Erik,

Pls, check first mission script in the mini campaign. I killed 5 tanks but had it marked as failed.

[Erik2]

Thanks, I'll check the tank kills.

Fixed
You can replace the scenario file with this edited version.

[Mascarenhas]

Thanks, man.

[Mascarenhas]

Sorry, Erik, but the second mission of this mini campaign will need you attention too. The objective triggers are not working well. In spite of achieving every requirement, I still got a draw. The main objectives were met, and the secondary too, but nothing better than that was my outcome.

[Erik2]

Fixed. Thanks.
02Race scenario file attached.
Main download updated.

[Mascarenhas]

Replaced, thank you.

[Erik2]

Korea 0.13b
Link updated in first post.

Fixed commander names.

89th Tank campaign:
US faction set to 'no-purchase' in all scenarios.
Fixed air unit supply in two scenarios.
US air units are now non-core.
Fixed sec obj in one scenario.
Fixed US supply in last scenario,

[Zekedia222]

2) Out of proportions refers to the differences between UN forces x Chinese in the scenario. UN is very weak and without enough resources to face the overwhelming numbers of Chinese infantry. Moreover, both the Chinese and UN factions lack contemporaneous units in the field, especially air units which, at that time, were composed by may jet fighters and helicopters. Also, the lack of armor among the Chinese side seems unrealistic to me.

This is 100% historically accurate, particularly for the Chosin Few. The Chosin Reservoir campaign was the first engagement of the Communist Chinese military. The UN forces at the Chosin were few, while the Chinese were completely overwhelming. It is an absolute MIRACLE anyone survived that campaign. I even have a book about this campaign. At one point, a single company is attacked by HUNDREDS, if not THOUSANDS of Chinese soldiers. They held, mostly due to the low quality of Chinese infantry, but still.
Also, at the Chosin Reservoir, there was almost NO Chinese armor. Why? Because no one was supposed to no the Chinese were there. The traveled mainly at night, using stealth tactics. This also disregards the terrain surrounding the Chosin. Like most of North Korea, It is a mountainous, near completely desolate waste, of unbearable snow in winter. The tanks could’ve made that journey, at least given the Chinese tactics.

[Zekedia222]

You wouldn't happen to know of any good books on the Korean war, something tactically oriented and (relatively) dispassionate? I got one that looked promising from the local library a couple years back but it turned out, much to my astonishment, to essentially be North Korean propaganda. Actually quite impressed the library would have it, in a way, but didn't really enlighten me much.

I have one, but it is solely about the Chosin Reservoir Campaign. It’s called “On Desperate Ground,” by Hampton Sides. Absolutely amazing book.

[Mascarenhas]

Thanks for the clarification, Zekedia. Since there's no miracle in human actions, I think we should focus on the causes and conditions the UN forces managed to survive and ultimately be saved. Was it the difference in training/quality of troops or commanders? Was it tactical decisions? Or did the Allies had overwhelming air support? I really like to understand it better.

[Zekedia222]

Well, first I’d say the quality. Many of these Chinese troops weren’t that great a quality. Many were living off of pre-cooked riceballs for food, and had marched many miles in the snow and dark. Some didn’t even have shoes! The UN did have air support, and it was certainly in use (I believe the first African American naval pilot crashed there), so that is part of it. I guess most of it would be tactical decision, but I don’t think so. There weren’t may great tactical decisions. That isn’t to say there weren’t any at all, but there were a few. I honestly think that the individual soldier is what won it.
Example: During the battle between a company and hundreds of Chinese soldiers, 2 guys were laying in their foxhole far away from where the Chinese were attacking. They crawled back, except a grenade exploded near them and completely blinded one of them. The blind guy reloaded weapons ALL NIGHT, while the not blind guy was unloading on the Chinese, while also using his entrenching shovel to bat away grenades. That entire position would’ve been compromised, and thus the entire camp, had he not done this.
Example 2: A man had his legs blown off, was captured, then “executed” but he survived. He crawled across the Chosin reservoir on his elbows, because he didn’t have any knees left. He was rescued, and he survived.
Example 3: A commanding officer was shot multiple times in the head, but lived. He was walking up and down his line, when a Chinese sniper shot him in the mouth. He used a POCKET KNIFE to remove the bullet, in the field. He was shot in the head, in such a way that one of his eyes popper out. He proceeded to shove his own eye back into his own skull.

[KarisFraMauro]

Amazingly, the local library actually has a book I want for a change! Just placed a hold for "On Desperate Ground" since they don't allow people to actually enter the library these days... Hopefully I can pick it up outside in a couple days, and thanks for the recommendation Zekedia.

[Mascarenhas]

Another hypothesis could be of strategic conditions. The Chinese still hadn't THE BOMB, so they could be on fear that the Americans could drop one on them if they really massacred Allied troops in the field, and also bringing this conflict to another, dangerous scale. What do you think of that?

[Zekedia222]

Amazingly, the local library actually has a book I want for a change! Just placed a hold for "On Desperate Ground" since they don't allow people to actually enter the library these days... Hopefully I can pick it up outside in a couple days, and thanks for the recommendation Zekedia.

Hopefully it is what you’re looking for.
The only issues are the relative lack of perspective from the Chinese perspective, though it has some (more than most documentaries), and quite a bit of swearing from the Marines. I can’t blame them, though. If I was in -30 degree snow, in the Korean mountains, without any potential support, besides their small airstrip, I’d be swearing like a sailor

[Zekedia222]

Another hypothesis could be of strategic conditions. The Chinese still hadn't THE BOMB, so they could be on fear that the Americans could drop one on them if they really massacred Allied troops in the field, and also bringing this conflict to another, dangerous scale. What do you think of that?

I don’t know. That’s possible, and that was actually a possibility, until President Truman got rid of MacArthur because of it. He kept saying to nuke China, a Truman (rightfully, in my opinion) didn’t want to.

[GabeKnight]

Some unit update/preview:

Screenshot 183.jpg (985.24 KiB) Viewed 2505 times

Screenshot 184.jpg (933.81 KiB) Viewed 2505 times