059 US SOLDIER vs CHINESE SOLDIER: Korea 1951-53

Armed and equipped with much the same weaponry and doctrine that they had employed in the last years of World War II, US units in Korea would often find themselves outnumbered and fighting in extremely difficult terrain that precluded the widespread use of armor. Having been at war more or less continuously since 1937, the Chinese would prove to be a formidable foe. Buoyed by success in the recent Chinese Civil War, the Chinese contingent committed to Korea was composed of experienced and dedicated troops and it would make its mark once more in Korea.

This study assesses the US and Chinese forces that clashed at Chipyong-ni (February 13-15, 1951), Triangle Hill (October 14-November 25, 1952), and Pork Chop Hill (July 6-11, 1953), casting light on the origins, doctrine, combat effectiveness, and reputation of these two very different forces during the struggle for victory in Korea.