A New Battlefield: The Royal Ulster Rifles in Korea, 1950-51 - Softcover

Orr, David R.; Truesdale, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1908916923 ISBN 13: 9781908916921

Publisher: Helion and Company, 2013

Synopsis

Since the publication of The Rifles Are There in 2005, which dealt with the 1st and 2nd Battalions Royal Ulster Rifles in the Second World War, it was felt by many that a follow up volume dealing with the Korean conflict was overdue. A limited yet competent history had been produced in 1953 by the then Adjutant Captain Hugh Hamill, although this has been long out of print.

A New Battlefield follows the Battalion as it prepares for the first major conflict fought by Britain since the defeat of the Japanese in 1945. During the summer of 1950 the Battalion was stationed at Sobraon Barracks in Colchester and was in the process of being issued with desert kit for a tour of duty at Khartoum in the Sudan and its numbers were just under four hundred men. For service in Korea these numbers had to be drastically increased and drafts of volunteers and reservists were brought in from various sources. Consequently this 'Irish' Battalion contained men from the Lancastrian Brigade, Welsh Brigade, Mercian Brigade, the Light Infantry and other Battalions of the Irish Brigade. The Irish Brigade also reinforced other regiments, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers sending two officers and fifty 'other ranks' to the King's (Liverpool) Regiment. Despite their varied backgrounds all ranks soon coalesced into a professional unit that took the campaign in its stride. From winter temperatures that dropped well below 40f to a summer heat that rose to 105f with a humidity to match these men survived all and dealt with a brave and tenacious enemy. The Battalion sailed for Korea in October 1950 and fought its first major action in January 1951 at Chaegunghyon, or as it was known to the Rifles, 'Happy Valley'. Here, for the first time they faced an enemy that often literally fought to the death, despite overwhelming firepower, bombing and widespread use of napalm. Three months later, on the banks of the Imjin River, the Rifles, in conjunction with the remainder of 29 Brigade, faced an army that came in such numbers that running out of ammunition before the enemy ran out of men became a reality.

Besides numerous photographs there are also appendices including Honours and Awards, Operation 'Spitfire', an Order of Battle for 29 Brigade, and a Nominal Roll, which includes casualties.

About this title

About the Author

David R Orr devotes much of his spare time to the field of military research and has supplied research material and photographs for several books. A member of The Royal Ulster Constabulary GC Historical Society, Society of Friends of the Airborne Museum, Oosterbeek, Police History Society, Society of Friends, Royal Irish Fusiliers Museum and The Military History Society of Ireland, he has delivered talks to local history groups, historical societies, museums and Regimental Associations. Author of "Duty Without Glory - The Story of Ulster's Home Guard in the Second World War and Cold War" and co-author of The Rifles are There: 1st & 2nd Battalions The Royal Ulster Rifles in the Second World War he is currently completing the researching and writing of the history of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve Force and is working in collaboration on a history of the Ulster Volunteer Force and 36th Ulster Division. He is married with two sons, lives in Belfast and works full-time which impacts on his available time for writing and research, which also competes with a number of other interests and hobbies.

David Truesdale retired in 1998 and since then has produced seven books on military history as well as writing for films and television and producing battlefield guides. For relaxation he paints in watercolours following the Kelly and Moffett schools of innovation, photographs wildlife' listens to good music, drinks red wine and finds that Tommaso Albinoni (1671-17450) and his Oboe Concerto in D Minor, Op.9, No.2, has been an inspiration during difficult times in any manuscript.

Edition details

• Publisher: Helion and Company
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1908916923
• ISBN 13: 9781908916921
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272