Fight Dig and Live (4 reviews)
Found in: Military Biography
Hardback 212 pages
ISBN: 9781848846845
add to Wishlist 
link to pagesend page
The Story of the Royal Engineers in the Korean War
General Sir George Cooper GCB, MC, DLFound in: Military Biography
Hardback 212 pages
ISBN: 9781848846845
Published: 30 November 2011
£15.99
was £19.99
Get this title for just £13.59 by becoming a Platinum Member. Whats this?
add to Wishlist
link to pagesend page
The deeply unpleasant Korean War began in 1950 with an unprovoked attack by North Korea. Hostilities went on for three long years, followed by an uneasy armistice that continues to this day. United Kingdom casualties amounted to some 300 Officers and 4,000 Other Ranks, many of them conscripts, while a total of over 100,000 United Nations soldiers were killed and three times that number wounded.
A Royal Engineer Field Squadron deployed to Korea in late 1950 and this was expanded to a Regiment the following year. Often involved in fierce fighting, the Sappers suffered grievous casualties including 42 killed and several hundred wounded. Their gallantry was rewarded by numerous awards, including a CBE, an OBE and eight MBEs, two DSOs, thirteen MCs, eight MMs and, most notably, a Distinguished Conduct Medal, second only to the Victoria Cross. It was a vicious war whose intensity never
slackened; in the last two months alone the Communist artillery fired over 700,000 rounds against just under five million fired back by United Nations forces. The Royal Engineers, among them the Author, were indispensible at all levels, from the forward areas, where they were often involved in close-quarter fighting, right back to the base in Japan. Their skills and roles varied from patrolling, river crossing and road building, to mine-clearing and -laying, defence works, bridging and postal services, so vital for morale. Other tasks included blowing things up (always a favourite occupation) and clearing booby traps (less popular). In a war zone with one of the most inhospitable climates in the world, merely keeping alive was a challenge. This book is not merely a gripping, yet thoroughly readable, account of the Sappers’ achievement but a tribute to the sacrifice of those who did not return.
A Royal Engineer Field Squadron deployed to Korea in late 1950 and this was expanded to a Regiment the following year. Often involved in fierce fighting, the Sappers suffered grievous casualties including 42 killed and several hundred wounded. Their gallantry was rewarded by numerous awards, including a CBE, an OBE and eight MBEs, two DSOs, thirteen MCs, eight MMs and, most notably, a Distinguished Conduct Medal, second only to the Victoria Cross. It was a vicious war whose intensity never
slackened; in the last two months alone the Communist artillery fired over 700,000 rounds against just under five million fired back by United Nations forces. The Royal Engineers, among them the Author, were indispensible at all levels, from the forward areas, where they were often involved in close-quarter fighting, right back to the base in Japan. Their skills and roles varied from patrolling, river crossing and road building, to mine-clearing and -laying, defence works, bridging and postal services, so vital for morale. Other tasks included blowing things up (always a favourite occupation) and clearing booby traps (less popular). In a war zone with one of the most inhospitable climates in the world, merely keeping alive was a challenge. This book is not merely a gripping, yet thoroughly readable, account of the Sappers’ achievement but a tribute to the sacrifice of those who did not return.
This book is not only a fascinating account of the Sappers' achievement but a tribute to the sacrifice of those who did not return.
Britain at War Magazine
This book is not merely a gripping yet thoroughly readable, account of the sappers achievement but a tribute to the scarifies of those who did not return.Modeling Magazine
The story is well balances, covering both the exciting fighting and myriad of often banal, yet essential, tasks carried out in an operational theatre. A good, if slightly niche, account.Soldier magazine
This gripping an sometimes humorous book of resource and courage in a vicious war – the first fought under UN auspices – reminds us that Sappers are fighting soldiers, none more resourceful or steadfast. Whether... [read full review]The Times
Product Extracts
Register now to post your own review and get a £1 voucher for every review you submit!
The battle of the Hook Korea 1952-53
by A J Barker
Our Price: £19.99
About General Sir George Cooper GCB, MC, DL
General Sir George Cooper GCB MC DL was commissioned into the Royal Engineers and served as a Troop Commander in Korea (where he was awarded the Military Cross). His career culminated as Adjutant General (the second most senior Army appointment). He has been Colonel Commandant Royal Engineers and Chief Royal Engineer.He is co-author of an acclaimed anthology The Bengal Sappers (2003).
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Platinum
