Ground Forces in the Korean War (1)

 This is a new Osprey MAA on the North Korean and Chinese ground forces in the Korean War by Benjamin Lai and Zhao Guoxing. There is an old 1980s Osprey on this conflict, but the subject deserves a more up-to-date and detailed series. I got drawn into this as a project when researching the Turkish troops for my book on the Cyprus crisis of 1963. I restricted myself to 10mm, and the air war, as lovely as the Warlord figures are, it was just too much repetitive painting in 28mm.

The authors start with some helpful historical background, reminding us that the Chinese have always seen Korea as the back door to China, which MacArthur might have recognised if he had read more history. Chinese intervention was not simply ideological. The origins of the North Korean Army (KPA) predated WW2 and included service in Chinese and Soviet forces. Kim Il-sung learned his trade in these conflicts, and the Soviets brought him back when they arrived in Korea in 1945 after the Japanese collapse.

We then get chapters on the KPA structure and doctrine. Initially equipped with captured Japanese weapons, they received modern Soviet weapons before manufacturing their own versions. Equipment included 150 T34/85 tanks and 32 SPGs. Organisation was on the Soviet model, although they were short of radios. A brief chapter on the Korean War actions focuses on how the KPA was forced to reorganise after being pushed back from South Korea. For more on this, there is a good Osprey essential histories study of the war.

This approach is replicated for the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA). Mao and Stalin did not want to get involved in the war, viewing it as a Korean squabble. Kim did not share his invasion plans and thought he could win without Chinese or Russian help. However, when US forces moved to the border, the age-old fear of invasion kicked in, and troops were diverted to shore up the North Korean position. It was a rushed job with summer uniforms and a mixture of weapons. The classic padded uniform came later. PVA tactics were based on the infiltration system they had learned during their civil war, and UN troops often described being surrounded. Effective use of terrain and camouflage was a key element. Again, the shortage of radios meant relying on horns and whistles, a practical measure not designed to intimidate. They were also short of support weapons, including machine guns and mortars.

As you would expect from this series, there are plenty of photographs and excellent colour plates—everything the wargamer needs. I use Blitzkrieg Commander rules for the Korean War, which is just an extension of WW2. There is an excellent supplement which I highly recommend.