In the final episode of this podcast series, I tell of some of the major incidents along the Demilitarised Zone and off the seas of Korea that have occurred since the end of the Korean War.
In this the second of three special episode to wrap up on the Korean War, I shall attempt to answer question sent to me by listeners.
In the first of three special episode, I tell the stories of some of the winners of the congressional medal of honour and the Victoria Cross won during the Korean War.
At last the final day of the Korean War arrives. An armistice is signed at Panmunjon between Nam Il and Harrison. However there are still artillery and air attacks even on this last day. Both sides withdraw two kilometres and there is an exchange of prisoners of war between the two sides at Panmunjon. A review of the performance of General Maxwell Taylor, Mark Clarke and Peng.
The peace talks at Panmunjon make slow but steady progress to reaching a cease fire deal to end the Korean War. However there still time for the Chinese Army to successfully launch their summer offensive against the South Korean Army. Once the offensive is over an arrangement is finally reached. a biography of William Harrision leader of the United Nations delegation at the peace talks.
Fighting along the front line in June 1953. The South Korean President Rhee orders that 25,000 North Korean Prisoners of War who do not wish to return to North Korea are to be helped to escape. A biography of the South Korean Minster of Nation Security who planed the escape. The fury of the American forces Rhee to agree an armistice.
Fighting along the front line in May 1953 but the Korean War was not ended on the battlefield but at the peace talks at Panmunjon. The peace began again and make slow but steady progress. A biography of Nam Il the head of the North Korean delegation. The South Korean President Rhee bitterly opposes any suggestion of a peace deal.
The Chinese Army overruns Old Baldy and American attempts to recapture it fails. General Maxwell Taylor the commander of the Eighth Army decides to halt any further counter attacks. The battle for Pork Chop Hill begins, the Chinese Army but this time in heavy fighting the American Army retains control of the hill. Serious talks to begin between Communist and the United Nations about ending the Korean War. A biography of John Foster Dulles the American Secretary of State.
Stalin's health is poor due to old age but he blames the Doctors, so begins the Doctors Plot and the arrest of hundreds of doctors. In March 1953, after a heavy drinking Stalin suffers a stroke and dies a few days latter. The new Soviet leadership decide they want an end to the Korean War. There is a power struggle within the new Soviet leadership. The Communist and United Nations exchange sick and wounded prisoners of war. A biography of Beira the murderous head of the Soviet secret police.
The fighting along the front line in January and February 1953. The failure of the American attack upon Spud Hill. The life of an American infantryman in the Korean War. Van Fleet is replaced as the commander of the Eighth Army by Maxwell Taylor. A review of the performance of Van Fleet and the biography of Maxwell Taylor.
Fighting along the front line during November and December 1952. The strength of the defences of both sides. The state of Communist China and North Korea during the Korean War. Mao launches a major purge within China. Kim Il Sung the North Korean leaders wants a truce but Stalin refuses. A biography of Zhou Enlai, the Chinese Foreign Minster.
As peace talks brake down in September 1952, the Chinese and North Korean Armies launch a number of attacks along the front line. General Van Fleet launches his own offensive Operation Showdown against the Chinese position at Triangle Hill and Sniper Ridge. The story of Ralph Pomeroy who won the Medal of Honour at Triangle Hill.
Hill fighting along the front continues in July and August 1952. An American Steel strike affects the production of arms and equipment. Eisenhower wins the election to become President in November 1952. He goes to Korea to see the Generals and the front line. A biography of Dwight Eisenhower.
The American seize two hills from the Chinese, Old Baldy and Pork Chop Hill. The Chinese Army launch fierce counter attacks to regain Old Baldy but fail to retake the hill. The medical services provided to help the wounded. The Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals. A biography of General Mark Clarke the new commander of American forces in the Far East.
The lull in fighting along the front line continues but the war carries on the sky and the sea. The American Air Force concentrates its bombing missions on destroying the Communist supply lines but with only limited success. Later the Air Force attack certain targets such as Power plants, Dams and Rice Warehouses with more success. The United Nations Naval forces continue the blockage of North Korea. A biography of Admiral Briscoe, the commander of American Naval forces.
There is a lull in the fighting along the front line. The need to retrain the South Korean Army. Living standards among ordinary South Korean fall sharply during the war. The repressive nature of the Rhee regime. President Rhee tries to block attempts to end the war in Korea. A biography of Tiger Kim a brutal South Korean Police chief.
The fighting along the front decreases as a result of the winter weather. The failure of the American Air force campaign to halt supplies reaching the Communist armies. The plight of United Nations prisoners of war held by the Communist, their high death rate and poor conditions. A biography of Otto Weyland, the commander of the American Air Force in the Far East.
The battle of the Bloody Angle within the Iron triangle. The Americans win the battle for Heartbreak Ridge but at a cost. The 1st and 9th undertake a slight advance forward. Air battles in North West Korea. The Columbian Battalion during the Korean War. The plight of Communist prisoners of war held by the United States. A biography of Major General Byers the commander of the 10th Corp.
General Ridgeway, the commander of American forces in the Far East offer peace talks to the Communist. There is a lull in the fighting but the battle for the Punchbowl begins. Peace talks start but they soon run into trouble and become bogged down. Stalin wants the Korean War to continue. A biography of Stalin the Soviet leader.
Lieutenant General Van Fleet the commander of the Eighth Army increase the number of artillery shells for the Army. The poor performance of South Korean troops. The Communist armies retreat as the Eighth Army advances. The Soviet Union proposes peace talks.
The battle of the Kapyong Valley. The Chinese Fifth Offensive comes to an end, ground is gained but the cost is very heavy. Chinese Infantry tactics. The Chinese launch their sixth offensive in Central and Eastern Korea again ground is won but the casualties are heavy. A biography of Goa Gang in charge of the Chinese Army logistics.
The Chinese Army launch their fifth offensive. The British Gloucestershire Regiment is destroyed but they inflict heavy losses upon the Chinese at the Battle of the Imjin River. Elsewhere the Chinese Army make progress but at the cost of heavy losses. The Belgian Army during the Korean War. A biography of Deng Hua, the commander of the Chinese 13th Army.
General Douglas Mac Arthur launches several public attacks upon the Truman administration. Truman decided to sack Mac Arthur. Mac Arthur receives huge public support and successfully address Congress but does not impress in front of a congressional committee. A biography of Omar Bradley the Chairman of the Chief Joint of Staff
General Ridgeway, the commander of the Eighth Army begins Operation Killer and Ripper to thrown back the Communist armies. The Eighth Army retakes Seoul the capital of South Korea. The Canadian Armed Forces Forces sent to Korea. General Mac Arthur sabotages a proposed American peace offer. A biography of Major General Hoge the new commander of the 9th Corp.
The Eighth Army pushes forward and retake the port of Inchon. The Chinese Army launches its fourth offensive in Central Korea, they defeat three South Korean Divisions. However an attack upon the American 23rd Regiment is a costly failure. A biography of Colonel Freeman the commander of the American 23rd Regiment. The New Zealand Army and Navy in the Korean War.