Campaign #162 concentrates on the Korean War's boldest assault; the landings at Inch'on in September of 1950. At this time, the UN forces were holding their own in the Pusan pocket against the now weakened North Korean Army (NKA). The NKA's supply lines were as long as they were ever going to be and so it was the prime time to attempt to cut them.

Against the advice of many planners, General Douglas MacArthur decided that an amphibious assault at Inch'on, near Seoul, would be the best way to do this. The obstacles were many. Inch'on has the second highest tides of anywhere in the world. There were not enough experienced troops to conduct the landing as most had never taken part in an amphibious assault. Many Army and Marine units stateside and in Japan had to be stripped of personnel to make up the landing forces. MacArthur's choice of commanders for the operation was also questionable as the top general in charge had no experience in amphibious operations and tended to think in terms of politics rather than what was best for the operation.

Despite these short-comings, the Inch'on landings took the NKA completely by surprise and went on to be a very successful operation. This is something that cannot be said about one of the later operations in northeast North Korea, which spurred the involvement of the Chinese Army.

The author takes us through the entirety of the operation and includes a look at the opposing commanders, opposing armies, and opposing plans. Much of what went on in the North Korean side is still unknown as getting information on anything out of North Korea is difficult at best. However, we are given as much as is known and what can be determined by events.

Then bulk of the book is the landing and subsequent battles for Inch'on and the surrounding area. This includes the preliminaries, assault, drive to Kimpo, crossing the Han River, the fight for Yongdungp'o and breaking the resistance before the drive into Seoul.

The book is nicely complemented with period photos and the superb artwork and maps of illustrator Peter Dennis. These maps help us to understand the flow of the battle and the landscape through which they worked.

I've read quite a few of the Campaign series and this is one of the best. I think you will find this to be the case as well and for that reason, I can highly recommend it to you.

Overall, a most interesting look into a system that was never used in action against enemy ships (except for those overseas) but offered a deterrent and piece of mind to the civilian population. A book that I can easily recommend to you.

August  2006

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