The Battle of Chosin

Following the successful American landing at Inchon in September 1950, it appeared that the Korean War could be over by Christmas. Riding a wave of optimism, General Douglas MacArthur continued with the aim of unifying Korea, pressing towards the Yalu River, the country's northern border. Ignoring warnings from China, MacArthur persisted until suddenly—in late November and early December—"volunteer" Chinese troops encircled the First Marine division, acting on orders from China's Chairman Mao to cut off and annihilate the division. Filmmaker Randall MacLowry's PBS-aired American Experience documentary, narrated by Michael Murphy, describes the hellish conditions and incredible valor of the "Chosin few," so named after the nearby reservoir. Much of the fighting was done at night, in hand-to-hand combat, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees below zero. To demoralize the Americans, the Chinese often began their attacks with shouts and screams, followed by the blowing of whistles and bugles. Outnumbered by almost 10 to 1, the Marines embarked on a slow fighting retreat, hampered by the cold, rugged terrain, and a lack of food, sleep, proper clothing, and equipment, as well as a blown bridge that blocked a timely exit. Wounds were sometimes cauterized by the frigid cold, while other soldiers bled or froze to death, sometimes stripped of their clothing to supply the needs of the living, and then buried in mass graves. Veterans here remember feelings of isolation—looking out for their buddies, yet not wanting to get too close to anyone. Meanwhile, an alarmed American public followed each day's events while holding their collective breath. Combining vivid footage with harrowing comments from vets, this powerful tribute to the courage of average soldiers trying to fight and survive in a remote land is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)