The Farthest Valley

Escaping the Chinese Trap at the Chosin Reservoir

By: Joseph Wheelan

Narrated by: Jeff Harding

Bloomsbury presents The Farthest Valley: Escaping the Chinese Trap at the Chosin Reservoir by Joseph Wheelan, read by Jeff Harding.


A history of the legendary extraction of the Fifth and Seventh Marines from a Chinese trap, told for the first time using Chinese sources.

Knee-deep in snow, and under a leaden sky, American Marines thousands of miles from home watched more snow settle onto the frozen ground, glittering in the fading light. Suddenly, the still Korean night roared to life with the sound of Chinese mortar fire. The Fifth and Seventh Marine Regiments were besieged and surrounded by the Chinese 9th Army Group in a surprise attack at Chosin Reservoir in what is now North Korea. Vastly outnumbered and outgunned, defeat and death seemed guaranteed. Their improbable escape after a week of brutal combat required all the Marines' fighting skills and supreme combat leadership.

It has become the stuff of legend and is brilliantly brought to life in this book through first-hand accounts by Joseph Wheelan, himself the son of a Chosin veteran. However, The Farthest Valley also uses Chinese military documents to give a unique perspective on Chinese strategic and tactical failings which allowed the Marines to escape. Without the Marines the entire United Nations core strength was at risk of collapse which would have changed the outcome of the Korean War. This is a compelling history of the Marines’ incredible tenacity and of woeful combat leadership as the Chinese gambled away their men’s lives and ultimately victory.©2024 Joseph Wheelan (P)2024 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Details

History, too much detail ,if one looks at the narrative, too much detail that is actually superfluous

Chilling and Haunting

The police action in Korea began to heat up very quickly, as Chinese troops began to pour over the border, and take up defensive positions. The Marines that were deployed to the area had their hands full, trying to keep even more troops from crossing, while also defending the surrounding area.

The horrific weather conditions, without the proper gear, and the determination of the Marines to refuse to give ground gave way to a very volatile situation. With temperatures continuing to plumate, the biggest enemy on either side was not munitions, it was frostbite and death. Many soldiers froze to death. Chinese soldiers were issued cold weather gear that was far below what was needed for the sub-zero temperatures of the region. Soldiers from the United States were not initially given the correct gear, although there was a push to get what was needed, but many still lost fingers and toes to frostbite.
Medical units were also not fully prepared for the onslaught that was coming their way. Many found themselves overwhelmed with wounded, while low on supplies and materials.

This was a great read, and a real eye-opener on the deprivations that were suffered by both sides during the beginning of the Korean War. Joseph Wheelan again brings a great amount of detail, both tactical and strategic, as we look at one of the more brutal aspects of the Korean War.