The Korean War 1950-53

The subject of the Armourer's July 2023 edition, this is the Essential Histories guide to the Korean War from Osprey Publishing. That means it's a compact format but thicker than Osprey's other softcover guides. It covers the forces taking part and starts with how the fighting began and the political efforts to avoid it turning into World War III. Even so, with the USSR, China, USA and United Nations forces, including Britain and Commonwealth countries, involved, it could easily have spiraled out of control. As well as the major campaigns, which are supported by three full page maps to begin with and then half page maps further on, the book also covers the international aspect around the world.

What's also interesting, is the view from Korean civilians, because the leadership of the South wasn't the beacon of democracy that the West would have liked. There was widespread corruption and the South's security forces routinely impisoned, tortured and executed people, often on the vaguest premise. The attitude of many Americans didn't help and hardly anyone comes out of this assessment smelling of roses.

It's a well-round and interesting overview of the first major conflict of the Cold War.

• Osprey Publishing
• ISBN 978-1-4728-5317-2
• 146 pages. Softcover. £12.99

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