| James Dietz's tribute to them men who fought the Korean War. "Chosin Fires" |
In the history of warfare, many battles have made manifest the fact that
when forces join on the field of battle, Field Artillery firepower is the
element of combat that makes a difference. Such was the case in late
November and early December 1950 at the Chosin Reservoir, in the
Republic of Korea.
This epic conflict, characterized by misery, cold, exhaustion, and sacrifice,
portrays an epic 17-day struggle between primarily U.S. and Chinese
Communist Forces. To say the conditions were tough is an
understatement. The bitter cold cut so deeply that the men became numb
and the equipment ceased operating. When the opportunity arose to
change boots, soldiers could see the ice crystals that had formed between
their toes; some died while advancing, merely from the shock of the
coldness. The fluid in the howitzers recoil systems became more like glue,
and at night, the only way to keep the men and the guns warm was to keep
them firing. That worked out well, as there was no shortage of targets.
The Chinese military had sent 10 Divisions, 120,000 of its very best troops
south that November with orders to annihilate the US and its allies "to the
last man.” These were not farmers or conscripts; most of the Chinese
troops were veterans of the victorious campaigns against Chiang Kai-
shek's Nationalist forces. They came to Chosin looking for a fight, and that’
s just what they got.
The battle at Chosin was ripe for heavy firepower, but the sea was 70 miles
away, thus no naval gunfire; and the weather was often unfit for flying, thus
affecting air support. Just as so many times before, consistent firepower
was in the able hands of the King of Battle – the Field Artillery. The Chinese
Communist Forces didn’t count on the ferocity or the tenacity of American
soldiers and marines, nor did they anticipate the shocking blow they would
be dealt by the Redlegs sent to keep watch over them.
Outnumbered six to one, the Allied forces chose retrograde operations,
and began the long march through narrow, mountainous defiles south to
Hagaru-Ri. Field Artillery of every kind supported the U.S. forces: Army and
Marine Corps, light and heavy cannons; towed and self-Propelled
howitzers; Active and Reserve Forces destroying enemy targets with direct
and indirect fires. Many redlegs alternated between fighting as artillerymen
or as infantry, whatever the battle required, while leapfrogging their way
back to relative safety.
This vast mix of fire support came together to create effects so devastating
to the enemy that when it was over, the nearly impossible had happened:
seven of the ten Chinese Communist divisions were destroyed, and would
never see combat again during the Korean War. America sacrificed many
lives during those 17 days in the winter 1950, but in the end, what should
statistically have been an irrefutable annihilation of American troops, was a
lesson in Field Artillery and Firepower for our foes.
Determined forces of freedom lived to tell the story of those 17 days: of the
unbearable cold, of the impossible odds, of the loss of comrades, and of
the times when the effects of Field Artillery made the impossible suddenly
seem possible, the hopeless seem attainable. These men, these heroes,
will never forget the extraordinary role that they and their “Chosin Fires”
played in an unforgettable chapter of our Field Artillery heritage.
Illustration by James Dietz - Copyright © 2005.
All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this website may be reproduced
or utilized in any form without the written consent of American Art & Antiques, Inc.
when forces join on the field of battle, Field Artillery firepower is the
element of combat that makes a difference. Such was the case in late
November and early December 1950 at the Chosin Reservoir, in the
Republic of Korea.
This epic conflict, characterized by misery, cold, exhaustion, and sacrifice,
portrays an epic 17-day struggle between primarily U.S. and Chinese
Communist Forces. To say the conditions were tough is an
understatement. The bitter cold cut so deeply that the men became numb
and the equipment ceased operating. When the opportunity arose to
change boots, soldiers could see the ice crystals that had formed between
their toes; some died while advancing, merely from the shock of the
coldness. The fluid in the howitzers recoil systems became more like glue,
and at night, the only way to keep the men and the guns warm was to keep
them firing. That worked out well, as there was no shortage of targets.
The Chinese military had sent 10 Divisions, 120,000 of its very best troops
south that November with orders to annihilate the US and its allies "to the
last man.” These were not farmers or conscripts; most of the Chinese
troops were veterans of the victorious campaigns against Chiang Kai-
shek's Nationalist forces. They came to Chosin looking for a fight, and that’
s just what they got.
The battle at Chosin was ripe for heavy firepower, but the sea was 70 miles
away, thus no naval gunfire; and the weather was often unfit for flying, thus
affecting air support. Just as so many times before, consistent firepower
was in the able hands of the King of Battle – the Field Artillery. The Chinese
Communist Forces didn’t count on the ferocity or the tenacity of American
soldiers and marines, nor did they anticipate the shocking blow they would
be dealt by the Redlegs sent to keep watch over them.
Outnumbered six to one, the Allied forces chose retrograde operations,
and began the long march through narrow, mountainous defiles south to
Hagaru-Ri. Field Artillery of every kind supported the U.S. forces: Army and
Marine Corps, light and heavy cannons; towed and self-Propelled
howitzers; Active and Reserve Forces destroying enemy targets with direct
and indirect fires. Many redlegs alternated between fighting as artillerymen
or as infantry, whatever the battle required, while leapfrogging their way
back to relative safety.
This vast mix of fire support came together to create effects so devastating
to the enemy that when it was over, the nearly impossible had happened:
seven of the ten Chinese Communist divisions were destroyed, and would
never see combat again during the Korean War. America sacrificed many
lives during those 17 days in the winter 1950, but in the end, what should
statistically have been an irrefutable annihilation of American troops, was a
lesson in Field Artillery and Firepower for our foes.
Determined forces of freedom lived to tell the story of those 17 days: of the
unbearable cold, of the impossible odds, of the loss of comrades, and of
the times when the effects of Field Artillery made the impossible suddenly
seem possible, the hopeless seem attainable. These men, these heroes,
will never forget the extraordinary role that they and their “Chosin Fires”
played in an unforgettable chapter of our Field Artillery heritage.
Illustration by James Dietz - Copyright © 2005.
All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this website may be reproduced
or utilized in any form without the written consent of American Art & Antiques, Inc.
Here at Ozark Airfield Artworks we offer a large selection art prints. These prints
mainly depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We
also deal with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are
from all the top national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of
our prints are signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking
for a specific plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
mainly depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We
also deal with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are
from all the top national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of
our prints are signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking
for a specific plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
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All sales are subject to availability.
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