“The Pusan Perimeter” is an chronicle of the desperate defense of the Korean Peninsula from the North Korean attack of June 1950 through the days of the stable defensive line behind which the Inchon landings, that were to reverse the tide of the Korean War, we being prepped.   The narrative is very much in journalistic style with detailed accounts of units and personnel involved, in keeping with the author Edwin Hoyt’s background.  The text is supplemented to advantage by and black and white photos.  The bibliography provides helpful, though now dated, guides for further reading.

The narrative describes America’s shortcomings in the early days of the war.  South Korean President Syngman Rhee’s predictions of disaster fell on deaf ears in Washington.  Having dismantled its military after World War II, the United States was demonstrated to have been unprepared for war.  Few troops and naval vessels were available.  Obsolete bazookas were ineffective against advancing modern Soviet manufactured North Korean tanks.  Available maps had been prepared by prior Japanese occupiers employed Japanese, rather than Korean, toponyms The situation gradually changed as fresh American troops slowed the North Koreans drive and a halt to the United Nations’ retreat stabilized the lines.  The morning of August 8, a counterattack on the southwestern front seized the initiative for the Americans.  By September 15 the Pusan Perimeter was quiet with U. N. Forces holding Taegu and Pusan.

My general preference is for what I call “big history”, the story of the overall movements, the incidents that determine the turn the flow of history.  This brief book fits into what I call “little history”.  It consists of deeds of individual units and engagements, which are fit into the bigger story.  I suggest War History members start with other histories of the Korean War and commend “The Pusan Perimeter” to those possessing a general familiarity and seeking to deepen their knowledge and understanding.