big kevs Sept. book recomendation; Colder Than Hell

[kevin.303]

i'm almost finished reading "Colder Than Hell; A Marine Rifle Company at the Chosin Reservoir"  by James Owen. awesome book!!! i'll give a bit of a rundown for those that haven't read it.

   as a young 2nd LT, James Owen arrives at camp pendleton on the summer of 1950. he is ordered to take charge of the mortar platoon for Baker company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, or as it's reffered to in the book, Baker-1-7. he's stuck with a mixed batch of WW2 combat vets and teenage reservists who are barely out of boot and and have never even seen a mortar. he whips them into shape and before they know it they're of to Korea to relieve the 1st Marines.

don't want to spoil it for any of you who might want to read it, although it's kinda obvious how it ends. any of you guys already read it? i tried to get a discussion going on it on another board but it's a low traffic forum.

 

[S.S.]

A good friend of mine was there. He was one of the only
men in his rifle company to survive. (I think there were 3)
The Chinese had some very accurate artillery that was
brought to bear on them. He said they were 76 mm's and could
drop a shell in the fox-hole with you. Bill carries more scars
Physical and mental than any other combat vet I know. He is
now the only living member of his company, the others who
survived with him have since comitted suicide.

[kevin.303]

the Chinese would show themselves on a ridge, fire a volley or two then fall back. the Marines would advance to the chinese positions which where already ranged for there mortars and artillery. they knew they where being drawn in and forced to over extend there supply line, but MacArthur wouldn't order them to halt. Owen said that all of Baker-One-Seven's platoons where reduced to squad size or smaller and only 2 original members of his mortar platoon escaped alive and unwounded. he himself was the last officer to be wounded.

[S.S.]

Bill had no respect for the commanding officers he
served under either!