"Many combat veterans refuse to discuss their experiences on the line. With the passage of time and the unreliability of memory, it becomes difficult to understand the true nature of war. In "The Line: Combat in Korea, January--February 1951," retired Army colonel William T. Bowers uses firsthand, eyewitness accounts of the Korean War to offer readers an intimate look at the heroism and horror of the battlefront. These interviews of soldiers on the ground are particularly telling because they were conducted by Army historians immediately following combat. Known as the 'forgotten war,' the action in Korea lasted from June 1950 until July 1953 and was particularly savage for its combatants. During the first few months of the war, American and U.N. soldiers conducted rapid advances and hasty withdrawals, risky amphibious landings and dangerous evacuations, all while facing extreme weather conditions. In early 1951, the first winter of the war, frigid cold and severe winds complicated combat operations. As U.N. forces in Korea retreated from an oncoming Chinese and North Korean attack, U.S. commanders feared they would be forced to withdraw from occupation and admit to a Communist victory. Using interviews and extensive historical research, The Line analyzes how American troops fought the enemy to a standstill over this pivotal two-month period, reversing the course of the war. In early 1951, the war had nearly been lost, but by February's end, there existed the possibility of preserving an independent South Korea. Bowers compellingly illustrates how a series of small successes at the regiment, battalion, company, platoon, squad, and soldier levels ensured that the line was held against the North Korean enemy. The Line is the first of three volumes detailing combat during the Korean War. Each book focuses on the combat experiences of individual soldiers and junior leaders. Bowers enhances our understanding of combat by providing explanatory analysis and supplemental information from official records, giving readers a complete picture of combat operations in this understudied theatre. Through searing firsthand accounts and an intense focus on this brief but critical time frame, The Line offers new insights into U.S. military operations during the twentieth century and guarantees that the sacrifices of these courageous soldiers will not be lost to history." Publisher's review.

"An AUSA title"--Jacket. Includes maps of: Korea; Fall of Taejon, 20 July 1950; Opening Effort of the Enemy Third Phase Offensive, 26 December 1950-1 January 1951; 2nd Infantry Division Area of Operations; Phases 1 and 2 of the Action to Eliminate the hongchon-Hoengsong Roadblock; Company E Positions, Two Miles East of hoengsong; Wonju Area; High Ground South of Wonju; Attack of 2nd Battalion, 38th Infantry, 9 January 1951; Attack of 9 January 1951; Unit Positions South of Wonju, 12 January 1951; Operation Thunderbolt, 25-31 January 1951; Attack on 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, Night of 28-29 January 1951; Attack on Hill 312, 30 January 1951; Operation Thunderbolt, 1-11 February 1951; Twin Tunnels Area and Defensive Positions; Attack on 3rd Platoon, Company L; Attack on 2nd Platoon, Company I, 23rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, 1 February 1951; Operation Roundup, the X Corps Plan, 4 February 1951; Battle for Hoengsong, 11-13 February 1951; Route of Withdrawal on Situation Night, 11 February 1951; Withdrawal of the 2nd Platoon; Company A, 38th Infantry; Withdrawal to Hoengsong, 12 February 1951; 38th Infantry Attempts to Clear the High Ground; Attacks on the Netherlands Detachment; Defending the Wonju Line, 13-18 February 1951; Chipyong-ni, 13-14 February 1951; Company G Sector; Initial U.N. Positions and Enemy Attacks, 14 February 1951; Company E, 187th Airborne Attack on Hill 255, 14 February 1951; Area South of Chipyong-ni; Route of Task Force Crombez, 15 February 1951; Escape of Company L Soldiers South of Koksu-ri, 15 February 1951.

War comes to Korea: the first six months -- Retreat to Wonju: 2d Infantry Division, 1-6 January 1951 -- Action at Wonju: 23d and 38th Infantry Regiments, 6-7 January 1951 -- Return to Wonju : 2d Infantry Division, 8-20 January 1951 -- Hill 312: 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 28-30 January 1951 -- Twin tunnels: 3d Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, and French Battalion, 30 January 2 - February 1951 -- Operation Roundup: supporting the ROK troops -- Operation Roundup: escaping the trap -- Holding the Chinese : Chipyong-ni and Wonju -- Relief of Chipyong-ni: Task Force Crombez.