"At the end of 1950, the UN forces in Korea had suffered a series of decisive defeats by the Chinese. They were in retreat, fleeing south, perhaps even out of Korea altogether. Eighth Army's commander, Lt. Gen. Walton H. Walker, had just died in an accident. The situation was as bleak as the wintry landscape." "In this third volume of Roy E. Appleman's operational histories of the Korean War from November 1950 to July 1951, the author follows the UN forces as they about-face and maneuver the Chinese and North Korean armies back to the 38th Parallel. It covers the Chinese so-called 3rd, 4th, and 5th Phase offensives, during the course of which the UN army was initially forced 50 miles south of the Han River and then rebounded north toward Seoul, which changed hands twice during this period." "This volume is based on the official records of U.S. units at all levels and on interviews and correspondence with survivors and the commanders involved, including General Ridgway. Illustrated with photographs and two dozen situation maps, it meticulously chronicles the bitter facts as well as heroic efforts in a tragic and costly war that has been institutionalized as a television sitcom. Book jacket."--Jacket.

General Ridgway in command of Eighth Army -- The sword of Damocles over Eighth Army -- The Chinese 3rd phase offensive -- The third evacuation of Seoul -- The fight for the central corridor -- Almond's X Corps and the recapture of Wonju -- Transition : Eighth Army in the west -- Eighth Army to the Han River -- Twin tunnels : prelude to Chipyong-ni -- The Chinese 4th phase offensive -- The key battle : Chipyong-ni -- The third battle for Wonju -- Eighth Army's crossing of the Han and capture of S Includes maps of: CCF and UN Deployment at Outset of 3rd Phase Offensive; CCF 39th Army's Initial Crossing of Imjin River; CCF 3rd Phase Offensive, 31 December 1950-4 January 1951; Han River Bridges at Seoul, January 1951; UN Line South of Han River, 7 January 1951; Central Corridor, January 1951; UN Positions at Wonju, 6-7 January 1951; UN Positions in Twin Tunnels Area, January-February 1951; Twin Tunnels Battle, 31 January-1 February 1951; Hoengsong Area, 11-12 February 1951; Attack on ROK 8th Division and U.S. 38th Infantry, 11-12 February 1951; 23rd Infantry and French Battalion Perimeter, Chipyong-ni, 13-15 February 1951; CCF 4th Phase Offensive, 11-16 February 1951; 25th Division Crossing of the Han River, 7 March 1951; 1st Cavalry and 1st Marine Divisions Capture Hongchon Basin, 1-17 March 1951; Link-up of Task Force Growden and U.S. 3rd Division, 27 March 1951; UN Offensive, 1 March-21 April 1951; CCF and UN Positions in I Corps Sector, 22 April 1951; British 29th Brigade (BIB) Position, 22 April 1951; CCF Fifth Phase Offensive, 22-30 April 1951; CCF Redeployment for 5th Phase Offensive, 2nd Impulse, 1-15 May 1951; Positions at Outset of CCF 5th Phase Offensive, 2nd Impulse, 16 May 1951; CCF 5th Phase Offensive, 2nd Impulse, 16-23 May 1951; UN Offensive, 20 May-24 June 1951. Includes index.

General Ridgway in command of Eighth Army -- The sword of Damocles over Eighth Army -- The Chinese 3rd phase offensive -- The third evacuation of Seoul -- The fight for the central corridor -- Almond's X Corps and the recapture of Wonju -- Transition : Eighth Army in the west -- Eighth Army to the Han River -- Twin tunnels : prelude to Chipyong-ni -- The Chinese 4th phase offensive -- The key battle : Chipyong-ni -- The third battle for Wonju -- Eighth Army's crossing of the Han and capture of Seoul -- Warfare in the mountains -- Eighth Army across the 38th parallel -- Across the 38th parallel to line Kansas -- Changes in command and an enemy buildup -- The Chinese 5th phase offensive, 1st impulse -- Interlude -- The Chinese 5th phase offensive, 2nd impulse -- End of the war of maneuver.