Re: Book review: Red Wings Over the Yalu: China, the Soviet Union and the Ai...

[Ed Evanhoe <evanhoe@arbuckleonline.com>]

Robert,

Agree the initial releases were shortly after the Chinese intervened and 
were likely motivated by political, not humanitarian reasons.  Also agree 
the Chinese would execute prisoners if deemed necessary.

However, the incident where POW's captured at the Changjin/Chosin Reservoir 
were released happened in early June 1951.  These POW's had been in 
temporary camps near Hungnam since their capture in December 1950.  The 
Chinese selected two groups of prisoners )for whatever reason,) informed 
them they were being moved south and would be released when they reached UN 
lines.  After several days, one group was turned back and ended up spending 
the remainder of the war in a regular POW camp but the other group 
continued south to the "Iron Triangle" (Hwach'on Reservoir 
vicinity.)  (This was shortly after the 2nd Chinese Spring Offensive failed 
and UN/US troops were advancing north again.)  Their guards stopped the 
second group at a farm house near the "fluid" front lines.  Sometime during 
the night the escort group pulled out leaving the POW's on their 
own.  Shortly after dawn an artillery spotter plane flew over, recognized 
the group as American POW's and called the information back to the 7th 
ID.  A tank/infantry task force advancing in that area was diverted and 
made contact with the POW's about noon.

And, BTW, I misstated Tim Casey's rank.  It is CSM, not MSG.

Ed