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

[robert guertin <wanaki@infionline.net>]

I remember the incident at the farm house.

Ed Evanhoe wrote:

> 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