Re: ALTITUDE-INDUCED ILLNESSES in the Korean War

[Ed Evanhoe <evanhoe1@korean-war.com>]

Blake,

The cold of Korean winters comes from the jet stream bringing weather 
systems down from the arctic, via the Siberian Steppes. There is little to 
slow the flow and allow the systems to moderate so periods minus-20 degree 
plus temps are common in the mountains of North Korea but not normal for 
South Korea.  The winter of 1950-1951 was an unusually cold one, one of the 
coldest since records began being kept.

As for the Chinese having frostbite whipped, no way.  They had as many, if 
not more cold-weather casualties than we did.  However, during the winter 
of 50-51 they began the war better equipped for cold weather than we 
did.  It wasn't until January before we were able to equip all our troops 
with adequate cold-weather gear. This was especially true for front line 
troops since a lot of the needed clothing and equipment was diverted by 
rear area troops for their own use
or stolen and sold on the black market.

Ed

Ed Evanhoe, PO Box 916, Antlers, OK, 74523
Life Member: Special Forces & Special Operations Associations
Author: DARKMOON: Eighth Army Special Operations in the Korean War
Web site:  http://www.korean-war.com