Scorched Earth, Black Snow – A talk by Andrew Salmon on the early part of the Korean War.

 

Andrew Salmon signing copies of his book

The auditorium at the KCC was packed as the event was oversubscribed, which is a testament to the pulling power of Andrew and the popularity of his previous book, “To the Last Round”. Indeed, the hall was so full people had to sit on the floor to accommodate some of the veterans.

The audience included Viscount Slim, as well as a number of Australian and UK veterans, the Korean Ambassador, Brigadier Brian Parritt (whose book "Chinese Hordes and Human Waves" is due out shortly) and Nicholas Man, the son of Colonel Andrew Man who commanded Middlesex Regiment.

After an introduction by the press attaché from the Embassy, Andrew took to the floor with an energy and vigour which was to last all evening. It was “jackets off” straight away and into the detail – from the initial orders in Hong Kong, through the embarkation of troops and their arrival in a country nobody was familiar with. (Some things about Korea never change!)

The photographs were particularly useful in illustrating the situation and a number of unique and prize winning shots were included which evoked both emotion and the feel of the day, some 60 years ago. Andy took us on a swift but precise tour of the Korean war from June to December 1950 including all the important actions during that time; the fall back to Busan, the Incheon landings, the breakout up past the 38th parallel culminating with the carnage at Chosin Reservoir. It was here the quotes were culled for the title of his new book “Scorched Earth, Black Snow” referring on the one hand to the UN policy of leaving nothing for the Chinese troops to use and on the other the effects of Napalm on the countryside.

The talk finished with a “Son et Lumiere” style slide show of the battle around the Chosin Reservoir, after which Andrew took questions. These were insightful and covered both topics raised during the talk as well as some broader issues around the war. He fielded them well and one lady summed up the talk for all of us; “It was totally realistic and really moving.”

After the formal proceedings concluded many of us queued to get a signed copy of his new book, which was at the special bargain price of £15. While waiting, I spoke to a number of people and I think their comments sum up what many felt:

One gentleman said “ I shed a few tears during the talk, the South Korean people will never forget what the UN forces, particularly the British and Australians, did for us!”

Another said “the difference between Andy and other military historians is that by speaking with the veterans who were actually based in Korea during the war he brings alive those human moments which are always so prevalent amidst the chaos and carnage”. Indeed, none was more poignant than the tale of the two men on opposite sides who finding themselves virtually alone, try to shoot each other and on discovering that neither had a bullet in their gun, went their own way!

This book ends where Andrew starts in his first book, “To the Last Round”, which I also commend to you. I am told this is now also available in Korean.

I know that everybody at the talk as well as those of us who have supported and encouraged Andy over the past few years wish him luck and success with his new work.

Chris Hollands
June 27, 2011

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