The Korean War is often called 'the forgotten war', overshadowed by WW2 and Vietnam in terms of continuing interest, but there is one battle amongst the many fought there that still raises eyebrows and heart rates. A legendary fight, regarded by many historians as the most brutal in modern warfare. Known in Korea as The Battle of Lake Changjin, but known in the west simply as Chosin.
The story is well known, MacArthur, ignoring the advice of everyone around him drove the UN forces from the very foot of the Korean peninsula, to the far north only miles from the border with China. And it's here that the PLA struck back, attacking the unprepared UN army in the deepest winter, and driving them far back toward the south. The battle at Chosin was typical of that winter, around 30,000 UN soldiers, comprising primarily of the 1st Marine Division, were surprised, surrounded, and forced to fight a courageous breakout and fighting retreat toward the safety of the port at Hungnam. Against an overwhelming 120,000 PLA troops, and in bitterly cold weather the Marines fought on, inflicting huge casualties on their opponents, and allowing a successful withdrawal of UN forces.
The battle is legendary amongst the Marine Corps, the soldiers who fought there known as 'the Chosin few' and the number of Medals of Honor awarded second only the Battle of the Bulge.
Most of the photos of the period show the Marines at Chosin wearing a parka that at first glance looks like the Army's M47, but look again and you can see the differences. This is longer, cutting off at the ankle not the knee. It's heavier with a darker, thicker removeable alpaca liner. And it's not belted, instead it has buttoned tabs either side of the waist. And it is much much much rarer - I've been chasing one of these for years. It's a true collectors piece, and a necessity for any Marine Corps fans out there.
Condition
This is in amazing condition considering that most of these are completely destroyed. It's been used, there are some marks to the outer shell, one tiny 3/4" tear on the back, a couple of studs connecting the shell to the liner have come away, but otherwise it's in amazing shape. The liner is mint, and still even has cutter tags!
Size
- Tagged a size large and fits a size large
- Pit to pit 26" (across the back of the outer shell but be mindful this is a thick piece)
- Shoulder to shoulder 22"
- Shoulder to cuff 25"
- Collar to hem 48"