Just finished "The Chosen Frozen" (Thomas McKelvey Cleaver) account of the breakout from the Chosin Reservoir in December, 1950, after American Marines had pushed North almost to the Yalu River boundary with PRC and a great trap had been sprung by the Chinese. An important book with terrific background on the intelligence blunders made by MacArthur's staff in Tokyo and the early British naval role of HMS Victorious and her compliment of Seafires and Fireflies, plus heroic 41 Commando Royal Marines operations.
But air support is the real clincher ... both close attack by Navy and Marine Corsairs and USAF C-119 Boxcars.
Without this the troops could never have broken free. Highly recommended book.
Bears great resemblance to German operations on the Eastern Front with the caveat that the Americans had vastly greater resources to make good their extraction.
The remains of a Grumman Hellcat fighter aircraft rest in the aircraft elevator hatch of the USS Independence. Scientists discovered the airplane during an AUV survey of the World War II aircraft carrier.
A-20B of the 85th Squadron, 47th Bombardment Group
While at Grosseto Italy. The war has ended for them. They are grateful to know they will soon be going home.