April 24th, 1951,was a lonely, moon-lit night in Korea. On a godforsaken hill, a few hundred surrounded Canadian soldiers waited for the fight of their lives to begin. Soon, Chinese communist troops in their thousands, swarmed around them, plunging straight towards the Korean capital, Seoul. These Canadians were all that blocked the way. This is the story of the first battle by Canadas first soldiers in the Korean War: the 2nd Battalion of Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry. These volunteers were straight from Central Casting: truck drivers, construction workers, kids just out of high school, and bored farm boys. Outnumbered and outgunned, this people's army of amateurs beat off some of the toughest troops on earth. This battle that's become a legend takes its name from a nearby peanut-sized village: Kapyong. It's become a mythic Canadian story, except this is mythology that is real.
Triumph at Kapyong: Canada's Pivotal Battle in Korea
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"Bjarnason mixes the official histories with a visit to the site, which makes for a rounded description. The sights, the sounds and the smells give an immediacy that official recountings exclude."
(The Winnipeg Free Press)"Bjarnasons book, Triumph at Kapyong, documents an extraordinary moment in Canadian and Korean history that was as unlikely as it was unknown."
(The Toronto Star)One wonders, had Bjarnason and his reporting skills been present back in 1951, if Kapyongs legacy today might be one of nationwide remembrance, rather than a nearly forgotten footnote.
(Ted Barris http://www.canadashistory.ca 2011-07-07)a tribute to not only an oft-neglected war, but also Canadas contribution to peacekeeping and active countermeasures against Communist incursions. (The Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Strategies 2012-01-17)
About the Author
Dan Bjarnason was a television news and documentary reporter for the National at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for over 35 years. His world-wide assignments, including time as a foreign correspondent, allowed him to indulge his passion for military history and to visit dozens of battlefields from the Little Bighorn to the Falklands. He lives in Toronto.
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Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By shadow
Format:Paperback
This is an excellent account of a pivotal battle in Canadian military history, led by one of Canada's great soldiers. It is also a story about the leader of the Canadian troops, "Big Jim" Stone. The story is engaging and well written. The editing is slightly problematic, but this is a minor flaw. Highly recommended for all those interested in this important time in Canada's history.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
An excellent, readable history of an almost forgotten victory for the Canadian Army in the Korean War. A full, unvarnished account of the young men who volunteered and the struggles they faced. Highly recommended.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars
3 reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book but awful editing
Dec 5 2012
By Guildwoodite
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have the Kindle version of this book, so I don't know if the print version is any better, but while I really enjoyed the story, the editing was awful (punctuation, spelling, etc.). It detracted from my enjoyment of the book, which was otherwise a really good read.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
gripping,informative, exciting
Dec 4 2012
By Spence Bell
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Kindle Edition
The research, detail and cross referencing is wonderful. It truly is a forgotten war and the importance of this episode in the war and indeed it's effect on the world we live in today can not be overstated. Besides it's historical importance, it is a gripping story dramatically told and paints a vivid picture for those of us who always wondered what it was like. The references and quotes from boys from all over the country makes it an essential read for all Canadians, however it is a story that has very significant international appeal.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Triumph at Kapyong
Jan 18 2013
By Brad
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
A good factual description of Canadians in a, for Canada, hisorically important Korean battle. A little more like a text book than an exciting read, but good for what it is. It certainly achieves the aim of educating the reader about a forgotten war faught by forgotten heroes.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
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