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Jock Miles-Moon Brothers Korean War Story #1
Combat Ineffective
Summer 1950: the atomic euphoria of America’s WW2 victory still lingers; no man who has joined its postwar military thinks he’ll ever have to fight. The complacent American ground forces are ill equipped, badly trained, poorly led, and painfully unaware of just how combat ineffective they’ve become. That ineffectiveness becomes shockingly clear when they’re quickly overwhelmed by the North Korean People’s Army as it swarms across the 38th parallel to invade South Korea.American units and their equally weak South Korean allies are forced into a headlong retreat that promises to end only after they’ve been pushed off the Korean peninsula and into the sea. It will take hardened WW2 veterans—proven, combat-effective leaders like infantrymen Jock Miles and “Top” Patchett, tanker Sean Moon, and his brother, fighter pilot Tommy Moon—to stem the rout and turn back the North Korean red wave.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
426 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2018
1076 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
William Peter Grasso
24 books75 followersA lifelong student of history, William Peter Grasso served in the US Army and is retired from the aircraft maintenance industry. His devotion to all things historical, military, and aviation remains unabated and continues to inspire his fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 17, 2019
I was 20 in 1950. I followed this conflict through the armistice. I also spent thirteen months in Chunchon, South Korea, in 1953 plus. I thoroughly enjoyed this fictionalized history of the grave early period of this conflict, and recognized many scenes and incidents. The title of this book, "Combat Ineffective," spoke volumes for me, as this was as it actually was. Also, Mr. Grasso's description of the American Japanese Occupation with the "PX soldiers" not undergoing any serious military preparations for the KPA invasion of South Korea was on point: I lived in Tokyo as a civilian foreign national at that time, and witnessed those younger troops having fun - until the KPA invasion. I enjoyed the description of some of the high military officers of the Supreme Commander's staff...!
I am looking for the Rest Of The Story by Mr. Grasso! When can I get it? M.M., ex- USAF, Member, VFW (Lifetime Member).
I am looking for the Rest Of The Story by Mr. Grasso! When can I get it? M.M., ex- USAF, Member, VFW (Lifetime Member).
January 19, 2020
A very good read
Not enough is written about what really happened in the beginning of the Korean Conflict. Mr. Grass provides a well researched view of the real world that existed at the start of the Conflict and the almost unbelievable of caused by politicians and military high command. The lack of rapid effective corrective action is hard to believe.
Not enough is written about what really happened in the beginning of the Korean Conflict. Mr. Grass provides a well researched view of the real world that existed at the start of the Conflict and the almost unbelievable of caused by politicians and military high command. The lack of rapid effective corrective action is hard to believe.
June 1, 2019
Disappointing
Simplistic take on a complex situation. Korea was deliberately not part of MacArthurs Japanese command. The Sec of State disavowed US interest in Korea. MacArthur force's were understrength, undersupplied, under budgeted. IS Mac was in bad relations with the Pentagon (military senior officers and command). Weapons were early WW2 supplies. 2.6? rather than the much more effective 3.5 in. First actual command I remember shipped out with 6 antitank shells for their battery of 105 mms howitzers. They were overrun.
Political reasons kept the Korean army without heavy arms, US military advisors.
The first combat effective force's were an Army unit from stateside (I think) and the marine division. Essentially 1st and 2nd marine divisions were so understrength one division was formed from both and required volunteers to ship out. Marines and Wolfhounds? (Army) were early effectives.
Lots more. Book is readable just depiction of men, units, and action is more R rated comic book than history.
Simplistic take on a complex situation. Korea was deliberately not part of MacArthurs Japanese command. The Sec of State disavowed US interest in Korea. MacArthur force's were understrength, undersupplied, under budgeted. IS Mac was in bad relations with the Pentagon (military senior officers and command). Weapons were early WW2 supplies. 2.6? rather than the much more effective 3.5 in. First actual command I remember shipped out with 6 antitank shells for their battery of 105 mms howitzers. They were overrun.
Political reasons kept the Korean army without heavy arms, US military advisors.
The first combat effective force's were an Army unit from stateside (I think) and the marine division. Essentially 1st and 2nd marine divisions were so understrength one division was formed from both and required volunteers to ship out. Marines and Wolfhounds? (Army) were early effectives.
Lots more. Book is readable just depiction of men, units, and action is more R rated comic book than history.
February 12, 2020
A WPG. Korean War Novel (CI) (AJM-MBKWSB - 1)
WPG. has penned a Korean War Novel titled "Combat Ineffective" which begins wit North Korean soldiers and armament headed south and across the 38th parallel. A Colonel, freshly promoted and just returning from a four year tour in Australia is contacted, personally by a two star General and given a near impossible task to getting the US Army to get its collective arses moving. That's s is war novel about he first few months in South Korea and how the North Koreans were teaching the US and Korea that this was not to be a walk in the park. This us an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
WPG. has penned a Korean War Novel titled "Combat Ineffective" which begins wit North Korean soldiers and armament headed south and across the 38th parallel. A Colonel, freshly promoted and just returning from a four year tour in Australia is contacted, personally by a two star General and given a near impossible task to getting the US Army to get its collective arses moving. That's s is war novel about he first few months in South Korea and how the North Koreans were teaching the US and Korea that this was not to be a walk in the park. This us an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
January 25, 2022
If you like combat/military novels this one is pretty good. I like that it is set in the Korean conflict which is a criminally ignored war in which American soldiers stood up for our country and its beliefs but rarely get recognition for it. Rant over. The book is well written and while the development of them and the plot is a little well-worn it is entertaining reading.
October 11, 2018
Great read
What a great idea of merging the two story lines of the Jock Miles books and the Moon brothers series.It was handled very well and the action is non stop. If you have not read any of Grasso's books look at the two series. Hours of great reading. Enjoy
What a great idea of merging the two story lines of the Jock Miles books and the Moon brothers series.It was handled very well and the action is non stop. If you have not read any of Grasso's books look at the two series. Hours of great reading. Enjoy
February 14, 2019
Useless tanks
The battle scenes are as real as it gets. As a former tanker the US army kept accepting tanks that were next to useless. The M-48 and the M-60’ are good examples of screwups continuing from the M-4 Sherman.
The battle scenes are as real as it gets. As a former tanker the US army kept accepting tanks that were next to useless. The M-48 and the M-60’ are good examples of screwups continuing from the M-4 Sherman.
February 26, 2019
God book kept me interested. Easy to follow all the. Characters. Just about all there is to say about the book. Don't need to keep
Pretty good book. Kept me interested. Easy to follow all the characters. Just about all there is to say about this book.
Pretty good book. Kept me interested. Easy to follow all the characters. Just about all there is to say about this book.
June 6, 2019
excellent read
having been in Nam this is an eye opener and a description of what happens when politicians control combat or try to. it would be safer walking o Chicago with hundred dollar bills pinned to your tee shirt at one in the morning
having been in Nam this is an eye opener and a description of what happens when politicians control combat or try to. it would be safer walking o Chicago with hundred dollar bills pinned to your tee shirt at one in the morning
June 27, 2019
Real people only a little of the history is changed
This excellent writing brings all of the characters alive. Harry Turtledove's books are marred by wooden characters. Peter Grasso's are just the opposite.
This excellent writing brings all of the characters alive. Harry Turtledove's books are marred by wooden characters. Peter Grasso's are just the opposite.
September 13, 2019
Grassy is One of the Best War Author’s of the day
This is my second reading and o learned more about the Korean War in this than the first. I wasn’t trying to gobble through the story, but enjoy it and learn.
This purely a wonderful way to learn and be enthralled by the story.
This is my second reading and o learned more about the Korean War in this than the first. I wasn’t trying to gobble through the story, but enjoy it and learn.
This purely a wonderful way to learn and be enthralled by the story.
February 9, 2020
Korea cluster
Interesting story of our usual unpreparedness. I haven't read the others in the series but I enjoyed this one. I don't like to go back in a series but this one is so good that I might.
Interesting story of our usual unpreparedness. I haven't read the others in the series but I enjoyed this one. I don't like to go back in a series but this one is so good that I might.
December 23, 2020
Dugout Doug
Very well written and excellent story of the ass kicking we took at the beginning of the Korean War. Our troops were slaughtered by the N Koreans because of the arrogance of MacArthur and his sycophants.
Very well written and excellent story of the ass kicking we took at the beginning of the Korean War. Our troops were slaughtered by the N Koreans because of the arrogance of MacArthur and his sycophants.
November 19, 2018
this was the first book in the series I have read. I enjoyed it so much I'm going to get the first in the series to read next.
January 2, 2019
A two fer!
I liked both stories, Jock Miles and the Moon brothers... now I get them together, who could ask for more... waiting for the next installment. Thanks Mr Grasso.
I liked both stories, Jock Miles and the Moon brothers... now I get them together, who could ask for more... waiting for the next installment. Thanks Mr Grasso.
March 21, 2019
I was overjoyed to discover more books about this great group of characters....cannot wait to see the next installment.
February 28, 2020
Good read, story about “The forgotten war”
A interesting book. Little is know how the US struggled at the beginning of the Forgotten War. Recommended for history buff.
A interesting book. Little is know how the US struggled at the beginning of the Forgotten War. Recommended for history buff.
December 25, 2020
Very good
a great read plenty of interesting character,s to get your head around also it shows the difference between combat operations and people dictating things from afar
a great read plenty of interesting character,s to get your head around also it shows the difference between combat operations and people dictating things from afar
February 13, 2022
Rick's opinion
Just finished Mr Grasso book. The third one this week. If you like reading about combat then this book is for you. Will be starting fourth today. Thanks
Just finished Mr Grasso book. The third one this week. If you like reading about combat then this book is for you. Will be starting fourth today. Thanks
June 6, 2022
Korea
Weak us. Retreated constantly. Poor equipment. Worse leadership at higher levels. Tokyo full of fantasies. MaCarthur egotistical. Lots of foolishness.
Weak us. Retreated constantly. Poor equipment. Worse leadership at higher levels. Tokyo full of fantasies. MaCarthur egotistical. Lots of foolishness.
October 20, 2022
Well done
Not for the weak of mind or the timid. tell it like it is, The upper command has no clue as always, why do politics always rule the situation. Tell it like it is.
Rock on!
Not for the weak of mind or the timid. tell it like it is, The upper command has no clue as always, why do politics always rule the situation. Tell it like it is.
Rock on!
January 2, 2023
Korea
Just following jock Miles and now it’s to Korea.
No matter what is written the bravery in this war is equal or greater than given credit.
Just following jock Miles and now it’s to Korea.
No matter what is written the bravery in this war is equal or greater than given credit.
August 9, 2023
This was a good read. This was an interesting story about a conflict that is not often discussed.
December 6, 2023
good read
Kind of started out slow with Jock Miles, but has started to get a little bit better at the end of the book.
Kind of started out slow with Jock Miles, but has started to get a little bit better at the end of the book.
May 12, 2024
Just as good the second time a year later.
September 10, 2019
Another war story-Korea
I have read all the Moon bothers novels and the Jock Miles stories, combining them into a new situation is a great move.
I have read all the Moon bothers novels and the Jock Miles stories, combining them into a new situation is a great move.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews