Show notes
70 years ago today would have been the middle of a desperate battle by outnumbered British forces at the battle of the Imjin River in Korea. The Korean War was among the most destructive conflicts of the modern era, and one of the few times when the Cold War turned hot. There were approximately 3 million war fatalities and a larger proportional civilian death toll than World War II or the Vietnam War.
Tommy Clough is one of the last survivors of the battle of the Imjin River and was just 19 when the Gloucestershire Regiment were cut off from their brigade by more than 10,000 Chinese troops in 1951. Outnumbered and surrounded, they dug in on a hilltop for three days, repelling attack after attack until their ammunition ran out. The battle of the Imjin River was one of the most famous of the Korean War.
We hear in detail Tommy’s experiences in the days up to the battle, as well as the desperate fighting to hold off the Chinese army as food, water and ammunition ran out.
Inevitably the Gloucestershire Regiment was forced to surrender and Tommy's story continues, with the hardship and privation of the 500 miles march to their prisoner of war camp. Following an escape attempt, Tommy is held and handcuffed for 6 weeks in solitary confinement including a lengthy period held in a small cage.
It’s an incredible story of fortitude and resilience under the most extreme circumstances and I am so humbled and honoured to be able to share this story with you. I’d like to thank The History of War magazine for putting me in contact with the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum and subsequently Tommy.
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I am delighted to welcome Tommy Clough to our Cold War conversation…
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0:00 Introduction and Tommy Clough's first encounter with the enemy
2:39 Sponsor: History of War Magazine and request for financial support
2:49 Tommy Clough's enlistment and journey to Korea
13:45 Encounters and incidents during the advance towards the Yellow River
22:30 Observations at the Imjin River and the ensuing Chinese attack
30:18 The desperate measures and the moment of capture
47:41 Arrival at the POW camp and survival strategies
57:12 Escape attempts, interrogation, and hard labor sentence
1:05:38 The end of the war and Tommy's journey back home
1:11:07 Transition to civilian life and post-war experiences
1:18:50 Tommy's silence about the war and eventual return to Korea
1:20:25 Closing remarks and invitation to join the Facebook discussion
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