Back in Battery

About the Book

In this dramatic sequel to his powerful epic of the Korean War, Able on the Way!, David E. Bergesen continues the saga of the men of the 88th Field Artillery Battalion and their fight for survival as the invading hordes of Chinese Communist “volunteers” pour into North Korea.

In the marvelous cast of characters you’ll meet Ken Miller, the “kid lieutenant;” Stan Keeley, Able Battery’s hard-as-nails First Sergeant whose field commission makes him “the oldest second lieutenant in the U. S. Army;” Sergeant Tom Hendricks, the youthful-looking Chief of Firing Battery and his Japanese lover Musako; Doug Sutton, the 88th Field’s hard-driving battalion commander; Lieutenant Colonel Marcus Potter, the dapper African-American who rescued Able’s guns; Terry White, the young eight-ball who learns to be a leader under fire; Able’s mess sergeant and former POW who swears he’ll never be taken prisoner again; and a crotchety 105 howitzer nick-named the Mule.

They face the life-or-death question: Are Chinese forces intervening in Korea on a large scale? MacArthur’s headquarters in Tokyo says “Definitely not!” but for the UN troops deep in North Korea the answer isn’t that clear, and certainly not that convincing. It seems that the further you are from the possibility of encountering Chinese troops the more you discount it. But for the men of the 3rd Cavalry Division (Infantry), continued brushes with Chinese troops are pretty convincing.

And they all agree, officers and men, from regimental staffs to rear rank riflemen, from battery commanders to cannoneers: It’s time to go back to Japan, to the boredom, the routine, and the often illicit pleasures of service in the Army of Occupation. The men of the Eighth Army’s line outfits put up a good fight, against heavy odds — such as their own lack of training, discipline, and equipment, as well as climate extremes and impossible orders from their senior commanders — but they know they can’t win, and it’s now time to cut losses and go back to their peace-time posts in Japan. On the other hand, the more recent arrivals, who weren’t with the divisions in Japan, see no reason to stop short of the continental United States.

Fighting to survive even as their leaders hesitate to accept either the reality of the situation or the enormity of the disaster their miscalculations have brought down on the soldiers in the field, tensions within the 88th Field and Able Battery grow and emotions run high under the pressures of combat, rugged terrain and sub-Siberian weather.

After a harrowing but ultimately successful withdrawal, and a dramatic transition to the offensive under the inspired leadership of the new Eighth Army commander, General Matthew Ridgeway, disaster strikes the 88th Field: an anti-tank mine explodes near the dug-in firing batteries killing and maiming dozens of the battalion’s officers and men.

As a result, Ken Miller receives orders to leave the infantry company where he has served as forward observer and return to Able Battery of the 88th Field as executive officer, in charge of the battery’s six 105-millimeter howitzers — including the legendary Mule. While the 88th Field Artillery and other units of the division fight to survive the winter and the enemy, Miller struggles to establish himself in his new post.

This epic tale comes to a climax in an all-out battle between attacking Chinese Communist Forces and the men and guns of the 88th Field under their new CO, Colonel Porter. Afterwards the bloody but unbowed artillerymen quickly find themselves back in battery and again ready to fulfill their mission of fire support for the frontline infantry.

About the Author

David E. Bergesen was born on the West Coast, where his father was serving on a US Navy submarine. After enlisting in the Regular Army, Bergesen graduated from OCS and jump school, and served as an artillery officer in Korea, 1950-51. Educated in the east, including Dartmouth and William and Mary, he has lived and worked extensively in Latin America. Author of a previous novel of the Korean War, Able on the Way!, he has also written a mystery, Murder Crosses the Equator. He lives in Tucson with his wife Vicki, a graphic designer. They have two married sons.