The Marines of Autumn

Guideline Questions for Chapters Ten & Eleven:

 

1.                  What realization comes to Verity in the opening lines of chapter ten?

2.                  What do the Marines use for cover in place of sandbags?

3.                  What was it that “sent the Chinese to ground at first light?

4.                  What future Secretary of State shows up at Smith’s headquarters with General Almond?

5.                  On November 28^th General Mac Arthur signaled Washington that the Chinese had intervened in the war.  What was Almond doing with McLean at that very moment?

6.                  What was the fate of MacLean and of Task Force Faith?  Refer to the quotation at the bottom of page 155.

7.                  What did General Smith accomplish when he told General Almond that he wanted to go over to the defense?

8.                  Why does General Smith avoid the word retreat when he issues his orders to his regimental commanders?  What tactic does the 1^st Marine Division employ to affect withdrawal from the Chosin Reservoir area?

9.                  How does a Marine platoon surrounded by Chinese in a firefight manage to fight off the Chinese attack when they run low on ammunition?

10.              “In Tokyo, rainy but not cold, and even amid the imperial trappings of his Caesarite, Mac Arthur panicked.”  What action did Mac Arthur take that validates this statement?

 

Chapter Eleven

 

1.                “I feel sorry for the Chinese,” Puller impishly remarked.  “They’re all around us.”  What is Puller trying to accomplish when he makes this startling remark?

2.                Why is Puller insistent that his men get hot rations during the withdrawal?

3.                Brady tells us that Tom Verity understood why the Lieutenant Colonel wept on the road during the withdrawal.  What is the explanation for this behavior from a man who has clearly proven his bravery on the battlefield?  Refer to the bottom of page 168.

4.                “All right you peepul, move out.  And smartly!  It was an NCO’s voice, still crisp, still disciplined.  Why is the demeanor of this Marine NCO important in this moment?

5.                Why do the Marine grunts on the ground have a love/hate relationship with the pilots flying air cover for their withdrawal?

6.                What makes the job of the Chinese troops particularly difficult as they pursue the Marines?  What is the general condition of these Chinese troops?  Refer to page 171.

7.                While Verity persists in treating the Chinese prisoners of war in a humane fashion, what does he know about Chinese treatment of POWs, deserters and spies?

8.                What Herculean task was accomplished by Colonel Ray Davis’ battalion as they fought to regain control of the Toktong Pass from the marauding Chinese Army?