A Bit Sticky Imjin Disaster

In 1951, during the Battle of Imjin River, Brigadier Tom Brodie led about 600 men of the Gloucestershire Regiment in Korea, facing an onslaught by 30,000 Chinese troops. When asked by American Major General Robert H. Soule how his troops were faring, Brodie replied with characteristic British understatement: "Things are a bit sticky, sir." The American general interpreted the phrase as meaning the Glosters were holding firm, so he sent no reinforcements or withdrawal orders. As a result, the unit was nearly annihilated, as 59 men died or went missing, and over 500 were taken prisoner.

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