Ian D Bass

They were ordered to hold the valley. Failure was not an option. April 1951. As thousands of Chinese troops pour through the mountains of Korea during the Spring Offensive, the road to Seoul hangs in the balance. Standing between the enemy and the United Nations line is the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. Among its ranks is Corporal Tom McKenzie, an ordinary Australian infantryman whose world once revolved around family, friends and the quiet certainty of life back home.
Now, on the rugged slopes above the Kapyong Valley, he must lead his men through one of the fiercest battles in Australian military history. Outnumbered, Tom and his mates endure relentless attacks, devastating artillery fire, sleepless nights and desperate hand-to-hand fighting as wave after wave of Chinese soldiers crashes against their shrinking perimeter. With ammunition running low and hope fading, they face an impossible choice-to stand and fight or surrender the valley.
Inspired by the true events of the Battle of Kapyong, Holding The Valley is a powerful story of courage, sacrifice and the unbreakable bonds forged in combat. Rich in historical detail and told through the eyes of one Australian soldier, it captures both the terror of the battlefield and the quiet humanity that survives even in war's darkest moments. Perfect for readers of military historical fiction, Holding The Valley is a moving tribute to the men who fought in what has become known as The Forgotten War-and to those who held the line when the fate of the campaign rested on their shoulders.