2159) Korean War and Turks by Harry Blackley

I read the article by Mehmet Arif Demirer with interest. The 2001 anniversary of the Korean War was the subject of a documentary on PBS television in the U.S. The Turkish Brigade did not rate a mention. . Out of 20 books I have read about this war, a few lines in 500 page-long histories cover the bravery and sacrifice of the Turkish Brigade. Why is this so? The main reason is that the only book in English I can find on the efforts of the Turkish Brigade is a small, badly translated book by Professor Dr. Mim Kemal Öke, published in 1991.

A year ago I began work on a fictional novel that would entertain and enlighten the English-speaking world to the heroism of the Turkish Brigade in Korea. Few people will read a detailed account of the fact that the Brigade saved the U.S. 8th army and 9th Corps. I have incorporated these battles into a love story about a lieutenant in the Turkish Brigade and an Australian nurse serving with the Australian U.N. contingent. The novel was professionally assessed. The conclusion? "Korean Rose has a lot of potential to become an important and memorable read."

I have followed the suggestions of the assessor and reworked the manuscript. It is currently being assessed by a second assessment agency.

I hope to find a publisher who can publish and distribute the novel in the U.S. and Europe.

It is through stories that peoples' perceptions are changed. All the articles in the Turkish media won't change a thing, as those who already know are the only ones to read them.

Harry Blackley, Geelong, Australia