Korean War (1950-1953 AD)
The Korean War was the first major conflict that occurred during the Cold War. This conflict between North and South Korea took place between June 1950 and July 27, 1953. The war, known as the forgotten war, claimed millions of lives. All of Korea has terrible destruction and takes decades to recover.
Historical Background of the Korean War
Korea is a region that is not too large, because it only occupies an area of 85,246 square miles. The Korean region is more an archipelago, with a coastline of 5,400 miles and is strongly influenced by the sea.
Before 1945, Korea was a unit. The ancient Korean Empire was united by the Tang Dynasty in 668 AD. This united Korea survived for 1300 years before finally breaking out.
Korea broke into two parts after the maneuvers carried out by the Allies towards the end of World War II. During the war, Korea was an area controlled by Japan. However, after Japan's defeat in World War II, Korea was divided into two parts in the 38th parallel. The Soviets occupied North Korea, while the United States occupied the south.
After Korea was separated, the two superpower countries instilled their influence on the Korean mainland. With the intensification of the World War between the Soviets and the United States, the dividing line between North and South Korea became the new iron curtain that separated Koreans from each other. Although separated, the two parts of the region became an arena for the power of the Soviet Union and the United States. Thus, conflicts between the two are very likely to occur.
North Korean leader Kim II Sung is very ambitious to unite Korea. Therefore, he requested the support of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in April 1950. Stalin finally agreed to support the North Korean invasion of South Korea. He only asked Kim to ensure that the victory could be achieved and the Soviets would not intervene directly.
After obtaining Stalin's support, Kim then visited the leader of the Chinese Communist Party, Mao Zedong in Beijing. Mao agreed that only military power could unite Korea. He also doubted the United States would pay attention to the war in Korea.
While Kim confidently told Mao that his army would take control of all of Korea within three weeks, long before American intervention might occur.
The start of the Korean War
The war began on Sunday morning, June 25, 1950, after the North Korean People's Army (NKPA) crossed the thirty-eighth parallel, supported by Soviet-made T-34 tanks. The attack was unexpected both in time and intensity.
Meanwhile, the Republic of Korea (South) Forces that have not been adequately trained or have the weaponry to meet these challenges choose to retreat. The NKPA moved quickly, took over the Korean capital in Seoul, and then crossed the Han River and went west to the Kum River, then south towards Taejon and Taegu. North Korea, under the auspices of the Soviet Union, wanted to make all of Korea a communist regime.
US President Harry S. Truman ordered US ground and air forces to evacuate residents. He also ordered the US Seventh Fleet to go to the Taiwan Strait to prevent a confrontation between the Communists and Chinese Nationalists.
Within two days, the United Nations adopted a resolution proposed by the United States, which called on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to withdraw.
Despite being called for withdrawal, the North Korean People's Army actually moved further south. Truman, anxious about North Korea's power, authorized General Douglas MacArthur to send ground troops. Despite the presence of American troops, North Korean forces continued to move south.
The 24th Infantry Division, led by General William Dean, was the first to react to hamper the North Korean army. This division was then assisted by the Fifth Air Force which was transferred to Korea, although in the end it still could not stop the power of the NKPA.
At the end of July 1950, the United Nations took a position along Naktong's Perimeter to consolidate its forces consisting of: First American Cavalry Division, Second Infantry Division, 24th Infantry Division, 25th Infantry Division, and First Marine Brigade, and five South Korean infantry divisions.
Immediately after calls from the United Nations, member countries began sending troops and supplies. Britain was the first country to respond, placing their ships in Japanese waters under the command of the United Nations. Most countries cannot send large numbers of troops, but 17 countries have managed to provide at least financial strength to the United Nations Command.
Battle at Inchon and Yalu
On September 15, 1950, after increasing troops and building supply lines, General MacArthur began planning a plan he had considered from the start. The operation was called Operation Chromite, which was the landing of an amphibious force on the west coast port of Inchon.
In preparation, he formed the X Corps under the command of General Edward (Ned) Almond. The force consisted of the Seventh Infantry Division (Army) and the First Marine Division. The X Corps moves around the southern tip of Korea. The amphibious troops then landed on the morning of September 15, 1950 and within a few days had mastered Inchon and Kimpo Field. In October, Seoul was successfully regained and returned to President Syngman Rhee.
Meanwhile, the Eighth Army under Lieutenant General Walton H. Walker was out of bounds and moved north quickly. They cut off the supply and communication lines, so the NKPA was forced to withdraw. The two successes of the operation made the UN forces master the thirty-eight parallel in early October. In many ways war may end at this time.
However, the favorable situation was considered the right time for the United States to occupy all of Korea and return it as a unitary state. After obtaining permission from the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the United Nations, UN forces and the Republic of Korea crossed the thirty-eight parallel and moved north.
Meanwhile the Eighth Army headed towards the west side of the mountain, and the X Corps which had been moved by sea to Wonsan port, moved to the east side. Communication between the two forces is difficult. On Thanksgiving, the 17th Infantry Regiment in the US reached the Yalu River. It was at this point that the counterattack from South Korea and its supporters began.
Chinese Joining in War
The People's Republic of China has warned that if UN forces cross the thirty-eighth parallel, they will enter the war. But General MacArthur assured President Harry S. Truman that the threat would not occur.
In mid-October 1950, there were clashes with Chinese soldiers. Then, on November 23, nearly 200,000 Chinese troops attacked. They have passed the frozen Yalu River and gathered strength during November. The United Nations Command was hit by a heavy blow from China, so Walker began to withdraw and evacuate troops by sea as much as possible.
To the east, the X Corps also suffered defeat. Soldiers and Marine personnel were pulled out under great pressure from the Chinese attack and the weather dropped almost 40 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. When soldiers and marines retreated to the port of Hungnam, the navy began to evacuate on Christmas Eve.
Nearly 100,000 UN and Republic of Korea soldiers, and most of the refugees were evacuated. On December 25, the port was destroyed, and most UN forces headed for Pusan and other ports along the coast. Seoul was once again abandoned on January 3, 1951.
From then until the end of the war, China played a dominant role, not only in the procurement of military and civilian equipment and equipment, but also in the direction of strategy. Although North Korean soldiers continue to play an important role, both military authorities and civilian historians identify this Chinese attack marked a new phase of conflict. In addition, China will also play a leading role in negotiations which began in 1952.
War in the Hills and the Beginning of a Long Debate
General Walton Walker died in a jeep accident towards the end of December 1950. His successor, General Matthew B. Ridgway, arrived on Christmas Day and began the process of rebuilding the Eighth Army whose morale was destroyed after losing.
The effort was successful, Seoul was reconquered and on March 27, 1951. The Eighth Army continued to move until it reached the thirty-eighth parallel. In Operation Rugged, Ridgway's forces established the Lines of Wyoming and Kansas, which would be the main path of resistance for the whole war.
In early 1952, most territorial rights were decided, and in early November 1952 the United Nations Command adopted a defensive policy and began to invite the communists to negotiate.
During this time there were no large-scale military operations, but the war focused on hills, outposts, and small bunkers. This is because the number of troops and supplies is decreasing on both sides. Soldiers and machines are limited by the scope of tasks, such as destroying a fortress, dismantling a bunker or disrupting a supply line.
The fighting was limited to the hills, and the units involved were often no more than one company of troops. Success or failure at the conference table is reflected in the success or failure in the field. Peace negotiations continued, as the fighting in the hills continued fiercely.
The United Nations and communist countries enter negotiations with far different concepts and desires. In addition, problems arose around prisoners of war between the two parties. The negotiation process went very slow and frustrated, the talks were stopped many times, and consequently more reflected the political atmosphere than the military.
End of the Korean War: Weapons
Shortly after Joseph Stalin's death on March 5, 1953, the communists returned to the negotiating table and approved the exchange of prisoners. Changing the international environment was reflected in the various peace proposals offered. But the ceasefire depends on the agreement on the exchange of prisoners of war ...
Whatever affects the achievement of the final agreement is difficult to ascertain. Certainly included Joseph Stalin's death and Soviet domestic problems. The ceasefire was signed by General William K. Harrison and General Mark Clark for the United Nations, Marshal Peng The-huai for the Republic of China, and Marshall Kim Il Sung and Nam Il General for North Korea. The Republic of Korea did not sign the agreement.
Despite having reached a truce, there are still large numbers of North Korean residents and a much smaller number of South Koreans refuse to be repatriated. Thus creating new disputes in the future between the two Koreas.
The Korean War brought enormous losses to both parties. At least 33,741 US troops were killed in military action, 2,827 were killed in situations related to war, and 103,284 were injured. While the death toll for the Republic of South Korea alone reached 59,000 dead and 290,000 troops were injured, plus enough civilian casualties to bring the toll to nearly three million people.
More victims were on the side of North Korea and China, at least 500,000 troops were killed and one million were injured.
For material losses, South Korea is the most disadvantaged. Some villages disappeared as a result of the war and Seoul, the capital of the country, were mostly flat. Railroad lines, communications, overall state infrastructure, hydroelectric power plants, factories, civil buildings, even livestock and rice fields were destroyed.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ackermann, Marsha E (ed). 2008. Encyclopedia Of World History: The Contemporary World 1950 to the Present. New Yorl: Facts on File.
Edwards, Paul M. 2010. Historical Dictionary of the Korean War: Second Edition. Maryland: The Scarecrow Press.
Sorry, Carter. 2001. The Korean War 1950-1953. Oxford: Osprey Publishing.
Newark, Tim. 2001. Turning Tide of War: 50 Battles that Changed the Course of Modern History. London: Octopus Publishing.
Stueck, William. 1995. The Korean War. New Jersey: Princeton University Press.
Historical Background of the Korean War
Korea is a region that is not too large, because it only occupies an area of 85,246 square miles. The Korean region is more an archipelago, with a coastline of 5,400 miles and is strongly influenced by the sea.
Before 1945, Korea was a unit. The ancient Korean Empire was united by the Tang Dynasty in 668 AD. This united Korea survived for 1300 years before finally breaking out.
Korea broke into two parts after the maneuvers carried out by the Allies towards the end of World War II. During the war, Korea was an area controlled by Japan. However, after Japan's defeat in World War II, Korea was divided into two parts in the 38th parallel. The Soviets occupied North Korea, while the United States occupied the south.
After Korea was separated, the two superpower countries instilled their influence on the Korean mainland. With the intensification of the World War between the Soviets and the United States, the dividing line between North and South Korea became the new iron curtain that separated Koreans from each other. Although separated, the two parts of the region became an arena for the power of the Soviet Union and the United States. Thus, conflicts between the two are very likely to occur.
North Korean leader Kim II Sung is very ambitious to unite Korea. Therefore, he requested the support of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in April 1950. Stalin finally agreed to support the North Korean invasion of South Korea. He only asked Kim to ensure that the victory could be achieved and the Soviets would not intervene directly.
After obtaining Stalin's support, Kim then visited the leader of the Chinese Communist Party, Mao Zedong in Beijing. Mao agreed that only military power could unite Korea. He also doubted the United States would pay attention to the war in Korea.
While Kim confidently told Mao that his army would take control of all of Korea within three weeks, long before American intervention might occur.
The start of the Korean War
The war began on Sunday morning, June 25, 1950, after the North Korean People's Army (NKPA) crossed the thirty-eighth parallel, supported by Soviet-made T-34 tanks. The attack was unexpected both in time and intensity.
Meanwhile, the Republic of Korea (South) Forces that have not been adequately trained or have the weaponry to meet these challenges choose to retreat. The NKPA moved quickly, took over the Korean capital in Seoul, and then crossed the Han River and went west to the Kum River, then south towards Taejon and Taegu. North Korea, under the auspices of the Soviet Union, wanted to make all of Korea a communist regime.
US President Harry S. Truman ordered US ground and air forces to evacuate residents. He also ordered the US Seventh Fleet to go to the Taiwan Strait to prevent a confrontation between the Communists and Chinese Nationalists.
Within two days, the United Nations adopted a resolution proposed by the United States, which called on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to withdraw.
Despite being called for withdrawal, the North Korean People's Army actually moved further south. Truman, anxious about North Korea's power, authorized General Douglas MacArthur to send ground troops. Despite the presence of American troops, North Korean forces continued to move south.
The 24th Infantry Division, led by General William Dean, was the first to react to hamper the North Korean army. This division was then assisted by the Fifth Air Force which was transferred to Korea, although in the end it still could not stop the power of the NKPA.
At the end of July 1950, the United Nations took a position along Naktong's Perimeter to consolidate its forces consisting of: First American Cavalry Division, Second Infantry Division, 24th Infantry Division, 25th Infantry Division, and First Marine Brigade, and five South Korean infantry divisions.
Immediately after calls from the United Nations, member countries began sending troops and supplies. Britain was the first country to respond, placing their ships in Japanese waters under the command of the United Nations. Most countries cannot send large numbers of troops, but 17 countries have managed to provide at least financial strength to the United Nations Command.
Battle at Inchon and Yalu
On September 15, 1950, after increasing troops and building supply lines, General MacArthur began planning a plan he had considered from the start. The operation was called Operation Chromite, which was the landing of an amphibious force on the west coast port of Inchon.
In preparation, he formed the X Corps under the command of General Edward (Ned) Almond. The force consisted of the Seventh Infantry Division (Army) and the First Marine Division. The X Corps moves around the southern tip of Korea. The amphibious troops then landed on the morning of September 15, 1950 and within a few days had mastered Inchon and Kimpo Field. In October, Seoul was successfully regained and returned to President Syngman Rhee.
Meanwhile, the Eighth Army under Lieutenant General Walton H. Walker was out of bounds and moved north quickly. They cut off the supply and communication lines, so the NKPA was forced to withdraw. The two successes of the operation made the UN forces master the thirty-eight parallel in early October. In many ways war may end at this time.
However, the favorable situation was considered the right time for the United States to occupy all of Korea and return it as a unitary state. After obtaining permission from the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the United Nations, UN forces and the Republic of Korea crossed the thirty-eight parallel and moved north.
Meanwhile the Eighth Army headed towards the west side of the mountain, and the X Corps which had been moved by sea to Wonsan port, moved to the east side. Communication between the two forces is difficult. On Thanksgiving, the 17th Infantry Regiment in the US reached the Yalu River. It was at this point that the counterattack from South Korea and its supporters began.
Chinese Joining in War
The People's Republic of China has warned that if UN forces cross the thirty-eighth parallel, they will enter the war. But General MacArthur assured President Harry S. Truman that the threat would not occur.
In mid-October 1950, there were clashes with Chinese soldiers. Then, on November 23, nearly 200,000 Chinese troops attacked. They have passed the frozen Yalu River and gathered strength during November. The United Nations Command was hit by a heavy blow from China, so Walker began to withdraw and evacuate troops by sea as much as possible.
To the east, the X Corps also suffered defeat. Soldiers and Marine personnel were pulled out under great pressure from the Chinese attack and the weather dropped almost 40 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. When soldiers and marines retreated to the port of Hungnam, the navy began to evacuate on Christmas Eve.
Nearly 100,000 UN and Republic of Korea soldiers, and most of the refugees were evacuated. On December 25, the port was destroyed, and most UN forces headed for Pusan and other ports along the coast. Seoul was once again abandoned on January 3, 1951.
From then until the end of the war, China played a dominant role, not only in the procurement of military and civilian equipment and equipment, but also in the direction of strategy. Although North Korean soldiers continue to play an important role, both military authorities and civilian historians identify this Chinese attack marked a new phase of conflict. In addition, China will also play a leading role in negotiations which began in 1952.
War in the Hills and the Beginning of a Long Debate
General Walton Walker died in a jeep accident towards the end of December 1950. His successor, General Matthew B. Ridgway, arrived on Christmas Day and began the process of rebuilding the Eighth Army whose morale was destroyed after losing.
The effort was successful, Seoul was reconquered and on March 27, 1951. The Eighth Army continued to move until it reached the thirty-eighth parallel. In Operation Rugged, Ridgway's forces established the Lines of Wyoming and Kansas, which would be the main path of resistance for the whole war.
In early 1952, most territorial rights were decided, and in early November 1952 the United Nations Command adopted a defensive policy and began to invite the communists to negotiate.
During this time there were no large-scale military operations, but the war focused on hills, outposts, and small bunkers. This is because the number of troops and supplies is decreasing on both sides. Soldiers and machines are limited by the scope of tasks, such as destroying a fortress, dismantling a bunker or disrupting a supply line.
The fighting was limited to the hills, and the units involved were often no more than one company of troops. Success or failure at the conference table is reflected in the success or failure in the field. Peace negotiations continued, as the fighting in the hills continued fiercely.
The United Nations and communist countries enter negotiations with far different concepts and desires. In addition, problems arose around prisoners of war between the two parties. The negotiation process went very slow and frustrated, the talks were stopped many times, and consequently more reflected the political atmosphere than the military.
End of the Korean War: Weapons
Shortly after Joseph Stalin's death on March 5, 1953, the communists returned to the negotiating table and approved the exchange of prisoners. Changing the international environment was reflected in the various peace proposals offered. But the ceasefire depends on the agreement on the exchange of prisoners of war ...
Whatever affects the achievement of the final agreement is difficult to ascertain. Certainly included Joseph Stalin's death and Soviet domestic problems. The ceasefire was signed by General William K. Harrison and General Mark Clark for the United Nations, Marshal Peng The-huai for the Republic of China, and Marshall Kim Il Sung and Nam Il General for North Korea. The Republic of Korea did not sign the agreement.
Despite having reached a truce, there are still large numbers of North Korean residents and a much smaller number of South Koreans refuse to be repatriated. Thus creating new disputes in the future between the two Koreas.
The Korean War brought enormous losses to both parties. At least 33,741 US troops were killed in military action, 2,827 were killed in situations related to war, and 103,284 were injured. While the death toll for the Republic of South Korea alone reached 59,000 dead and 290,000 troops were injured, plus enough civilian casualties to bring the toll to nearly three million people.
More victims were on the side of North Korea and China, at least 500,000 troops were killed and one million were injured.
For material losses, South Korea is the most disadvantaged. Some villages disappeared as a result of the war and Seoul, the capital of the country, were mostly flat. Railroad lines, communications, overall state infrastructure, hydroelectric power plants, factories, civil buildings, even livestock and rice fields were destroyed.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ackermann, Marsha E (ed). 2008. Encyclopedia Of World History: The Contemporary World 1950 to the Present. New Yorl: Facts on File.
Edwards, Paul M. 2010. Historical Dictionary of the Korean War: Second Edition. Maryland: The Scarecrow Press.
Sorry, Carter. 2001. The Korean War 1950-1953. Oxford: Osprey Publishing.
Newark, Tim. 2001. Turning Tide of War: 50 Battles that Changed the Course of Modern History. London: Octopus Publishing.
Stueck, William. 1995. The Korean War. New Jersey: Princeton University Press.
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