The Battle of Chosin Reservoir , also known as Chosin Reservoir Campaign or Battle of Jhangjin Lake (Korean: ? ??? ; hanja: ?????; rr: Jangjin ho jeontu ; Mandarin: ????? ChÃÆ'¡ngj? n HÃÆ'º ZhÃÆ' nyÃÆ'¬ ), was a decisive battle in the Korean War. The name "Chosin" comes from Japanese pronunciation " Ch? Shin ", instead of Korean pronunciation " Changjin ", from Chinese word ??.
The fighting came about a month after the People's Republic of China entered the conflict and sent the Army's Ninth Army to infiltrate northeastern North Korea. On November 27, 1950, Chinese troops stunned the US X Corps commanded by Major General Edward Almond in the Chosin Reservoir area. The brutal 17 days of fighting in the cold weather soon followed. Between November 27 and December 13, 30,000 UN troops (later nicknamed "The Chosin Few") under the field command of Major General Oliver P. Smith were besieged and attacked by some 120,000 Chinese troops under the command of Song Shilun, who had been ordered by Mao Zedong to destroying UN forces. UN troops remain capable of escaping the siege and withdrawing troops to the port of Hungnam, inflicting heavy casualties on China. The US Marine units are supported in their withdrawal by the US Army Task Force on their east side, which suffered many casualties and full offensive attacks on China. Following the withdrawal of the US Eighth Army from northwestern Korea following the Ch'ongch'on River battle, the X Corps evacuation from the Hungnam port in northeastern Korea marked the complete withdrawal of UN troops from North Korea.
Video Battle of Chosin Reservoir
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In mid-October 1950, after a successful landing at Inchon by the US X Corps and the subsequent destruction of the Korean People's Army, the Korean War seemed to end. The United Nations (UN) force advanced rapidly to North Korea with the intention of uniting North and South Korea before the end of 1950. North Korea was divided through the center by the impassable Taebaek Mountains, which separated UN troops into two groups. Eight US Army advanced north through the west coast of the Korean Peninsula, while the Republic of Korea (ROK) I Corps and the US X Corps advanced north on the east coast.
At the same time the People's Republic of China entered the conflict after issuing several warnings to the United Nations. On October 19, 1950, the great formation of Chinese troops, dubbed the People's Volunteer Army (PVA), secretly crossed the border and into North Korea. One of the first Chinese units to reach the Chosin Reservoir area was the Corps of 42 PVA, and its task was to stop the progress of the eastern UN. On October 25, the advanced ROK I Corps made contact with China and stopped at Funchilin Pass, south of the Chosin Reservoir. After the landing at Wonsan, the 1st US Marines Division of X Corps was involved in the PVA Defense Division on November 2, and the ensuing battle caused many casualties among the Chinese. On November 6, the PVA 42nd Corps ordered a retreat to the north with the aim of luring UN troops into the Chosin Reservoir. On November 24, the Marine Division 1 occupied Sinhung-ni on the east side of the reservoir, and Yudami-ni on the west side of the reservoir.
Faced with a sudden attack by Chinese troops in the Eighth Army sector, General Douglas MacArthur ordered the Eighth Army to launch the Christmas Attack. To support the attack, MacArthur ordered X Corps to attack west of Chosin Reservoir and to cut off the vital Manpojin - Kanggye - Huichon supply line. In response, Major General Edward M. Almond, commander of US X Corps, formulated a plan on 21 November. It calls on the 1st US Marines Division to advance west through Yudami-ni, while the US 7th Infantry Division will provide regimental combat teams to protect the right wing in Sinhung-ni. The US 3rd Infantry Division will also protect the left wing while providing security in the back area. At that time the X Corps was stretched thinly along the next 400 miles.
Surprised by the Marine Landing at Wonsan, Chinese Chairman Mao Zedong called for the immediate demolition of the ROK Capital Division, ROK III Infantry Division, 1st US Marines Division and 7th US Infantry Division on telegraph for Panglima Song Shilun of the 9th Army of PVA on October 31st. Under Mao's urgent order, the 9th Army was rushed to North Korea on 10 November. Undetected by UN intelligence, the 9th Army secretly entered the Chosin Reservoir area on November 17, with the Army's 20th Army Corps to free the 42nd Corps near Yudami-ni.
Maps Battle of Chosin Reservoir
Prelude
Location, terrain and weather
Chosin Reservoir is an artificial lake located in the northeast of the Korean peninsula. The name Chosin is a Japanese pronunciation of the name of Korea Changjin's place, and the name stalled because of the obsolete Japanese maps used by UN forces. The main focus of the battle is about 78 miles (126 km) long road connecting Hungnam and Chosin Reservoir, which serves as the only retreat route for UN troops. Through these streets, Yudami-ni and Sinhung-ni, located on the west and east sides of each reservoir, are connected in Hagaru-ri. From there, the road passes through Koto-ri and eventually leads to the Hungnam harbor. The area around the Chosin Reservoir has a small population.
The battle took place in some steep terrain during some of the harshest winter weather conditions of the Korean War. The road was made by cutting hilly terrain in Korea, with steep inclines and drops. The dominant peaks, such as the Funchilin Pass and the Toktong Pass, ignore the entire length of the road. The quality of the roads is bad, and in some places it is reduced to a one-lane pebble path. On November 14, 1950, a cold front from Siberia descended on the Chosin Reservoir, and the temperature fell to -35 ° F (-37 ° C). Cold weather is accompanied by frozen soil, creating grave danger from frostbite victims, slippery roads, and weapon malfunctions. Medical supplies freeze; morphine syrettes should be diluted in the mouth of a doctor before they can be injected; frozen blood plasma is useless on the battlefield. Even cutting clothes to deal with gangrene-risking wounds and frostbite. The batteries used for Jeep and radio did not work well in temperature and quickly ran down. The lubrication in the weapon makes them useless in combat. Likewise, the springs on the firing pins will not be hard enough to fire round, or will be stuck.
Troop and strategy
Although the 1st Marine Division landed on Wonsan as part of Almond's US X Corps, Almond and Major General Oliver P. Smith of the 1st Marine Division shared a hatred of each other dating back to the meeting before the landing at Inchon, when Almond had talked about how the ease of amphibious landing even though he was never involved in it. Smith believes there are large numbers of Chinese troops in North Korea despite the fact that Tokyo's headquarters say the opposite, but Almond feels Smith is too cautious. Distrust between commanders caused Smith to slow the progress of the 1st Marine Division to the Chosin Reservoir in violation of Almond instructions. Smith established supply points and airstrips along the road at Hagaru-ri and Koto-ri.
As the US X Corps pushes toward the reservoir, China formulates its strategy, based on their experience in the Chinese Civil War. Working from the assumption that only a mild UN presence will be in the reservoir, China's 9th Corps Army first destroys the UN garrison in Yudami-ni and Sinhung-ni, then pushes toward Hagaru-ri. Believing most of the US X Corps will move to rescue the destroyed unit, the 9th Army will then block and trap the UN main force on the road between Hagaru-ri and Hungnam. The 9th Army initially conducted eight divisions for combat, with most troops concentrated in Yudami-ni and Sinhung-ni.
The flaw in China's plan is the lack of accurate intelligence about UN troops. Although the US Corps X stretched thin in northeast Korea, the slow progress of the Marines allowed most of the US Marine Division, including the 5th, 7th and 11th Marines, concentrated in Yudami-ni. In addition, strategically important Hagaru-ri, which contains airfields and stockpiles, is not a priority for the Chinese despite being lightly defended by the 1st and 7th Marines. Only Regimental Combat Team 31, a prolonged regimental combat team and rushed to form the US 7th Infantry Division, spread thinly along the eastern edge of the reservoir. The units will bear the brunt of the Chinese attack. As for UN troops, the Marine Division 1 had an effective force of 25,473 people at the start of the battle, and it was further strengthened by the British Royal Marine Commando 41. and is equivalent to two regiments from the 3rd and 7th Armored Infantry Divisions. The UN force has a combined force of about 30,000 people during the fighting. The UN force in Chosin was also supported by one of the largest concentrations of air force during the Korean War, since the First Airplane Wing stationed at Yonpo Airfield and five US Navy aircraft carriers, Task Force 77, were able to launch 230 surprise attacks each day. to provide air support during the fighting, while the US Far Eastern Air Force Cargo Command in Japan reached an airdropping capacity of 250 tonnes of supplies per day to supply trapped UN troops.
Although the 9th Army Corps is one of China's elite formations, composed of veterans and former POWs of the Huaihai Campaign, some shortcomings hamper his ability during combat. Initially the 9th Army was meant to be prepared in Manchuria during November, but Mao suddenly ordered him to Korea before it could happen. As a result, the 9th Corps of the Corps barely have winter clothing for the harsh Korean winter. Similarly, bad logistics forced the 9th Generation Corps to leave heavy artillery, while working with less food and ammunition. Food shortages forced the 9th Army Corps to initially place a third of its power away from the Chosin Reservoir as a reserve, and hunger and exposure broke out among Chinese units since feeding was not an option in the sparsely populated reservoirs. At the end of the battle, more Chinese troops died of chills than from combat and air strikes.
The Chinese power is usually estimated at 120,000 troops for combat, as the 9th Army consists of 12 divisions with the power of 10,000 men per division. Before arriving in Korea, the 9th Army Corps was also strengthened. Each of the three Corps now has four divisions instead of three regular. Infantry from two previously liberated Nationalist divisions were absorbed to bring every infantry company to power. Some companies have about 150 people, but other companies are reinforced with over 200 people. On average, every division of the 9th Army has more infantry troops than any other Chinese division.
Finally, all 12 Chinese divisions of the 9th Army Corps were deployed. The eight divisions of the 20th and 27th PVA Corps serve as the main attacking force. The four divisions of the Corps 26 PVA were initially held back as reserves, and were deployed after the 20th and 27th Corps spent all the power available.
Battle
On the night of November 27, the 20th and 27th PVA Corps of the 9th Corps Corps launched several attacks and ambushed along the road between the Chosin Reservoir and Kot'o-ri. In Yudam-ni, the 5th, 7th and 11th Marines were besieged and attacked by the 79th and 89th Divisions of the PVA, with the 59th Division attacking the road between Yudam-ni and Hagaru-ri to break the communication. Similarly, RCT-31 was isolated and ambushed in Sinhung-ni by the 80th, 81st and 94th PVA Divisions. At Hagaru-ri, the Marine Division 1's command headquarters was attacked by the 58th Division of PVA. Finally, Division 60 PVAs surrounded the elements of the 1st Marines in Kot'o-ri from the north. Caught by surprise, UN forces were cut off in Yudam-ni, Sinhung-ni, Hagaru-ri and Kot'o-ri on 28 November.
Actions in Yudam-ni
Acting on Almond instructions, Smith ordered the 5th Marine to attack the west towards Mupyong-ni on 27 November. The attack was immediately halted by the PVA Division 89 and forced the Marines to dig on the backs around Yudam-ni. As night came, three Chinese regiments from the 79th Division attacked the mountains to the north and northwest of Yudam-ni, hoping to destroy the garrison in an attack. The melee combat soon developed when the attackers infiltrated into Marines positions, but the 5th and 7th Marines held off the line while causing heavy casualties for the Chinese. When the day broke out on November 28, Chinese troops and American defenders were locked in a blind alley around the perimeter of Yudam-ni.
While the battle was underway in Yudam-ni, Division 59 PVA blocked the road between Yudam-ni and Hagaru-ri by attacking Charlie and Fox Company from the 7th Marine. Successful attacks forced Charlie Company to withdraw to Yudam-ni which left the Fox Company trapped in Toktong Pass, a vital road that controlled the road. On November 29, several attempts by the 7th Marines failed to save the Fox Company despite inflicting heavy casualties on the Chinese. Assisted by artillery from Hagaru-ri and Marine Corsair fighters, Fox Company managed to survive for five days while holding off a constant attack by the Division 59 PVA.
After the huge losses suffered by the 79th Division of PVA in Yudam-ni, the headquarters of the Army Corps 9 realized that most of the 1st Marine Division was stationed in Yudam-ni, with garrison forces doubling the initial estimate. Believing that further attacks would be in vain, Song Shilun ordered the 9th Army to divert their main assault towards Sinhung-ni and Hagaru-ri, leaving Yudam-ni alone from Nov 28 to Nov. 30. At the same time, the US Eighth Army on the western front of Korea was forced to retreat fully at the Ch'ongch'on River Battle, and MacArthur ordered Almond to withdraw the US X Corps to the Hungnam port. Acting on the instructions of Almond and Smith, Lieutenant Colonel Raymond L. Murray and Colonel Homer L. Litzenberg, the 5th and 7th Marine commanders, respectively, issued a joint order to exit Yudam-ni to Hagaru-ri on 30 November. Faced with a fierce battle between dividing Chinese divisions and retreating Marines, Smith commented: "Back off, hell! We are not backing down, we are just advancing in a different direction."
For penetration, the Marines formed a convoy with a single Sherman M4A3 tank as a leader. The plan is to have the 3rd Battalion, the 5th Marine (3/5) as the front guard of the convoy, with three battalions covering the back. At the same time, Battalion 1, Marines 7 (1/7) will attack the Fox Company to open the road in Toktong Pass. To begin the escape, the 3rd Battalion, the 7th Marine (3/7) must first strike south and capture Bukit 1542 and Bukit 1419 to cover the path of the Chinese attack. The penetration was carried out under the air cover of the First Sea Air Wing.
On the morning of December 1st, the 3rd Battalion, the 7th Marine (3/7) was involved in the 175th Regiment of the 59th Division PVA at Bukit 1542 and 1419. Tough Chinese advocates promptly forced the Marines to dig on the slopes between the road and the peak when the convoy passed the 3/7 position in the afternoon. With Hagaru-ri still not caught, the PVA High Command ruffled the 79th Division to continue the attack on Yudam-ni, while the 89th Division rushed south towards Kot'o-ri. The Chinese attack at night, and fierce fighting forces the back cover to summon night warriors to suppress attacks. The battle lasted until the morning of December 2 until all the Marines managed to withdraw from Yudam-ni.
At the same time, Battalion 1, the 7th Marine (1/7), also tried to break the Chinese blockade on Hill 1419 on December 1st. Though greatly reduced by combat, famine and frostbite, the Division 59 PVA dispatched in the last five platoons and refused to surrender. As night approached, 1/7 finally caught the peak and began marching through the hills on the east side of the road. Relying on the element of surprise, they managed to destroy some Chinese positions along the way. On the morning of December 2, a joint attack by Fox Company and 1/7 secured the Toktong Pass, paving the way between Yudam-ni and Hagaru-ri.
Although the road has been opened between Yudam-ni and Hagaru-ri, the convoys still have to fight through many Chinese positions in the hills overlooking the road. On the first night of the retreat, the Chinese attacked the ruling convoy and inflicted heavy casualties on the 3rd Battalion, the 5th Marine (3/5). Despite strong air cover pressing most of the Chinese troops during the rest of the march, the cold weather, harassing the fire, stormed the party, and the roadblock slowed back to a crawl while causing many casualties. Regardless of the difficulty, the convoy reached Hagaru-ri regularly on the afternoon of December 3, with the withdrawal completed on 4 December.
East Reservoir
Regimental Combat Team 31 (RCT-31), later known as "Task Force Faith", is a hastily formed squad team of the 7th Infantry Division that keeps the right side of the Marine forward towards Mupyong-ni. Before the battle, RCT-31 was spread thinly, with major elements separated in the northern hills of Sinhung-ni, western Sinhung-ni's inlet, and the southern Hudong-ni city of Sinhung-ni. Although China believes the RCT-31 as a reinforced regiment, the task force actually lacks power, with one battalion lost, as most of the 7th Infantry Division is scattered in northeastern Korea.
On the night of November 27th, three regiments from the 80th Division attacked the northern hills and inlets, completely shocking the defenders. The ensuing battle caused many casualties in Battalion 1, 32nd Infantry, north of Sinhung-ni, while the 57th Armored Battalion of the Field and the 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry, were almost ruled in the inlet. China also sent the 242nd Regiment from the 81st Division to Mount 1221, an unmanned hill which controlled the road between Sinhung-ni and Hudong-ni. As the night combat ends, RCT-31 is separated into three elements.
Believing that human rights defenders were completely destroyed at the entrance, China stopped their attacks and began looting US positions for food and clothing. When the morning came on November 28th, the 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry struck back the PVA 239th Regiment in the inlet, sending shocked Chinese backs in full defeat. In the afternoon, Almond flies to the perimeter of RCT-31, convinced that the RCT-31 is strong enough to launch its assault north and deal with any "remnants" of the Chinese troops that are blocking them. Almond ordered Colonel Allan D. Maclean, commander of RCT-31, to continue the offensive attack north while presenting Silver Stars to three Maclean officers. Disgusted, Lieutenant Colonel Don C. Faith, Jr., commander of 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry, threw his field into the snow.
On the night of November 28, the 80th PVA Division struck again with four regiments. In the inlet, the Chinese attack became a disaster when communication broke down, while the fierce fire from the anti-aircraft weapon (AA) attached to the 57th Artillery Battalion swept the Chinese ranks. In the aftermath of the battle, PVA 238 and the 239th Regiment together had fewer than 600 soldiers. The attack by the 240th PVA Regiment, on the other hand, forced Maclean to order retreat from the northern hills to the inlet. On November 29th, the 1st Battalion broke through the Chinese blockade and reached the driveway, but Maclean vanished when he mistook some Chinese soldiers for America. The Chinese finally stopped their attacks on the night of November 29, pending new reinforcements.
While RCT-31 is under siege, Almond finally instructs the 1st Marine Division to rescue RCT-31 by getting out of Yudam-ni - a command that is impossible for Smith to implement. Only the 31st Tank Company tried to save the RCT-31 by attacking Bukit 1221, but without infantry support, two armored attacks on 28 and 29 November were halted by slippery roads, rough terrain, and infantry attacks. On November 30, US troops evacuated Hudong-ni to defend Hagaru-ri, leaving behind the remnant of RCT-31.
On November 30, Maj. Gen. David G. Barr, commander of the 7th Infantry Division, flew into Sinhung-ni's mouth and met with Faith, who has now taken command of RCT-31. Faith reveals the difficulty of an escape, especially the injured 500 that RCT-31 has to bring. On the same day, part of the PVA Division 94 and the rest of the 81st Division were taken as reinforcements for the 80th Division. At midnight, six Chinese regiments renewed their attack, and Zhan Danan, commander of the 80th Division, ordered the complete destruction of RCT-31 before dawn. Again, the AA Battalion's 57th weapon held China at bay, but the supply of the bullets ran very low. On December 1, Faith finally ordered RCT-31 to get out of Sinhung-ni and retreat to Hagaru-ri.
Breakout starts immediately after weather allows 1 Marine Aircraft Wing to provide air cover on December 1st. When the soldiers formed the convoy and tried to leave the perimeter, the 241st PVA Regiment immediately invaded the American troops, with three other regiments approaching. With no choice, the covering plane dropped napalm right in front of RCT-31, causing casualties among Chinese and US troops. The resulting lightning storm wiped away the obstructing Chinese companies, allowing the convoy to move forward. When the front of the RCT-31 moved forward, heavy arms fire caused many members of the rear guard to seek shelter under the road rather than protecting the truck. Chinese fires also killed or injured those already inside trucks and drivers, who viewed the work as a form of suicide. Slowly, the convoy approached the roadblock under Hill 1221 in the afternoon. Some sides tried to clear Hill 1221, but after taking part of the hill, the leaderless soldiers continued out into the frozen reservoir instead of returning to the column. When Faith led an attack on a roadblock, she was struck by a Chinese grenade and later died of her injuries. The convoy made it through the first street block, but when it reached second in Hudong-ni, the RCT-31 was destroyed under Chinese attack. Of the original 2,500 soldiers, about 1,050 managed to reach Hagaru-ri, and only 385 survivors were considered able-bodied. The remnants of RCT-31 were formed into a temporary army battalion for the remainder of the battle.
Actions in Hagaru-ri
To support the Marines attack against Mupyong-ni, Hagaru-ri became an important dumping ground with an on-going airfield. Smith and the headquarters of the First Marine Division are also located in Hagaru-ri. With most of the Marine Division 1 assembled in Yudam-ni, Hagaru-ri was lightly defended by two battalions of Marines 1 and 7, the remaining garrisons consisting of engineers and rear support units of both Army and Marine Corps.
The original Chinese plan called for the 58th Division to attack Hagaru-ri on the night of November 27, but the division was lost in the countryside because of the ancient Japanese maps it used. It was not until the dawn of November 28 that the 58th Division arrived at Hagaru-ri. Meanwhile, from the battles and ambushes that occurred the night before, the garrison at Hagaru-ri watched the Chinese troops around them. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas L. Ridge, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine (3/1), predicted the Chinese attack would come on the night of November 28. Nearly everyone, including a back support unit with a little combat training, is pushed into the frontline due to a labor shortage, and the entire perimeter is on full alert at 21:30.
It was not long before the Highest Regiment of PVA attacked the western and southern perimeters, while the 172th Regiment attacked the hills on the northern perimeter. Despite preparations, the garrison was under overwhelmed rule, with China opening several gaps in defense and reaching the rear. The resulting chaos, however, caused disciplinary disruption among the Chinese army, which began to loot food and clothing instead of exploiting the situation. The surviving Americans managed to crush Chinese troops in a counterattack, while disruption of communications between Chinese regiments allowed the gap to close. When the battle ceased, the Chinese had just reached the Eastern Hill on the northern perimeter. Another attack was planned for the night of November 29, but the air strikes by VMF-542 dissolved the Chinese formations before it could be done.
In view of the critical labor shortage at Hagaru-ri, on 29 November, Smith ordered Colonel Lewis "Chesty" The First Marine Regiment Army to collect task forces to be sent north from Kot'o-ri to open the southern road of Hagaru-ri. In response, the task force was formed with 921 troops from 41 Royal Marine Commando, Company G of Marines 1 and Company B of the 31st Infantry. The task force was dubbed the "Drysdale Duty Unit" after its commander Lt. Col. Douglas B. Drysdale, who also commanded 41 Commando. On the afternoon of 29 November, the Drysdale Task Force pushed north of Koto-ri while under constant attack from the 60th Division of PVA. The dreadful experience of the task force was later earned the nickname "Hell Fire Valley". As Chinese attacks continued, the task force became disorganized, and a truck destroyed in the convoy then broke the task force into two segments. Although the main segment of the task force fought within Hagaru-ri on the night of November 29, the rear segment was destroyed. Despite suffering 162 people dead and missing and 159 injured, the task force succeeded in bringing 300 much-needed infantry to defense in Hagaru-ri.
As more aid came from Hudong-ni on 30 November, the garrison attempted to retake the East Hill. All efforts failed despite the destruction of Chinese companies. As the darkness subsided, the 58th PVA Division gathered 1,500 remaining soldiers in a final attempt to capture Hagaru-ri. The reinforced defenders destroyed most of the attacking troops, with only defense around East Hill giving way. As the Chinese tried to advance from the East Hill, they were cut down by the 31st Tank Company.
On December 1st, the 58th Division of PVA was almost destroyed, with the rest waiting for reinforcements from the Army's 26th Army Corps. But much to the frustration of Song Shilun, the 26th Corps did not arrive before the Marines came out of Yudam-ni. The airfield opened to traffic on December 1, allowing UN troops to bring in reinforcements and evacuate the dead and wounded. With the Marines in Yudam-ni completing their withdrawal on 4 December, trapped UN troops can finally start their escape towards the port of Hungnam.
Breakout
After a short break period, the escape starts on December 6 with the 7th Marines as the front guard of the retreating column while the 5th Marine covers the back. At the same time, the highly delayed Korps 26 PVA arrived at Hagaru-ri with the 76th and 77th Divisions that freed the 58th and 60th Divisions. When the 7th Marine eliminated the 76th PVA Division south of Hagaru-ri, the 5th Marine took over Hagaru-ri's perimeter and retook East Hill from the 76th Division. In a last-ditch effort to stop the escape, the indigenous Chinese night raids returned with the 76th and 77th Divisions which attacked Hagaru-ri's perimeter from all directions. Marines forgave Chinese attacks, causing many casualties.
Meanwhile, Marines 7 paved the way between Hagaru-ri and Koto-ri by capturing the plateau that surrounds the road. But once the Marines are pulled out, the 77th Division returns to the top and attacks the column. The chaotic fighting appeared in the column and the retreat slowed to a crawl. The Marines night warriors, however, returned to subdue Chinese troops, and the battle destroyed most of the blocking troops. On December 7th, the remaining columns managed to reach Kot'o-ri with little difficulty with the last element arriving in Kot'o-ri that night.
After the failure of the 26th Corps in Hagaru-ri, the PVA High Command ordered the 26th and 27th Corps to pursue the escaping UN troops with the 20th Corps that blocked the escape route. But with most of the 20th Corps destroyed in Yudam-ni and Hagaru-ri, the only forces between Kot'o-ri and Hungnam are the remnants of the 58th and 60th Divisions. In desperation, Song Shilun commands this army to dig in Funchilin Pass while blowing up a vital treadway bridge, hoping the terrain and obstacles will allow the 26th and 27th Corps to pursue the retreating UN troops. The 180nd PVA regiment occupying Bukit 1081 blew up the original concrete bridge and two successive improvisations, believing that the bridge was made irreparable. In response, Battalion 1, Marines 1 (1/1) attacked Mount 1081 from the south, and the hill was captured on 9 December after defenders fought for the last man. At the same time, Marines 7 and RCT-31 attacked the treadway bridge from the north, only to confront the defenders who had frozen in their foxhole.
With the road to Hungnam blocked on Funchilin Pass, eight C-119 Flying Boxcars flown by the US 314th Troop Carrier Wing were used to drop portable portable bridges with parachutes. The bridge, which consists of eight separate sections 18 feet (5.5 m), 2,900 pounds (1,300 kg), dropped one part at a time, using a 48 foot (15 m) parachute on each section. Four of these sections, along with additional timber extensions, were successfully rearranged to a replacement bridge by Marine Corps Engineers and the 58th US Army Treadway Bridge Engineer on December 9, allowing UN troops to continue. Outmaneuvered, the 58th and 60th PVA divisions are still trying to slow the progress of the UN with ambushes and raids, but after weeks of incessant fighting, two combined Chinese divisions have only 200 soldiers left. The last UN force left Funchilin 11 December.
One of the last engagements during the withdrawal was an ambush in Sudong by the 89th PVA Division, the Task Dog of the 3rd Infantry Division being repulsed with little difficulty. The trapped UN troops eventually reached the Hungnam limit at 21:00 on December 11.
Evacuate at Hungnam
By the time the UN troops arrived in Hungnam, MacArthur had ordered the evacuation of the US X Corps on 8 December to strengthen the US Eight Army, which at the time was severely depleted and retreated rapidly toward the 38th parallel. Following his orders, ROK I Corps, Marine Regiment 1 ROK, US 3rd Infantry Division and US 7th Infantry Division also have established a defensive position around the harbor. Several minor battles occurred between 7th, 17th and 65th Infantry defending the US and the 27th PVA Corps pursuing, but against the powerful naval firepower provided by the US Navy Task Force 90, the severe 9th Army not in shape to approach Hungnam perimeter.
In what US historians call "the largest evacuation movement by sea in US military history", a fleet of ships gathered at the harbor and evacuated not only UN forces but also their heavy equipment and about one-third of Korean refugees. One Victory ship, SS Meredith Victory evacuated 14,000 refugees. The last UN unit left at 14:36 ​​on December 24, and the port was destroyed to deny its use to Chinese and North Korean troops. The 27th PVA Corps entered Hungnam on the morning of 25 December.
Aftermath
While the US X Corps is being evacuated from the eastern front, the US Eighth Army has retreated to the 38th parallel on the western front after the Ch'ongch'on River battle. With all the UN fronts collapsing, the race to Yalu ends with Chinese communist forces retaking most of North Korea. The Korean War will drag on for two and a half years before a ceasefire was signed on July 27, 1953. In addition to the disappearance of North Korea, the US Corps X and ROK I Corps later reported a total of 10,495 battle casualties, of which 4,385 were from US Marines, 3,163 from the Army US, 2,812 are from South Korea attached to American formation and 78 came from the Royal Marines. Outside combat losses, the Marine Division 1 also reported 7,338 non-combat casualties due to cold weather.
Despite the loss, the US X Corps retains much of its power. Around 105,000 troops, 98,000 civilians, 17,500 vehicles, and 350,000 tons of supplies were shipped from Hungnam to Pusan, and they would later rejoin the war effort in Korea. Commander-General Smith was credited for saving the US X Corps from destruction, while the 1st Marine Division, 41 Royal Marines Command and RCT-31 Army were awarded Excerpts of the Presidential Unit for their ductility during the battle. Fourteen Marines, two Soldiers and one Navy pilot received a Medal of Honor, and all UN troops stationed in Chosin were later honored with the nickname "The Chosin Few". On September 15th, 2010, the Korean War Veterans Chosin Reservoir Battle memorial was inaugurated by the Commander of the United States Marine Corps General James T. Conway at Camp Pendleton.
China was also thrown into the status of a major military force after victory in Chosin, but the victory came at a surprising cost. With the escape of US X Corps and ROK I Corps, Mao's vision for Chosin was not realized, and the failure caused Song Shilun to offer his resignation. At the same time, many victims caused by fighting and poor logistical support destroyed many of the eight elite divisions under the 20th and 27th Corps. Of the eight divisions, two divisions were forced to disband, and not until March 1951, the 9th Army returned to its normal strength and became an effective fighter. In the absence of nearly 40 per cent of Chinese troops in Korea in early 1951, China's huge losses in Chosin finally allowed UN troops to maintain a foothold in Korea.
Operation Glory
During the battle, UN victims are buried in temporary grave sites along the way. Operation Glory lasted from July to November 1954, where the dead of each party were exchanged. The remains of 4,167 US Soldiers and Marines were exchanged for 13,528 North Koreans and Chinese were killed. In addition, 546 civilians killed in UN custody camps were handed over to the South Korean government. After Operation Glory, 416 Korean War "unknown" is buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific ("Punchbowl Cemetery" in Honolulu, Hawaii). According to the white paper of the Defense Force War/Lost Police Station (DPMO), 1,394 names were also transmitted during "Operation Glory" from China and North Korea, of which 858 were proven true. 4,167 returned nonetheless found to 4,219, of which 2,944 were found Americans, with all but 416 identified by name. Out of 239 unknown Korean Wars, 186 unrelated to Punchbowl Cemetery is unknown. From 1990 to 1994, North Korea dug and returned more than 208 sets of relics that may include 200 to 400 US troops, but very few have been identified because of the combined remains of the bodies. From 2001 to 2005, more remains were found from the Chosin Battle site, and about 220 were found near the Chinese border between 1996 and 2006.
See also
- History of the United States Army
- The History of the United States Marine Corps
- History of the People's Liberation Army
Note
Foot Records
Quotes
References
Further reading
External links
- "Chosin Reservoir: Epic of Endurance". Korean War Educator. 2007-01-23 . Retrieved 2007-12-16 .
- Stewart, Richard W. Korean War: Chinese Intervention . United States Army Military Historical Center. CMH Pub 19-8 . Retrieved 2007-01-10 .
- Veteran Chosin website
- Changjin Journal
- Chosin , a 2010 documentary by Brian Iglesias and Anton Sattler
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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