Major battles
- Operation Killer - February 20th- to March 6th 1951. This battle was designed to attack the communist troops in the eastern part of North Korea. It succeeded but communism was spreading northward.
Operation Roundup- The next attack was in the center of the country, where the X Corps and the ROK III Corps launched Operation Roundup. It found the going difficult against the Chinese troops there. In fact, the Chinese launched what was known as their fourth offensive, the Battle of Chipyoongi. The UN managed to stop this offensive and once again regain the initiative.
Operation Ripper- The next attack was in the center of the country, where the X Corps and the ROK III Corps launched Operation Roundup. It found the going difficult against the Chinese troops there. In fact, they launched what was known as their fourth offensive, the Battle of Chipyoongi. The UN managed to stop this offensive and once again regain the initiative.
Battle of Inchon- General MacArthur, commander of UN troops in Korea, had from the very start believed that the path to victory in Korea was a flanking amphibious assault. McArthur had successfully led a series of amphibious assaults in the Pacific during World War II. MacArthur wanted to land at Inchon, the port city serving Seoul, which was 20 miles inland. MacArthur had to overcome the opposition of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but soon had approval for his plan and, more importantly, received the Marine 1st Division to carry out the assault itself. Major General Edward Almond, MacArthur's chief of staff, was appointed the commander of the invasion force.On September 10, a fleet of 230 vessels set off from Japan for the beachhead at Inchon. Inchon had both an inner and outer harbor. In order to successfully land at Inchon, it was necessary to capture Wolmi-do Island in the harbor. Because of the tides, it would be necessary to first attack Wolmi-do; and then, the next day, it was possible to attack Inchon.
On the evening of September 15, after a day of bombardment, the Marines began their invasion of the island. The Marines quickly achieved their first objective - Radio Hill. Within an hour, the island was in American hands. The Marines suffered only 17 wounded, none serious. The North Koreans. However, lost 108 dead and 136 captured, while more were entombed in the rubble.
By the late afternoon of the 16th, landing craft once again set off, this time for Inchon. At 5:30, the first of the boats reached the Inchon shore, which in this case was a high sea wall. Quickly, the Marines came ashore. Despite seemingly losing the element of surprise, the Marines overcame the defenders, suffering low casualties. The Marines lost 20 dead and 174 wounded. The North Koreans lost a total of 1,350 men. The Marines quickly moved inland. On the first day, the Marines advanced 10 miles inland towards Seoul. Early the next morning, six North Korean tanks attempted a counterattack. Within moments, well-armed and trained Marines destroyed all six tanks.
On the evening of September 15, after a day of bombardment, the Marines began their invasion of the island. The Marines quickly achieved their first objective - Radio Hill. Within an hour, the island was in American hands. The Marines suffered only 17 wounded, none serious. The North Koreans. However, lost 108 dead and 136 captured, while more were entombed in the rubble.
By the late afternoon of the 16th, landing craft once again set off, this time for Inchon. At 5:30, the first of the boats reached the Inchon shore, which in this case was a high sea wall. Quickly, the Marines came ashore. Despite seemingly losing the element of surprise, the Marines overcame the defenders, suffering low casualties. The Marines lost 20 dead and 174 wounded. The North Koreans lost a total of 1,350 men. The Marines quickly moved inland. On the first day, the Marines advanced 10 miles inland towards Seoul. Early the next morning, six North Korean tanks attempted a counterattack. Within moments, well-armed and trained Marines destroyed all six tanks.
Battle of Pusan- The line slowly stabilized. It was helped by the arrival of the 1st Marine Brigade -- the first unit to arrive directly from the States, intact; a unit that had trained together. Indeed, it made a difference. Walker gave the Marines the responsibility of defending the Western portion of the Pusan perimeter. They stopped the North Koreans in their tracks. The Marines managed to counterattack, and achieved the first US victory of the war on this front. American troops and equipment, including the first tanks, began to pouring in, and the perimeter at Pusan held. The North Koreans attempted two major crossings of the Naktong River. The attacks were contained, and the city of Taejon was held. By the middle of September, the Pusan perimeter seemed nearly secure.
implications
I drew implications about the roles of the battles. I think that the battles made a lot of stress/tension and disapproval because the opposing side always wanted to win. When one side lost to a major battle, they want to win another battle so they can be equal to their enemy, just like NBA Playoffs. I think that the battles causes aggression from both sides of battles and when they start fighting they would do anything they can to win, like when Hirohito(emperor of Japan during ww2) had his army and civilians do suicide bombs on enemies and hara-kiris. Which means they would sacrificed themselves in order to win the battle.
