Battle of Chosin Reservoir

From Wikinfo

The Battle of Chosin Reservoir began on November 26, 1950 during the Korean War in the mountains of northeastern North Korea between UN forces, mainly the 1st Marine Division and the U.S. 7th Infantry Division, and units of the Ninth Army Group of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (or Chinese Communist Forces (CCF)).

Prior to massive Chinese intervention there was an atmosphere of optimism with General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander Pacific, based in Tokyo, assuring President Truman that victory was imminent with minimal chance of Chinese or Russian intervention. The northeastern section of the Korean peninsula was being cleared by rapidly advancing South Korean troops, the ROK. MacArthur emphasized the advantage the Americans had in close air support, holding up the Marines as exemplary in that regard. MacArthur adopted an aggressive posture, advancing towards the Yalu River to the north, the Chinese boundary. ^[1]

The battle was preceded by transport by sea to Wonsan, on the east coast, of the 1st Marines from Inchon, on the west coast, where they had successfully landed and liberated Seoul in September, 1950. Advances to the north were on the mountain road to Chosin Reservoir. The UN forces were using WWII-era Japanese maps, Chosin was the Japanese name; the Korean name is Changjin. At the foot of Chosin Reservoir the road forked.

Around 20,000 UN troops clashed with 200,000 Chinese soldiers. In extremely fierce fighting that lasted until December 11, there were 15,000 UN casualties (7,500 to cold related injuries) and possibly 40,000 Chinese casualties, most to frostbite.

Neither force was adequately trained or equipped for the bitterly cold weather that developed in November, 1950. The Chinese forces were issued padded cotton clothing and canvas rubber-soled shoes. They were issued a cape which doubled as a blanket, a meager ration of grain and limited ammunition. In accord with their previous practice in China, the PLA soldiers were expected to acquire supplies from the local population. However, the Koreans had little to sell and the situation soon degenerated, with the Chinese taking and the Koreans fleeing.

The 1st Marine Division was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation.

Notes

^ Pages 45, 46, 51, 52 One Bugle No Drums: The Marines at Chosin Reservoir, William B. Hopkins, Avon (June, 1988), mass market paperback, 274 pages, ISBN 0-380-70455-2