Battle of Chosin Reservoir

The Battle of Chosin Reservoir (17 November – 13 December 1950) was an important battle during the Korean War.

Battle of Chosin Reservoir
Part of the Korean War
A column of the US 1st Marine Division moves through Chinese lines during its breakout from the Chosin Reservoir
Date 27 November – 13 December 1950 Location Chosin Reservoir, in present day Changjin County, South Hamgyong Province, North Korea Result See Aftermath section Territorial changes Chinese forces recover northeastern North Korea; UN forces withdraw.
Belligerents
United Nations (UNC) United States South Korea United Kingdom	China North Korea
Commanders and leaders
Douglas MacArthur Edward Almond Oliver P. Smith	Peng Dehuai Song Shilun
Units involved
see Battle of Chosin Reservoir order of battle	See Battle of Chosin Reservoir order of battle
Strength
Nominal: 103,520 Committed: ~30,000	Nominal: 150,000 Committed: ~120,000
Casualties and losses
US sources: 1,029 killed 4,894 missing 4,582 wounded 7,338 non-battle casualties 15 tank losses 17,843 total Chinese estimation: 13,900	Chinese sources: 19,202 battle casualties 28,954 non-battle casualties 48,156 total Unofficial estimations: ~60,000 UN estimation: 29,800 battle casualties 20,000+ non-battle casualties

The United Nations Command, led by the United States, occupied North Korea, which had attacked South Korea.

The People's Republic of China entered the war after it had given several warnings to the United Nations. It attacked United Nations Command and forced its retreat.

In 1953, the Korean War ended with a stalemate. An armistice divided Korea at the 38th parallel.

Background

North Korea invaded South Korea across the 38th parallel and occupied most of South Korea. The South Korean Army retreated to Busan.

The United Nations Command intervened, landed at Incheon, and captured Seoul. The United Nations occupied most of North Korea and approached its border with China, the Yalu River.

Chinese forces infiltrated into North Korea and hid there. Mao Zedong decided to attack the United Nations during the Second Phase Offensive.

Terrain

The Korean Peninsula has the Taebaek mountains splitting it in its middle which divides the east from the west. The Chosin Reservoir was an artificial lake in hilly terrain in the northeast of the peninsula. A road connects the reservoir to the southeast to the port city of Hungnam.

Aftermath

Despite their victory in the battle, the Chinese lost so many troops that they would not be able to win the war. Also, the United Nations learned lessons from the defeat and no longer had the effect of surprise.

Operation Glory occurred in 1954 to make permanent graveyards for those who had died during the battle.