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| Korean War Memorial Battery Park NYC |
Korea had been a Japanese Colony since 1910. Following Japan's defeat in World War Two, Korea was partitioned along the 38th Parallel. To the North it was under the influence of Soviet Russia, the South was under control of an American military administration.
The Soviets supported a Stalinist regime under the control of Kim Il-sung. They created the North Korean Peoples' Army and equipped it with Russian tanks and artillery. The American backed administration in the South was under the presidency of of Syngman Rhee, whose openly declared aim was the imposition of national unity by force. The forces in the south consisted only of a lightly armed gendarmerie, lacking tanks, artillery and combat aircraft.
The tensions in Korean were only one part of rising political differences between East and West which would be defined as the Cold War.
Tensions on the 38th parallel had caused a number of incidents. This finally escalated into War when the North Koreans began an invasion of the South on 25th June 1950.
The North Korean Army advanced rapidly against the lightly equipped South Koreans. They pushed south, rapidly occupying much of Korea, their intent was to occupy the vital port of Pussan.
In response, America hurriedly despatched troops form the Army of Occupation in Japan. Under command of Colonel Smith, Task Force Smith deployed to Korea. The first engagement of American troops took place 5th July 1950 at Ossan and the port of Pussan remained in control of the South.
The deployment of more US Troops, plus troops directed by the United Nations led to the front being stabilised. In September 1950 the American lead forces launched an offensive, striking out of the bridgehead in the south and landing two divisions deep in occupied territory at Inchon.
The Offensive was a success. The North Koreans were not only pushed back North of the 38th Parallel, American and United Nation troops advanced deep into North Korea towards the Chinese Border.
In Peking the Chinese fearful of American intervention in China began a build of troops on the Korean Border. Over 200, 000 troops were secretly amassed and on 25th October 1950 the Chinese launched their offensive.
The attack took the American forces by surprise and they were forced back. A US counter offensive in November failed and the Americans were forced back to the 38th Parallel. Fighting continued through the first half of 1951, but a stalemate resulted .
Talks for an Armistice began 10th July 1951. The talks would drag on another two years and would result in borders being established on the 38th Parallel and a De-Militarised Zone between the 2 countries.
The Korean War involved United Nations troops from United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Turkey, Australia, Ethiopia, Philippines, New Zealand, Thailand, Greece, France, Colombia, Belgium, South Africa, Netherlands, and Luxembourg, in support of South Korean forces.
The losses for the UN Forces amounted to 178,405 dead and 32,925 missing and 566,434 wounded.
The attack took the American forces by surprise and they were forced back. A US counter offensive in November failed and the Americans were forced back to the 38th Parallel. Fighting continued through the first half of 1951, but a stalemate resulted .
Talks for an Armistice began 10th July 1951. The talks would drag on another two years and would result in borders being established on the 38th Parallel and a De-Militarised Zone between the 2 countries.
The Korean War involved United Nations troops from United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Turkey, Australia, Ethiopia, Philippines, New Zealand, Thailand, Greece, France, Colombia, Belgium, South Africa, Netherlands, and Luxembourg, in support of South Korean forces.
The losses for the UN Forces amounted to 178,405 dead and 32,925 missing and 566,434 wounded.