Battle of Hoengsong

Battle of Hoengseong Part of the Korean War Date February 11–13, 1951 Location Hoengseong, South Korea Result Chinese victory[1][2] Belligerents  United Nations  United States  Netherlands  South Korea  China Commanders and leaders Matthew Ridgway Peng Dehuai Li Tianyou Units involved X Corps 8th Division 2nd Division 38th Infantry Division Dutch Battalion 13th Army 39th Corps 40th Corps 66th Corps Casualties and losses ROK: 9,844 casualties US: 726 killed[3] 1,900 casualties Total: 11,862 casualties[4] 4,121 casualties[5]

The Battle of Hoengsong was a battle during the Korean War. It took place between 11–15 February 1951. As part of the renewed Chinese assault on the UN strongholds in Korea, it was the first part of the CPVA Fourth Phase Offensive, and was fought between the Chinese and United Nations forces. The Chinese were victorious in this battle, having inflicted heavy casualties to the UNC forces in the two days of fighting. South Korean soldiers were ordered to lead the assault and the U.S. were ordered to support them, not lead the assault this time. Unfortunately, after the Chinese offensive began, retreating South Korean soldiers streamed south past U.S. support forces, allowing the Chinese to flank American positions. Soon, the Chinese owned the narrow, twisting valley north of Hoengsong and the road that ran through it, the only escape route. Hundreds of U.S. soldiers including field artillerymen, infantry, and logistics soldiers were killed by Chinese forces, resulting in one of the most lopsided defeats suffered by the U.S. military in the Korean War.^[6]

After being pushed back northward by UN Command's counteroffensives earlier during Operation Thunderbolt, the Communist forces halted the UN counterattack as well, temporarily regaining the initiative.

Popular culture

The battle was part of the scene in the Chinese movie Assembly, in which a team of Chinese artillery spotters target an American build-up of forces, which were then decimated after an artillery barrage.

References

1. Malkasian, Carter (2001). The Korean War. Osprey. pp. 38–40. ISBN 1-84176-282-2.
2. Time Magazine: Ambush at Hoengsong published May 12, 1951
3. http://www.landscaper.net/hoengsong.htm
4. http://www.history.army.mil/books/korea/ebb/ch14.htm
5. http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,805825,00.html
6. http://www.history.army.mil/books/korea/ebb/ch14.htm