Process of a southward invasion

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Past, Present & Future of DMZ

the Korean War (June 25, 1950)

Process of a southward invasion

Southward Invasion

Counterattack and marching north

The intervention of the Chinese Red Army and re-counterattack

The front line standstill battle and armistice

Southward Invasion

The North Korean army opened the southward invasion simultaneously at every front line crossing the 38th parallel at June 25, 1950, 04:00. This southward invasion operation of the North Korean army was to occupy Busan within 50 days and spread communization in the whole Korean Peninsula.At that time, the military power of the North Korean army was of 3 independent regiments, 1 tank brigade, 5 defense brigades, 10 infantry divisions, etc, with 191,680 soldiers, 4,700 marines and 2,000 air men, summing up to 198,380 men as total military power.

In those days the military power of the ROK forces was of 96,140 soldiers, 7,715 marines and 1,897 air men in 2 independent regiments and 8 infantry division. The total military power was 105,752 men. Among these, the ROK forces placed 4 divisions and 1 brigade at the front line area to perform front line defense mission. The remaining units were arranged at the communications zone to execute the liquidation of the communist guerrillas and the warning mission. At that time, the preparation for operation of the ROK forces was not ready for regular warfare.

After the 38th parallel was attacked, Seoul, Chuncheon, and Gangneung fell on the 28th of June. At July 4, the Han river line broke through and the army was withdrawn to Pyeongtaek.At this time, Wonju, at the central-front line, fell on July 2 and at the eastern line stalling operations were proceeding as Samcheok has fallen at July 4. Meanwhile, the dispatch of U.N forces was settled and as the member of the UN forces, the leading troop of U.S 24th infantry division arrived at Pyeongtaek. The ROK forces joined the UN forces and formed the united force at the line connecting Pyeongtaek-Jecheon-Uljin at July 4.

At this point, the U.S ground army was in charge of the western front, and the ROK forces took charge of the middle west and the eastern front. While the ROK and the UN forces went over these stalling tactics, 90% of the South Korean territory was lost. In the meantime the UN military headquarters was established and the right of command of the ROK forces was handed over to the UN military headquarters. Also the UN forces acquired marine and air superiority satisfying the operation command system and the operation basis of the UN forces for execution of the Korean War. During that time the ROK forces restored their military power on the level of prewar period and accumulated the essential combat experience. Moreover, at this period, the naval and air forces from U.S, England, Australia, Canada and the naval forces from France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, arrived at the Korean operation zone and the scale of the U.S ground army has reinforced into 2 regiments and 3 divisions. On the other hand, the North Korean army was showing a rapid decline of military power as the result of loss of military power in their continuous offensive actions.

The North Korean army, having advanced to the Nakdong river line, opened a river-crossing operation from August 5 in their last, full force and ventured on the 2 final attacks to occupy up to Busan on August and September. However their succeeding back-up was not available and finally around September their military power reached the limit unable to continue further attacks.

On the other side, the ROK forces and the U.N force secured predominance by continuous supports and the arrival of reinforcements. From this period the Korean army and the U.N forces acquired the leadership of the operation. Therefore, from then, the North Korean army faced the strong resistance of attack and failed to take over Daegu. At September 15, after 82 days of opening the attack, their scheme was frustrated by the all-out counterattack of the U.N forces.

Led by tanks and supported by artillerymen, the North Korean army opened an organized attack. The National army fought a bloody battle disregarding their own life, even performing suicide attacks in spite of the limited military forces and lack of equipments. However each line collapsed one by one.

Douglas C-54, a military transport plane id in fire after the aerial attack of the North Korean air forces. (1950. 6. 28). At this day Seoul and the Gimpo airport was handed over to the hands of the enemy. The U.S air force moved to the Daejeon airport (June 25, 1950, 13:00) and supported the Korean government.

The Soviet Union plane [Yak] which attacked the South Korean sky after securing the command of the air for few days following the Korean (6.25) war.North Korea restored the air force power with the IL-10 and [Yak]-9, etc, provided by Soviet Union from the end of 1948 till 1950. At the early period of southward invasion, these were what made the defense line of the ROK forces powerless. (1950.6.25 13:00)

The commanding officer supervising runaway soldiers and North Korean army waiting for the order to attack as they cross the 38th parallel on the southward invasion route. Their systematically planed surprise attack turned South Korea into a scene of tragic war. (1950.6.26)

The motorcycle unit of the North Korean army leading the southward invasion is coming down by the corner in Pocheon and Dongducheon direction. (1950.6.26~27)

The North Korean army infantry unit advancing to the south. Most North Korean soldiers following the main road to move southward were young boys. Under the idea of equal treatment among men and women, even women were sent to the front line.(1950.6.27, end of June, 1950)

Before the people of Seoul and the main army have evacuated. 2 railway bridges and footbridges were bombed on June 28, 1950. 7 thousand lb of explosives were used to cut-off 4 bridges. However among these; one single track railway bridge did not explode even after the B-29 bombing. (1950.6.28 02:30)

The communist army direction of attack

The North Korean infantry invading Seoul followed by the North Korean 105th tank brigade. The 9th regiment 3rd division of the North Korean army invaded Seoul first. (1950.6.28 afternoon)

A tank unit of the North Korean army entering the street of Seoul. They took over Seoul in 3 days through Uijeongbu, 40km far. At the time, the armored unit of the national army possessed only 27 armored cars and no tanks. (1950.6.28)

The Sidecar unit of the North Korean army entering to attack Miari. (1950.6.28)

The residents retiring to a safe place because of the southward invasion of the North Korean army. (1950. 6. 27) At this day the Korean government moved to the South and the enemy’s tank invaded the suburbs of Seoul.

The 8th division of the ROK forces desperately holding the North Korean army from crossing the Han river. Around June 28, 1950, which is the day Seoul has been occupied, the ROK forces reorganized about 500 soldiers put to rout from Seoul. At the 29th more military power were gathered to defend the Han river. The ROK forces went over 6 days of stalling battle. That was twice the 3 days strategically needed for the input of U.S ground army requested by the U.S army for the ROK forces to defend Han river. (1950.6.28~7.3)

Mc Arthur, general of the army flied from Japan and arrived at the Suwon airfield by his private plane ‘Batan’ to view the real state of the Korean war. He looked around the Han river line of defense. He plotted the landing operations to attack the enemy in the rear. (1950.6.30)

The 24th division 1st U.S occupation squadron in Japan boarding to support ROK(Republic of Korea) (1950. 7. 1)

Sturdy youths riding the train heading for the front line. ROK forces wearing shabby clothing. The soldiers standing at the middle front are armed with 30-Carbine caliber rifles. At this point the North Korean army has not reached the north side of Suwon. About 290 U.S army commanding division retired from Suwon. (1950. 7. 1)

Students that have voluntarily joined the army at the Reserve officers’ volunteer army are being trained.

The North Korean army made the wrong judgment on the progress of battle resulting on a mistake on the operation and finally was delayed for 3 days in Seoul. From July 2, 1950, they advanced to the South with scores of tanks taking advantage of the undestroyed Han river single track railway bridge. At last, the Han river defense line fell by the North Korean army crossing the river at July 3 and the chief executives of the national army moved the headquarters to Suwon. (1950.7.2)

1st division U.S ground army arriving in Korea. After taking airlift from Japan to Busan, they traveled by train at Daejeon (1950. 7. 3)

The ROK forces moving to the front line. They are armed with 6.5mm Japanese rifle and wear shoes that are made of cloth at the top (1950. 7. 5)

Resulting in the invasion of the North Korean army at June 25, 1950, people at Han river of the North form a long line moving South to escape from the claws of North Korea.

Full hand of rice that will please the hungry stomach for a while. It’s doubtful how many days this small amount of rice will hold one family but they smile, happy just by looking at the rice in front of their eyes. (1950.7)

The early stage of the Korean War. The women are making rice balls for the national army fighting against the Red army. Praying for victory they did all they could at the rear zone. (1950.7.)

The inhabitants taking refuge to escape from the North Korean army. The 1/4 ton truck that lays communication passes by. (1950. 7. 7)

A Barefooted boy that searched refuge carrying the A-frame on his back. There were many cases when the whole family set out together but lost each other on the way and finally was left alone. They, becoming dispersed families got parted from each other and sometimes met again afterwards. However even after several decades there are many situations where the family members have never met ever since and have no way of finding out the life and death of one another. (1950.7.27)

The enemy’s T-34 tank seized by the U.S ground army (1950. 7. 10)

The Daejeon city attacked by the North Korean army at July 20, 1950, 5:00 PM. North Korean army took the total offensive at July 19, 1950 by the 3rd division of front side Daepyeongli, 4th division that has gone around Nonsan and the 105th tank division that has moved the main force to Gongju.The U.S 24th division occupied Daejeon where the final defense line was set. (1950.7.20)

Soldiers urgently moving out to the front line. Although all they had were some worthless equipments and outdated rifles, they fought the enemy with the strong will to guard the country. (from the middle to the end of July 1950)

The M1917A1 Browning 30 Cal. machine gun. A soldier observing the enemy’s movement at the position. (1950. 7. 20)

3.5 inch rocket gun also called Super Bazooka- used at the battlefield. (1050. 7. 20). This rocket gun weighing nearly 15 lb (about 6.8kg) was used to destruct above ground targets and could be carried by separating into 2 parts (1950. 7.20)

6th division of the North Korean army which has sweep over the whole area of the Honam district marched toward Busan following from Suncheon to the South coast. They defeated the U.S 19th regiment 24th division at Hadong and Jinju and arrived at Masan at July 25, 1950. Meanwhile commander “Walker” of the “UN” forces has decided to open a counterattack operation at the foreground of Masan. He commanded the U.S 25th division commander general [William B Kean] to assign the U.S 1st marine brigade to advance to Jinju, Sacheon and secure the place. (1950.7.25)

The ROK forces being input to a new defense zone. Andong, Hamchang, Sangju region was handed over to the enemy on August 1, and continued defense at Yeongduk, Gigue, Daegu region.

Soldiers marching beside the enemy’s tank in fire attacked by the U.S army. You can see the second soldier carrying a flame projector. This flame projector contained 2 external fuel tanks that holds up to 5 gallons, 1 tub filled with compressed air or nitrogen at the center and a sprayer that allows 2-3minute spraying to the target. You can also see a marching soldier carrying a 3.5 inch rocket gun. (1950. 8)

The U.S army known to be invincible has fallen at Osan and Daejeon and went over repeated retreats. Finally the defense line has narrowed down to the place near Nakdong river. This defense line also called the ‘Busan bridgehead’ or ‘Walker line’ was the most important final defense line with no more steps back. The ROK forces were in charge of the northern region of the defense zone and formed the front line that connected the east and the west from Waegwan to the East coast. The U.S forces were in charge of the western zone as they stood against the People’s army at the line following Waegwan to Nakdong river and reaching the South coast.

Inhabitants taking refuge with luggage on their back. They wait for the ship that will take them from Gyeongnam Masan to the small island surrounding Busan. (1950. 9. 13)

The South gate of Suwon. After retaking Suwon, the U.N forces advanced on to the southeast of Doksandong-Anyang rapidly. The U.N naval vessels and aircraft carrier supported the ground army of U.N at the Seoul-Suwon region. (1950. 9. 22)

In spite of the tragedy of war a teacher gives lessons believing that the hopeful future of Korea will come someday if everyone is faithfully devoted to their own duty.Over 1million children who have lost their school by bombings sought for empty building lots to continue their school work.

At 1951 in the time of war, the Korean children are studying multiplication and division writing the answers down with their tiny hands at the classroom made of boards. There is no one who could deny the fact that they are the ones who established the developed Republic of Korea from the ruins of war.