Historic Inchon Landing Operation Commemorated

leatherneck ^ | Sep 16 | Jin-woo

[Rabin]

On September 15, 1950 Joint Task Force Seven, with more than 320 warships including 4 aircraft carriers, carried the nearly 70,000 man strong force of X Corps into the dangerous tides of Inchon harbor. Preceded by heavy naval bombardment and under a blanket of fighting aircraft, led by the veteran 5th Marines, elements of the 1st Marine Division were landed 100 miles behind the North Korean lines and fought their way on to take Seoul, by 9/25. The newly reinforced 7th Infantry Division protected its flank. The stroke was decisive.

[Rabin]

Where Duty, Honor and Country are acknowledged,affirmed and commemorated. Although only 55 years have passed since the war happened, many people seem to have already forgotten it,… ``We should not forget the past since it greatly contributed to the establishment of the democratic and liberal society we live in.

[BobP]

INCHEON, Republic of Korea (Sept. 15, 2010) Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV) from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Republic of Korea (ROK) Marine Corps launch smoke grenades during a demonstration for the 60th anniversary of the Incheon Landing Operation. After 


INCHEON, Republic of Korea (Sept. 15, 2010) Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), embarked in USS Denver (LPD 9), exit the presentation area at the conclusion of an amphibious assault demonstration for the 60th anniversary of the Incheon Landing Operation. After Incheon, USS Denver (LPD 9) and embarked Marines from the 31st MEU will continue on a scheduled deployment in the Western Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Colby Drake/Released)

INCHEON, Republic of Korea (Sept. 15, 2010) A 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Marine, Capt. Mike Borneo, portrays General Douglas MacArthur during an amphibious assault demonstration for the 60th anniversary.

[Rabin]

Phea seems a bit off his meds this PM. One can only hope for improvements..

r

[InABunkerUnderSF]

Not looking for a flame war but would be interested to understand your sources and reasoning - especially since MacArthur put his favorite son Ned Almond in command of X Corp for the invasion.

[InABunkerUnderSF]

1. Please define “common military knowledge” in this context.
2. MacArthur actually thought that if he could defeat the DPRK army in North Korea that he could win the war on American terms. He refused to see the possibility that China would intervene. Even after Chinese prisoners were taken in late October, 1950 he wrote it off to “a few volunteers” and never suspected that he faced 20 Chinese divisions. After China invaded he wanted to press the war and defeat them but not until they had actually invaded Korea.

[ASOC]

Dude, check the cats join date - troll bait.

MAc made no secret of his desire to nuke China tho....

Once Gates gets rid of the Corps it won’t matter anyway.

[InABunkerUnderSF]

Inchon took place over 6 weeks before the first engagement with Chinese troops.

The Marines didn’t actually win but they survived and made it out - despite the best efforts of the Chinese army, Ned Almond and X Corp.

At that, I’ve never seen any documentary evidence that MacArthur was trying to start a nuclear war by killing off an American division - conversations in the men’s room of the Dai Ichi Building notwithstanding.

[InABunkerUnderSF]

But September 11 is a good day to join. :o)

Thanks.

[Seniram US]

The 1st Marine Division fought its way out with temperatures dropping as low as 40 degrees below zero. The
Chinese at one point during the withdrawal had given up trying to defeat the Marines and when the Marines moved out to rescue survivors of British Task Force Drysdale, Chinese actually came down from the hills and helped the Marines. This information is directly from Marine Corps historical Division and “The Korean War An Exhaustive Chronology, McFarland Publishing. One part:

” In the X Corps area, the final elements of the ¡st Marine
Division and attached units arrive in the
Hamhung–Hungnam sector to conclude the breakout
from Hagaru. The ¡st Marine Division casualties, since
it departed Koto-ri on 8 December, amount to 51killed
(24 die of wounds), 16 missing and 256 wounded. The
1st Marine Division, upon its arrival at Hungnam, had
reversed the Chinese plans. The overwhelming forces
thrown into the region to surround the Marines and
annihilate the division failed. Instead, the ¡st Marine
Division fought its way along a sixty-mile route, and
through the support of air cover, devastated the Chinese
forces it encountered.
The fighting withdrawal of the 1st Marine Division,
which was at the time unaware that it had been written
off by many in the United States, evolves as the
greatest achievement of a trapped American fighting
force in the history of the United States. Between six and
eight Chinese divisions were planted to wipe out the
Marines and they failed, while sustaining overwhelming
casualties that greatly impeded their ability to
mount a full scale invasion against Hungnam. The Chinese
up to this point have not yet attempted to collapse
the perimeter, which is defended by contingents
of the U.S. 3rd Division and the U.S. 7th Division.

[sean327]

You are refering to the march from the Chosin Resivior.
Inchon was indeed a victory for the Marine Corps.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

Please tell us more,,,IBTZ...

[Old Teufel Hunden]

Out of McCarthur’s long military career, the Inchon landing was his greatest stroke of brilliance. Even though he was a narcissistic bastard, he was a brilliant one and this was his most brilliant action. He turned the tide of the war with this one stroke. Many of the “experts” said a landing could not be made because of the tides in the flying fish channel.

For those that want to do away with the Marine Corps all the time, think about the power of the amphibious landing before you do. It’s one of the most brilliant tactical strategies that a commander can employ. Look how Schwartzkopf employed the feint of an amphibious landing and it tied up divisions of Iraqis.

For those talking about Chosin and the withdrawl back to Hugnam, may I suggest getting a copy of Bob Leckie’s book “March to Glory”. A great account of General Smith’s tactical withdrawl. Not sure if it’s in print anywhere but probably at libraries.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"My Father was onMacArthurs Staff during Korea, Mac was extremely pissed off at the Chinese for suprising him and almost throughing him out of Korea.....Teuman came close but would not use nukes.....this was a chance he took to get his way......Problem was the Marines did what they do best...They Won"

You need to re-consult your father (if he's still living) because at the time of the Inchon landing, there were no Chinese in the war yet. The enemy was North Korean's only. Yes, McCarthur did indeed get fired for his insubordination later in the war. Mainly due to him wanting to take the fight to the Chinese and use tactical nukes. Matt Ridgeway took over.