2nd Division (North Korea)
Encyclopedia
The 2nd Infantry Division was a military formation of the Korean People's Army
(North Korea) that fought during the Korean War
. It is uncertain when the unit was originally raised, however, it is believed to have been formed sometime between 1946 and 1947. It was officially activated at Naman in February 1948 under Major General Kang Kon with a total strength of 14,000 soldiers.
on 12 June 1950 and went into battle for the first time during the fighting around Chunchon on 26–27 June, where the artillery units were badly mauled by accurate counter-battery fire from artillery units of the Republic of Korea. During August and September, the Division fought in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter
before heavy losses forced it to be re-organised in November at Kanggye
. Losses were particularly bad for the Division’s artillery units, so much so that by December when the Division participated in the II Corps flanking action in the Hwach'on Sector it did so without any artillery pieces.
During the battles of attrition that followed further losses were suffered and as the UN forces slowly pushed the North Koreans back up the peninsula and by the time the Division reached the II Corps assembly area near Hoeyang a comprehensive re-organisation was undertaken. Between March and May 1951 the Division was brought up to strength through a large number of new recruits, as well as a receiving a large amount of new Soviet-type equipment.
In May 1951 the Division took part in a renewed North Korean offensive that took it to Hajinbu-ri. As UN forces began to respond with heavy artillery attacks, the Division was forced to withdraw in early June to the Inje Area. For the next few months the Division undertook defensive operations in the area, and as the tactical situation was stabilised, the North Koreans were able to bring the Division back up to authorised strength. Supplies were said to be plentiful in this time, although quality of ammunition remained problematic.
At this time the 2nd Artillery Regiment was detached from the Division to conduct a three month period of training at Hoeyang, whilst the Division’s rifle or infantry regiments received a certain amount of artillery pieces, including a number of regimental howitzers of the 76mm calibre.
Korean People's Army
The Korean People's Army , also known as the Inmin Gun, are the military forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim Jong-il is the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and Chairman of the National Defence Commission...
(North Korea) that fought during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. It is uncertain when the unit was originally raised, however, it is believed to have been formed sometime between 1946 and 1947. It was officially activated at Naman in February 1948 under Major General Kang Kon with a total strength of 14,000 soldiers.
Early Involvement in the Korean War
The Division’s artillery and other elements assembled near the 38th parallel38th parallel north
The 38th parallel north is a circle of latitude that is 38 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, Asia, the Pacific Ocean, North America, and the Atlantic Ocean...
on 12 June 1950 and went into battle for the first time during the fighting around Chunchon on 26–27 June, where the artillery units were badly mauled by accurate counter-battery fire from artillery units of the Republic of Korea. During August and September, the Division fought in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter
Battle of Pusan Perimeter
The Battle of Pusan Perimeter was a large-scale battle between United Nations and North Korean forces lasting from August 4 – September 18, 1950. It was one of the first major engagements of the Korean War...
before heavy losses forced it to be re-organised in November at Kanggye
Kanggye
Kanggye is the provincial capital of Chagang, North Korea and has a population of 209,000. Because of its strategic importance, derived from its topography, it has been of military interest from the time of the Joseon Dynasty .-Geography:...
. Losses were particularly bad for the Division’s artillery units, so much so that by December when the Division participated in the II Corps flanking action in the Hwach'on Sector it did so without any artillery pieces.
During the battles of attrition that followed further losses were suffered and as the UN forces slowly pushed the North Koreans back up the peninsula and by the time the Division reached the II Corps assembly area near Hoeyang a comprehensive re-organisation was undertaken. Between March and May 1951 the Division was brought up to strength through a large number of new recruits, as well as a receiving a large amount of new Soviet-type equipment.
In May 1951 the Division took part in a renewed North Korean offensive that took it to Hajinbu-ri. As UN forces began to respond with heavy artillery attacks, the Division was forced to withdraw in early June to the Inje Area. For the next few months the Division undertook defensive operations in the area, and as the tactical situation was stabilised, the North Koreans were able to bring the Division back up to authorised strength. Supplies were said to be plentiful in this time, although quality of ammunition remained problematic.
At this time the 2nd Artillery Regiment was detached from the Division to conduct a three month period of training at Hoeyang, whilst the Division’s rifle or infantry regiments received a certain amount of artillery pieces, including a number of regimental howitzers of the 76mm calibre.
Formation
The 2nd Division was made up of the following units:- 4th Infantry Regiment
- 5th Infantry Regiment (later transferred to the 4th Infantry Division)
- 6th Infantry Regiment
- 2nd Artillery Regiment
- 17th Infantry Regiment (replaced 5th Rifle Regiment)
See also
- 1st Division (North Korea)1st Division (North Korea)The 1st Infantry Division is a military formation of the Korean People's Army.It was part of the North Korean advance from Seoul to Taejon.Fought in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter....
- 3rd Division (North Korea)3rd Division (North Korea)The 3rd Infantry Division was a military formation of the Korean People's Army during the 20th Century.-Formation and composition:The exact date of formation is in dispute, but it occurred sometime between May 1947 and October 1948, at Pyongyang. In its organization, the 35d Division seemed to...
- 4th Division (North Korea)4th Division (North Korea)-History:The 4th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Korean People's Army during the 20th Century.Activated in late 1948, the 4th Infantry Division in the summer of 1950 consisted of the 5th, 16th, and 18th Infantry regiments, plus an artillery regiment and antitank, self-propelled...