2nd Infantry Division (South Korea)
Encyclopedia
The 2nd Infantry Division is a military formation of the Republic of Korea Army
(ROK Army). It was formed during the Korean War
and was part of the defensive line in the Third Battle of Seoul
.
It appears to have consisted of the 17th, 31st, and 32nd Regiments (Korean Wikipedia).
.
Beginning on December 26, 1950, Communist Chinese Forces struck hard at United Nations units on the western approaches to Seoul. Supporting attacks occurred as well in the central and eastern parts of the line. The Chinese hit the ROK units hard, and again several units broke. Two out of three regiments of the 2nd Division fled the battlefield, leaving the 17th Regiment to fight alone and hold its position for hours despite heavy losses. General Ridgway
reluctantly ordered a general, but orderly, withdrawal, with units instructed to maintain contact with the enemy during their retreat, rather than simply giving up real estate without inflicting losses on the enemy.
Republic of Korea Army
The Republic of Korea Army is the largest of the military branches of the South Korean armed forces with 520,000 members as of 2010...
(ROK Army). It was formed 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...
and was part of the defensive line in the Third Battle of Seoul
Third Battle of Seoul
The Third Battle of Seoul, also known as the Chinese New Year's Offensive, the January–Fourth Retreat or the Third Phase Campaign Western SectorThe Eastern Sector is the First and Second Battle of Wonju. , was a battle of the Korean War, which took place from December 31, 1950 to January 7, 1951...
.
It appears to have consisted of the 17th, 31st, and 32nd Regiments (Korean Wikipedia).
History
The 17th Infantry Participated in the Battle of Pusan PerimeterBattle 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...
.
Beginning on December 26, 1950, Communist Chinese Forces struck hard at United Nations units on the western approaches to Seoul. Supporting attacks occurred as well in the central and eastern parts of the line. The Chinese hit the ROK units hard, and again several units broke. Two out of three regiments of the 2nd Division fled the battlefield, leaving the 17th Regiment to fight alone and hold its position for hours despite heavy losses. General Ridgway
Matthew Ridgway
Matthew Bunker Ridgway was a United States Army General. He held several major commands and was most famous for resurrecting the United Nations war effort during the Korean War. Several historians have credited Ridgway for turning around the war in favor of the UN side...
reluctantly ordered a general, but orderly, withdrawal, with units instructed to maintain contact with the enemy during their retreat, rather than simply giving up real estate without inflicting losses on the enemy.