Battle of Pusan Perimeter order of battle
Encyclopedia
This is the order of battle
for United Nations
and North Korea
n forces during the Battle of Pusan Perimeter
in August and September, 1950 during the Korean War
. The engagement brought each side to muster substantial ground, air and see resources to fight across southeastern Korea.
The UN brought to bear hundreds of units from member countries South Korea
, the United States
, and the United Kingdom
. Several other nations augmented the large naval task forces with ships of their own, including Australia
, New Zealand
, Canada
, and The Netherlands. Opposing the UN force was the entirety of the North Korean military.
UN forces proved superior to the North Koreans in organization and numbers, but UN forces also suffered from a lack of equipment and training, particularly in their ground forces. As the battles around Pusan Perimeter continued, UN forces and equipment continued to flood into Korea, giving them overwhelming advantages in their land, air, and sea components. Though many nations would eventually contribute forces to the Korean War, the majority of troops at the battle were American and South Korean only.
North Korean forces were inferior to the UN forces in number, but in several cases they were able to make up for this in superior training. North Korean air and naval forces were small and poorly trained and equipped, thus playing a negligible role in the battle. However North Korean ground troops were often well trained and well equipped with modern weapons. The protracted battle around the perimeter severely depleted these troops forcing the North Koreans to rely increasingly on conscripts and replacements, diminishing their advantage in the battle and leading them to an eventual defeat.
The United Nations forces were organized under the command of the United States Army
. The Eighth United States Army served as the headquarters component for the UN forces, and was headquartered at Taegu. Under it were three weak US Divisions; the 24th Infantry Division was brought to the country early in July, while the 1st Cavalry Division and 25th Infantry Division arrived between July 14 and July 18. These forces occupied the western segment of the perimeter, along the Naktong river. The Republic of Korea Army
, a force of 58,000, was organized into two corps and five divisions; from east to west, ROK I Corps
controlled the 8th Infantry Division
and Capital Division
s, while the ROK II Corps
controlled the 1st Division
and 6th Infantry Division
. A reconstituted ROK 3rd Division
was placed under direct ROK Army control. Morale among the UN units was low due to the large number of defeats at that point in the war. US Forces had suffered over 6,000 casualties over the past month while the South Korean Army had lost an estimated 70,000.
Troop numbers at the beginning of the battle were initially difficult to estimate for US and North Korean forces. Subsequent research indicates that the North Korean army had around 70,000 combat troops committed to the Pusan Perimeter on August 5, with most of its divisions far understrength. It likely had less than 3,000 personnel in mechanized units, and around 40 T-34 tanks at the front due to extensive losses so far in the war. MacArthur reported 141,808 UN troops in Korea on August 4, of which 47,000 were in US ground combat units and 45,000 were in South Korean combat units. Thus the UN ground force outnumbered the North Koreans 92,000 to 70,000.
Throughout September 1950 as the battle raged, more UN forces arrived from the US and other locations. The 2nd Infantry Division, 5th Regimental Combat Team, and 1st Provisional Marine Brigade
and a British Army
brigade arrived in Pusan later in the fighting, along with large numbers of fresh troops and equipment, including over 500 tanks. By the end of the battle, Eighth Army's force had gone from three under-strength divisions to four fully manned formations which were well equipped and well prepared for war. By the end of the battle, the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade had arrived to assist the American and South Korean units.
Commander: Lieutenant General
Walton H. Walker
, but US Navy and US Marine Corps aviation played a substantial role in supporting operations from the sea. UN Forces had complete control of the air and sea throughout the fight. and US Air Force and US Navy elements provided support for the ground units throughout the battle virtually unopposed. By the end of the battle the Eighth Army had more air support than General
Omar Bradley
's Twelfth United States Army Group in Europe
during World War II.
By the end of July, the US had shipped a large number of aircraft of all types to Korea. On 30 July, the Far East Air Forces had 890 planes-626 F-80's and 264 F-51's-but only 525 of them were in units and available and ready for combat.
The Far East Air Force commanded a large contingent of long-range heavy bomber aircraft, and these assets were based in Japan, far from the North Koreans' striking range. Generally, the massive striking power was too unwieldy for the UN to use against the dispersed North Korean units, and the airpower of FEAF's B-29 Superfortresses was passed over in favor of smaller and more versatile fighter bombers of the Fifth Air Force. Under orders from MacArthur, however, the FEAF bomber command conducted one mission during the Pusan Perimeter fights. On August 16, in the midst of the fight around Taegu
, conducted one large carpet bombing
operation northwest of Waegwan
, where up to 40,000 North Korean troops were believed to be massing. The bombers from 10,000 feet dropped approximately 960 tons of 500- and 1,000-pound bombs. The attack had required the entirety of the FEAF bombing component, and they had dropped 3,084 500 pounds (226.8 kg) bombs and 150 1000 pounds (453.6 kg) bombs. This comprised the largest Air Force operation since the Battle of Normandy
in World War II.
General Walker reported to General MacArthur the next day that the damage done to the North Koreans by the bombing couldn't be evaluated because of smoke and dust, and ground forces couldn't reach it because of North Korean fire. Information obtained later from North Korean prisoners revealed the enemy divisions the Far East Command thought to be still west of the Naktong had already crossed to the east side and were not in the bombed area. No evidence was found that the bombing killed a single North Korean soldier. However, the bombing seems to have destroyed a significant number of North Korean artillery batteries. The UN ground and air commanders opposed future massive carpet bombing attacks against enemy tactical troops unless there was precise information on an enemy concentration and the situation was critical. Instead, they recommended fighter-bomber
s and dive bomber
s would better support ground forces. They subsequently canceled a second bombing of an area east of the Naktong scheduled for August 19.
Far East Air Force and 5th Air Force
, and two smaller carriers that supported Marine aircraft of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
. Carrier Air Group 5 was the only Carrier-based air wing in the Far East at the time of the outbreak of war. Many of the pilots operating these aircraft were World War II veterans, however budget cuts following the end of the war had greatly reduced their training and readiness in the months before the war. Early in the war, these aircraft were used primarily to conduct raids and gather intelligence on North Korean ground targets, focused on disrupting North Korean supply to the front lines. However, as soon as UN forces retreated to Pusan Perimeter following the Battle of Taejon
, the Naval aircraft were immediately re purposed for close-air support and airstrikes against North Korean ground troops on the front. These missions were significantly more risky and the aircraft suffered much higher losses due to North Korean ground fire.
The UN forces also had at their disposal a massive naval force of multi-national composition, which assisted in the defense of Pusan Perimeter at several crucial junctures. Ships of the fleet provided supporting artillery fire during pitched ground battles and provided a route of resupply and evacuation during other junctures. Multiple aircraft carriers provided bases for large contingents of aircraft that flew sorties and air strikes over North Korean ground forces. UN ships continued to stream into the theater during and after the Pusan Perimeter engagement, and they played varying roles in support of the battle. The fleet was split into three primary groups; Task Force 77 formed the primary Aircraft carrier and striking component of the fleet, Task Force 96 consisted of a variety of smaller ships concerned with coastal bombardment, and Task Force 90
formed an attack transport squadron to assist in the evacuation and movement of ground troops.
Overall command of the naval force was taken by the US Seventh Fleet, and the bulk of the naval power provided was also from the US. The United Kingdom also provided a small naval task force including an aircraft carrier and several cruisers. Eventually, Australia
, Canada
and New Zealand
provided ships as well. The Republic of Korea Navy
itself was almost negligible during the battle. The South Koreans had a very small navy consisting of a few dozen minesweepers
, LSTs, PT boats and other small craft donated to them by other UN member states. Compared to the larger UN fleet these craft played a very small role in the engagement, but North Korean naval ships, which were also very small, tended to target the ROK fleet more often.
Arthur D. Struble, Task Force 77 formed the core Carrier striking force of the UN forces. The force contained the UN aircraft carrier
s as well as a number of attendant escorts. The lineup of the escorts differed as ships were assigned roles in Task Force 96 during the course of the battle.
Task Force 96, under Vice Admiral C. Turner Joy
, was the largest organization of UN forces by number of ships. The force consisted primarily of cruiser
s, destroyers, and other smaller ships, which were used to blockade North Korean waterways and conduct coastal bombardments. Ships in this role would also periodically switch to Task Force 77, acting as a screen and escort for the UN aircraft carriers. This force was also the most diverse of the forces, as ships from five nations would eventually be assigned to it.
Task Force 90
, under Rear Admiral James H. Doyle, was primarily concerned with amphibious operations in the theater. As such, it contained no combat ships, only attack transports and a large number of LSTs. The force consisted entirely of US ships. At least 15 LSTs were assigned to the force during the battle to support the attack transports.
Additionally, a number of other combat ships were used to ferry weapons and supplies to the growing UN force during the battle. These ships were not deployed in a combat role in this battle, though some would later be moved to combat service later on in the war.
combined arms
force of ten divisions
, originally numbering some 90,000 well-trained and well-equipped troops in July, with hundreds of T-34
Tanks. However, defensive actions by US and South Korean forces had delayed the North Koreans significantly in their invasion of South Korea, costing them 58,000 of their troops and a large number of tanks. To recoup these losses, the North Koreans had to rely on less experienced replacements and conscripts, many of whom they took from the conquered regions of South Korea. During the course of the battle, the North Koreans raised a total of 13 infantry
divisions and one armored division to the fight at Pusan Perimeter.
From south to northeast, the North Korean units initially positioned opposite the UN units were the 83rd Motorized Regiment of the 105th Armored Division
and then the 6th
, 4th
, 3rd
, 2nd
, 15th
, 1st
, 13th
, 8th
, 12th
, and 5th
Divisions and the 766th Independent Infantry Regiment
.
controlled a very small force of around 50 or 60 ships, all of which were small ships. The navy possessed a few torpedo boat
s and gunboats among others, some of which were donated by the Soviet Union
, but these ships were no match for the UN naval forces. Following the Battle of Chumonchin Chan, a one-sided engagement in which UN forces ambushed and crushed a small North Korean flotilla
, North Korean ships generally avoided UN ships completely, leaving the UN naval forces virtually unopposed. North Korean torpedo boats may have conducted isolated attacks against similarly small South Korean ships but they did not oppose larger UN ships during the fight around the Pusan Perimeter. They could also not find resupply from Soviet or China
as neither had a large standing navy in the region. This is seen by historians as one of the largest disadvantages North Korea had during the battle, as it allowed the UN complete sea and air superiority.
At the start of the Korean War in July, the Korean People's Air Force consisted of about 150 combat aircraft. This force was a mixture of Russian-built models and generally were in poor maintenance and repair. Fighter aircraft
included Yakovlev Yak-7
s, Yak-3s and a few Yak-9s, 70 in total. They controlled a handful of Ilyushin Il-10
for air-to-surface combat, and used Polikarpov Po-2
biplanes for training. These craft were poorly maintained and their pilots were eager but mostly untrained. However, the North Korean ground forces had much more modern equipment, including Anti-aircraft
weapons and vehicles, which were more effective in threatening UN aircraft. North Korean aircraft engaged US aircraft in small, isolated dogfights throughout the battle, but the North Koreans were unable to muster a sufficient force of fighters to the front to seriously oppose the massive UN air component.
Order of battle
In modern use, the order of battle is the identification, command structure, strength, and disposition of personnel, equipment, and units of an armed force participating in field operations. Various abbreviations are in use, including OOB, O/B, or OB, while ORBAT remains the most common in the...
for United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
n forces during 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...
in August and September, 1950 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...
. The engagement brought each side to muster substantial ground, air and see resources to fight across southeastern Korea.
The UN brought to bear hundreds of units from member countries South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Several other nations augmented the large naval task forces with ships of their own, including Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and The Netherlands. Opposing the UN force was the entirety of the North Korean military.
UN forces proved superior to the North Koreans in organization and numbers, but UN forces also suffered from a lack of equipment and training, particularly in their ground forces. As the battles around Pusan Perimeter continued, UN forces and equipment continued to flood into Korea, giving them overwhelming advantages in their land, air, and sea components. Though many nations would eventually contribute forces to the Korean War, the majority of troops at the battle were American and South Korean only.
North Korean forces were inferior to the UN forces in number, but in several cases they were able to make up for this in superior training. North Korean air and naval forces were small and poorly trained and equipped, thus playing a negligible role in the battle. However North Korean ground troops were often well trained and well equipped with modern weapons. The protracted battle around the perimeter severely depleted these troops forcing the North Koreans to rely increasingly on conscripts and replacements, diminishing their advantage in the battle and leading them to an eventual defeat.
Ground
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. The Eighth United States Army served as the headquarters component for the UN forces, and was headquartered at Taegu. Under it were three weak US Divisions; the 24th Infantry Division was brought to the country early in July, while the 1st Cavalry Division and 25th Infantry Division arrived between July 14 and July 18. These forces occupied the western segment of the perimeter, along the Naktong river. The Republic of Korea Army
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...
, a force of 58,000, was organized into two corps and five divisions; from east to west, ROK I Corps
I Corps (South Korea)
I Corps was created July 24, 1950, just before the Battle of Pusan Perimeter.I Corps consisted of the 8th Infantry Division and the Capital Division....
controlled the 8th Infantry Division
8th Infantry Division (South Korea)
The 8th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Republic of Korea Army during the 20th Century.-History:The unit comprises the 10th, 16th and 21st Regiments. The 16th Infantry Regiment was originally activated as the 16th Regiment on October 28, 1948 at Masan and was first commanded by...
and Capital Division
Capital Division (South Korea)
The Capital Mechanized Infantry Division , also known as Tiger Division , is currently one of the five mechanized infantry divisions in the Republic of Korea Army...
s, while the ROK II Corps
II Corps (South Korea)
-History:II Corps was created July 24, 1950, just before the Battle of Pusan Perimeter.II Corps consisted of the 1st Division and 6th Infantry Division....
controlled the 1st Division
1st Infantry Division (South Korea)
The 1st Infantry Division is a military formation of the Republic of Korea Army's I Corps. The division was established on 12 May 1945 under the command of Colonel Suk-won Kim. It is based around three infantry regiments:The division was the first units of the ROK Army to be attacked by the North...
and 6th Infantry Division
6th Infantry Division (South Korea)
-History:The 6th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Republic of Korea Army during the 20th Century. The Division consisted of the 2nd, 7th, and 19th Regiments....
. A reconstituted ROK 3rd Division
3rd Infantry Division (South Korea)
-History:The 3rd Infantry Division is a unit of the Republic of Korea Army. First formed as the 3rd brigade on December 1, 1947. On December 24 1949, the division conducted Mungyeong massacre...
was placed under direct ROK Army control. Morale among the UN units was low due to the large number of defeats at that point in the war. US Forces had suffered over 6,000 casualties over the past month while the South Korean Army had lost an estimated 70,000.
Troop numbers at the beginning of the battle were initially difficult to estimate for US and North Korean forces. Subsequent research indicates that the North Korean army had around 70,000 combat troops committed to the Pusan Perimeter on August 5, with most of its divisions far understrength. It likely had less than 3,000 personnel in mechanized units, and around 40 T-34 tanks at the front due to extensive losses so far in the war. MacArthur reported 141,808 UN troops in Korea on August 4, of which 47,000 were in US ground combat units and 45,000 were in South Korean combat units. Thus the UN ground force outnumbered the North Koreans 92,000 to 70,000.
Throughout September 1950 as the battle raged, more UN forces arrived from the US and other locations. The 2nd Infantry Division, 5th Regimental Combat Team, and 1st Provisional Marine Brigade
1st Provisional Marine Brigade
The 1st Provisional Marine Brigade was a Marine infantry brigade of the United States Marine Corps that existed periodically from 1912 to 1950. It was an ad hoc unit formed for specific operations and therefore not considered a "permanent" USMC unit....
and a British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
brigade arrived in Pusan later in the fighting, along with large numbers of fresh troops and equipment, including over 500 tanks. By the end of the battle, Eighth Army's force had gone from three under-strength divisions to four fully manned formations which were well equipped and well prepared for war. By the end of the battle, the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade had arrived to assist the American and South Korean units.
US 8th Army
Eighth United States ArmyCommander: Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
Walton H. Walker
| Unit | Sub-units | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 1st Cavalry DivisionMajor General Hobart R. Gay Hobart R. Gay Lieutenant General Hobart Raymond Gay , nicknamed "Hap", was a United States Army general.-Early military career:... |
|
Reported a strength of 10,276 August 4 Stood at 14,703 by September 1. |
 2nd Infantry DivisionMajor General Laurence B. Keiser |
23rd Infantry Regiment (United States) The 23rd Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment in the United States Army originally formed on June 26th 1812. The 23rd saw action in 14 battles during the War of 1812... 38th Infantry Regiment (United States) The 38th Infantry Regiment is a United States Army infantry regiment.-First 38th Infantry Regiment:The 38th Infantry was first established on July 28, 1866, as part of the Regular Army, one of six segregated, all-black regiments created following the Civil War... |
Reported a strength of 4,922 in Korea on August 4 Stood at 17,498 by September 1. |
 24th Infantry DivisionMajor General John H. Church John H. Church Major General John H. Church was a U.S. Army officer who fought in World War I, World War II and in the Korean War.-Early Life:... |
19th Infantry Regiment (United States) The 19th Infantry Regiment is a United States Army infantry regiment which is assigned to the US Army Training and Doctrine Command, with the assignment of conducting Basic and Advanced Infantry Training.-Civil War:... 21st Infantry Regiment (United States) The 21st Infantry Regiment is a United States Army infantry regiment.-Lineage:*Constituted 3 May 1861 in the Regular Army as the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry*Organized 20 May 1862 at Fort Hamilton, New York... 34th Infantry Regiment (United States) The 34th Infantry Regiment is a Regular Army infantry regiment of the United States Army. It saw combat in World War I, in the Pacific Theater of Operations in World War II, and was the first full American regiment deployed in combat in the Korean War... 5th Infantry Regiment (United States) The 5th Infantry Regiment is the third-oldest infantry regiment of the United States Army, tracing its origins to 1808... |
Reported a strength of 14,540 August 4 Stood at 14,739 by September 1. |
 25th Infantry DivisionMajor General William B. Kean |
24th Infantry Regiment (United States) The 24th Infantry Regiment was a unit of the United States Army, active from 1869 until 1951, and again from 1995 until 2006. The regiment is notable for having a colorfully checkered history, with a record of mostly meritorious service and valorous combat performance interspersed with episodes of... 27th Infantry Regiment (United States) The 27th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the Wolfhounds, is a unit of the United States Army established in 1901, that served in the Philippine-American War, in the Siberian Intervention after World War I, and as part of the 25th Infantry Division during World War II, the Korean War, and later the... 35th Infantry Regiment (United States) The 35th Infantry Regiment was created on 1 July 1916 at Douglas, Arizona from elements of the 11th, 18th and 22nd Infantry Regiments. The 35th served on the Mexican Border during the First World War and was stationed at Nogales, Arizona in 1918... 29th Infantry Regiment (United States) The 29th Infantry Regiment is a unit of the United States Army first formed in 1813.-Establishment and early missions:The first 29th Infantry was constituted on 29 January 1813, and saw service in the War of 1812. Following this, the regiment was merged with the 6th Infantry... |
Reported a strength of 12,073 August 4 Stood at 15,007 by September 1. |
| 1st Provisional Marine Brigade 1st Provisional Marine Brigade The 1st Provisional Marine Brigade was a Marine infantry brigade of the United States Marine Corps that existed periodically from 1912 to 1950. It was an ad hoc unit formed for specific operations and therefore not considered a "permanent" USMC unit.... Brigadier General Brigadier general (United States) A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed... Edward A. Craig Edward A. Craig Edward A. Craig was a commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps, and a decorated combat veteran of World War II and the Korean War who eventually attained the rank of Lieutenant General. Craig is best known as the general who commanded the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade during its... |
1st Reconnaissance Battalion 1st Reconnaissance Battalion is a reconnaissance battalion in the United States Marine Corps. It falls under the command of the 1st Marine Division and the I Marine Expeditionary Force .... Military Intelligence Corps (United States Army) In the United States Armed Forces, Military Intelligence refers specifically to the intelligence components of the United States Army... Special Detachment (US Army) 1st Combat Engineer Battalion 1st Combat Engineer Battalion is a combat engineer battalion of the United States Marine Corps. The unit, nicknamed "The Super Breed", is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California and falls under the command of the 1st Marine Division and the I Marine Expeditionary... 1st Medical Battalion 1st Medical Battalion is a unit of the United States Marine Corps operated by the United States Navy that provides medical support to Marine Corps forces forward deployed to operations or humanitarian missions... 1st Tank Battalion The 1st Tank Battalion is an armor battalion of the United States Marine Corps which is based out of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California... |
Reported a strength of 4,725 on August 5. Stood at 4,290 by September 1. |
| 27th British Commonwealth Brigade 27th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom) The 27th Infantry Brigade was a British Army brigade during the Second World War and Korean War. In Korea, the brigade was known as 27th British Commonwealth Brigade due to the addition of Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and Indian units.... Brigadier Brigadier (United Kingdom) Brigadier is a senior rank in the British Army and the Royal Marines.Brigadier is the superior rank to Colonel, but subordinate to Major-General.... Basil Coad Basil Coad Major General Basil Aubrey Coad CB CBE DSO & Bar was a senior British Army officer. He held battalion, brigade and divisional commands during the Second World War and immediately after, but is best known as the commander of 27th British Commonwealth Brigade during the Korean War.After his... |
Middlesex Regiment The Middlesex Regiment was a regiment of the British Army. It was formed in 1881 as part of the Childers Reforms when the 57th and 77th Regiments of Foot were amalgamated with the county's militia and rifle volunteer units.On 31 December 1966 The Middlesex Regiment was amalgamated with three... Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.... 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars The 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars was a cavalry regiment in the British Army, first raised in 1693. It saw service for three centuries, before being amalgamated into The Queen's Royal Irish Hussars in 1958.... |
Arrived 26 August, having leaving one battalion in Hong Kong Hong Kong Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour... . Stood at 1,578 by September 1. |
ROK Army
 South Korea Republic of Korea ArmyRepublic 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... Minister of Defense: Shin Sung-mo Shin Sung-mo Shin Sung-mo was an acting prime minister in 1950 following the first prime minister of South Korea, Lee Beom-seok. He served as a Defence Minister during the Korean War.-References:... Chief of Staff: Major General Major General Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general... Chung Il-kwon |
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit | Commander | Sub-units | Notes | |||||||
| South Korea3rd Division 3rd Infantry Division (South Korea) -History:The 3rd Infantry Division is a unit of the Republic of Korea Army. First formed as the 3rd brigade on December 1, 1947. On December 24 1949, the division conducted Mungyeong massacre... |
Brigadier General Lee Jun Shik |
|
Reported directly to ROK Army command. Reported a strength of 8,829 on July 26. Stood at 7,154 September 1. | |||||||
| South KoreaI Corps |
Brigadier General Brigadier General Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000... Kim Hong Il |
Headquarters reported a strength of 3,014 on July 26. Stood at 1,275 September 1. | ||||||||
| South KoreaCapital Division Capital Division (South Korea) The Capital Mechanized Infantry Division , also known as Tiger Division , is currently one of the five mechanized infantry divisions in the Republic of Korea Army... |
Brigadier General Kim Suk Won |
|
Reported strength of 6,644 July 26. Stood at 16,376 September 1 | |||||||
| South Korea8th Division 8th Infantry Division (South Korea) The 8th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Republic of Korea Army during the 20th Century.-History:The unit comprises the 10th, 16th and 21st Regiments. The 16th Infantry Regiment was originally activated as the 16th Regiment on October 28, 1948 at Masan and was first commanded by... |
Colonel Lee Song Ga |
|
Reported strength of 8,864 July 26. Stood at 9,106 September 1. | |||||||
| South KoreaII Corps |
Brigadier General Yu Jae Hung | Headquarters reported a strength of 976 on July 26. Stood at 499 September 1. | ||||||||
| South Korea 1st Division 1st Infantry Division (South Korea) The 1st Infantry Division is a military formation of the Republic of Korea Army's I Corps. The division was established on 12 May 1945 under the command of Colonel Suk-won Kim. It is based around three infantry regiments:The division was the first units of the ROK Army to be attacked by the North... |
Brigadier General Paik Sun-yup |
|
Reported a strength of 7,601 on July 26. Stood at 10,482 September 1. | |||||||
| South Korea6th Division 6th Infantry Division (South Korea) -History:The 6th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Republic of Korea Army during the 20th Century. The Division consisted of the 2nd, 7th, and 19th Regiments.... |
Colonel Kim Chong O |
|
Reported a strength of 5,727 on July 26. Stood at 9,300 September 1. | |||||||
Air
UN forces had a massive arsenal of air support at their disposal, provided by the US Air Force. This support was provided primarily by the Far East Air Forces (FEAF) and the Fifth Air ForceFifth Air Force
The Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
, but US Navy and US Marine Corps aviation played a substantial role in supporting operations from the sea. UN Forces had complete control of the air and sea throughout the fight. and US Air Force and US Navy elements provided support for the ground units throughout the battle virtually unopposed. By the end of the battle the Eighth Army had more air support than General
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Omar Bradley
Omar Bradley
Omar Nelson Bradley was a senior U.S. Army field commander in North Africa and Europe during World War II, and a General of the Army in the United States Army...
's Twelfth United States Army Group in Europe
European Theater of Operations
The European Theater of Operations, United States Army was a United States Army formation which directed U.S. Army operations in parts of Europe from 1942 to 1945. It referred to Army Ground Forces, United States Army Air Forces, and Army Service Forces operations north of Italy and the...
during World War II.
By the end of July, the US had shipped a large number of aircraft of all types to Korea. On 30 July, the Far East Air Forces had 890 planes-626 F-80's and 264 F-51's-but only 525 of them were in units and available and ready for combat.
Battle of Taegu
The Battle of Taegu was an engagement between UN and North Korean forces early in the Korean War, with fighting continuing from August 5–20, 1950 around the city of Taegu, South Korea. It was a part of the Battle of Pusan Perimeter, and was one of several large engagements fought simultaneously...
, conducted one large carpet bombing
Carpet bombing
Carpet bombing is a large aerial bombing done in a progressive manner to inflict damage in every part of a selected area of land. The phrase invokes the image of explosions completely covering an area, in the same way that a carpet covers a floor. Carpet bombing is usually achieved by dropping many...
operation northwest of Waegwan
Waegwan
Waegwan is the seat of government for Chilgok County, North Gyeongsang province, South Korea. It consists primarily of the administrative district of Waegwan-eup. It is situated on both sides of the Nakdong River, which is traversed by railroad, automobile and pedestrian bridges.Waegwan is home...
, where up to 40,000 North Korean troops were believed to be massing. The bombers from 10,000 feet dropped approximately 960 tons of 500- and 1,000-pound bombs. The attack had required the entirety of the FEAF bombing component, and they had dropped 3,084 500 pounds (226.8 kg) bombs and 150 1000 pounds (453.6 kg) bombs. This comprised the largest Air Force operation since the Battle of Normandy
Battle of Normandy
The Invasion of Normandy was the invasion and establishment of Allied forces in Normandy, France, during Operation Overlord in World War II. It was the largest amphibious operation in history...
in World War II.
General Walker reported to General MacArthur the next day that the damage done to the North Koreans by the bombing couldn't be evaluated because of smoke and dust, and ground forces couldn't reach it because of North Korean fire. Information obtained later from North Korean prisoners revealed the enemy divisions the Far East Command thought to be still west of the Naktong had already crossed to the east side and were not in the bombed area. No evidence was found that the bombing killed a single North Korean soldier. However, the bombing seems to have destroyed a significant number of North Korean artillery batteries. The UN ground and air commanders opposed future massive carpet bombing attacks against enemy tactical troops unless there was precise information on an enemy concentration and the situation was critical. Instead, they recommended fighter-bomber
Fighter-bomber
A fighter-bomber is a fixed-wing aircraft with an intended primary role of light tactical bombing and also incorporating certain performance characteristics of a fighter aircraft. This term, although still used, has less significance since the introduction of rockets and guided missiles into aerial...
s and dive bomber
Dive bomber
A dive bomber is a bomber aircraft that dives directly at its targets in order to provide greater accuracy for the bomb it drops. Diving towards the target reduces the distance the bomb has to fall, which is the primary factor in determining the accuracy of the drop...
s would better support ground forces. They subsequently canceled a second bombing of an area east of the Naktong scheduled for August 19.
Far East Air Force and 5th Air ForceFifth Air ForceThe Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
 Far East Air ForcesCommander: Lieutenant General George E. Stratemeyer George E. Stratemeyer Lieutenant General George Edward Stratemeyer was World War II chief of Air Staff and United States Air Force Far East Air Forces commander during the first year of the Korean War.-Early career:... |
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| Unit | Sub-units | Aircraft | Notes | |||||||
| 19th Bombardment Group |
|
B-29 Superfortress | ||||||||
| 22nd Bombardment Group |
|
B-29 Superfortress | ||||||||
 92nd Bombardment Group |
326th Bombardment Squadron The 326th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 4141st Strategic Wing, stationed at Glasgow Air Force Base, Montana. It was inactivated on 1 February 1963.-World War II:... 327th Bombardment Squadron The 327th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 4170th Strategic Wing, stationed at Larson Air Force Base, Washington. It was inactivated on 1 February 1963-World War II:... |
B-29 Superfortress | ||||||||
| 98th Bombardment Group |
|
B-29 Superfortress | ||||||||
 307th Bombardment Group307th Bombardment Group The 307th Air Refueling Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 47th Air Division, stationed at Travis Air Force Base, California... |
371st Bombardment Squadron The 371st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 307th Bombardment Wing, based at Lincoln AFB, Nebraska. It was deactivated on 25 March 1965-History:... |
B-29 Superfortress | ||||||||
 8th Fighter Group |
35th Fighter Squadron The 35th Fighter Squadron is part of the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea.-History:The 35th Fighter Squadron heritage dates back to 12 June 1917, when the unit activated as the 35th Aero Squadron. Originally an aircraft maintenance squadron, the unit served in France from... 36th Fighter Squadron The 36th Fighter Squadron is part of the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base, South Korea. It operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting air superiority missions.-Mission:... 80th Fighter Squadron The 80th Fighter Squadron is an F-16 fighter squadron of the United States Air Force, currently part of the 8th Operations Group of the 8th Fighter Wing, and stationed at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea.The 80th has served in combat operations in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam... |
F-80 Shooting Star, F-82 Twin Mustang F-82 Twin Mustang The North American F-82 Twin Mustang was the last American piston-engine fighter ordered into production by the United States Air Force. Based on the P-51 Mustang, the F-82 was originally designed as a long-range escort fighter in World War II; however, the war ended well before the first... |
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| 35th Fighter Group |
|
F-82 Twin Mustang, F-94 Starfire, F-86 Sabre F-86 Sabre The North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War... |
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| 49th Fighter Group |
7th Fighter Squadron The 7th Fighter Squadron is part of the 49th Fighter Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.-Mission:The 7th Fighter Squadron as a part of the 49th Operations Group supports national security objectives, as directed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, by utilizing the F-22A Raptor aircraft.The 7 FS... 8th Fighter Squadron The 8th Fighter Squadron was part of the 49th Fighter Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. It operated the F-22A Raptor, having previously operated the F-117 Nighthawk aircraft from 1992 until the squadron's inactivation on May 16, 2008... 9th Fighter Squadron The 9th Fighter Squadron was part of the 49th Fighter Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. It operated the F-117 Nighthawk aircraft conducting air superiority missions... |
F-80 Shooting Star, F-86 Sabre | ||||||||
 543d Tactical Support Group543d Tactical Support Group The 543d Tactical Support Group was a United States Air Force unit that fought in the Korean War. The unit was attached to Far East Air Forces Fifth Air ForceOperational Units:* 8th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic... |
45th Reconnaissance Squadron The 45th Reconnaissance Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 55th Operations Group and stationed at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.-Overview:... |
RB-26 Invader, RF-80A Shooting Star, RF-51D Mustang | ||||||||
 31st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron |
RB-29 Superfortress | |||||||||
| 6204th Photo Mapping Flight 6204th Photo Mapping Flight The 6204th Photo Mapping Flight was a United States Air Force unit that fought in the Korean War. The unit was attached to Far East Air Forces Fifth Air Force... |
RB-17G Flying Fortress | |||||||||
Naval aircraft
The US Navy and Marine Corps aviation elements came to bear against the North Korean forces from five carriers during the battle: USS Valley Forge with Carrier Air Group 5, USS Philippine Sea with Carrier Air Group 11, HMS Triumph with two squadrons of the Fleet Air ArmFleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
, and two smaller carriers that supported Marine aircraft of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
1st Marine Aircraft Wing
The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing is an aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps that serves as the Aviation Combat Element of the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The wing is headquartered at Camp Foster on the island of Okinawa, Japan...
. Carrier Air Group 5 was the only Carrier-based air wing in the Far East at the time of the outbreak of war. Many of the pilots operating these aircraft were World War II veterans, however budget cuts following the end of the war had greatly reduced their training and readiness in the months before the war. Early in the war, these aircraft were used primarily to conduct raids and gather intelligence on North Korean ground targets, focused on disrupting North Korean supply to the front lines. However, as soon as UN forces retreated to Pusan Perimeter following the Battle of Taejon
Battle of Taejon
The Battle of Taejon was an early battle between United States and North Korean forces during the Korean War. Forces of the United States Army, attempting to defend the headquarters of the 24th Infantry Division were overwhelmed by numerically superior forces of the Korean People's Army at the...
, the Naval aircraft were immediately re purposed for close-air support and airstrikes against North Korean ground troops on the front. These missions were significantly more risky and the aircraft suffered much higher losses due to North Korean ground fire.
| Unit | Sub-units | Notes |
|---|---|---|
  Carrier Air Group 5 |
|
Based on USS Valley Forge |
 Carrier Air Group 11 |
VF-111 Fighter Squadron 111 , also known as the Sundowners, was the designation held by two U.S. Navy fighter squadrons from 1942 to 1995. The first squadron, initially designated VF-11, served as an active Pacific Fleet Fighter Squadron until its disestablishment in 1959. At that time, another squadron... (F9F Panther) VF-114 Fighter Squadron 114 was a fighter squadron of the United States Navy that was active from 1945 through 1993. Nicknamed the "Aardvarks", it was based out of Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The squadron flew combat missions during the Korean War and Vietnam War... (F4U-4B Corsair) |
Based on USS Philippine Sea |
| 13th Carrier Air Group (Fleet Air Arm Fleet Air Arm The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters... ) |
Fairey Firefly The Fairey Firefly was a British Second World War-era carrier-borne fighter aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm .... and Supermarine Seafire Supermarine Seafire The Supermarine Seafire was a naval version of the Supermarine Spitfire specially adapted for operation from aircraft carriers. The name Seafire was arrived at by collapsing the longer name Sea Spitfire.-Origins of the Seafire:... ) 827 Naval Air Squadron 827 Naval Air Squadron was an aircraft squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm during World War II. It operated Fairey Barracudas starting in May 1943, becoming the first squadron to receive Barracudas in any substantial number.... (Fairey Firefly and Supermarine Seafire) |
Based on HMS Triumph |
 Marine Aircraft Group 33Marine Aviation Training Support Group 33 Marine Aviation and Training Support Group 33 is a United States Marine Corps aviation training group that was originally established during World War II as Marine Aircraft Group 33... |
F7F Tigercat The Grumman F7F Tigercat was the first twin-engined fighter aircraft to enter service with the United States Navy. Designed for the new Midway-class aircraft carriers, the aircraft were too large to operate from earlier decks. Although delivered to United States Marine Corps combat units before... ) VMO-6 Marine Observation Squadron 6 was an observation squadron of the United States Marine Corps which saw extensive action during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II and the Korean War and Vietnam War. The squadron would become the first Marine Corps helicopter squadron to participate in combat... (OY-2 Observation craft and HO3S1 Helicopter Sikorsky H-5 The Sikorsky H-5, is a helicopter built by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, formerly used by the United States Air Force, and its predecessor, the United States Army Air Forces, as well as the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard The Sikorsky H-5, (aka R-5, S-51, HO3S-1, or Horse) (R-5... ) |
Part of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing 1st Marine Aircraft Wing The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing is an aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps that serves as the Aviation Combat Element of the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The wing is headquartered at Camp Foster on the island of Okinawa, Japan... . Based on USS Badoeng Strait USS Badoeng Strait (CVE-116) USS Badoeng Strait was an of the United States Navy during the Korean War.She was named after the Badung Strait, located between the Indonesian islands of Bali and Nusa Besar, which was the site of a World War II battle in February 1942, between American–Netherlands and Japanese naval forces.San... and USS Sicily USS Sicily (CVE-118) USS Sicily was a in the United States Navy. She was named in honor of the island of Sicily, which was the site of a major invasion during World War II. Sicily was laid down on 23 October 1944 by Todd-Pacific Shipyards, Tacoma, Washington, as Sandy Bay; launched on 14 April 1945; sponsored by Mrs... |
Sea
Task Force 90
Task Force 90 was a United States Navy command during the Korean War that controlled the amphibious forces in theatre. It reported directly to Commander Naval Forces Far East. Its most high profile operation was the Incheon amphibious assault, Operation Chromite.It was later active during Operation...
formed an attack transport squadron to assist in the evacuation and movement of ground troops.
Overall command of the naval force was taken by the US Seventh Fleet, and the bulk of the naval power provided was also from the US. The United Kingdom also provided a small naval task force including an aircraft carrier and several cruisers. Eventually, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
provided ships as well. The Republic of Korea Navy
Republic of Korea Navy
The Republic of Korea Navy or the ROK Navy is the branch of the South Korean armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations and amphibious landing operations. The ROK Navy includes the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, which is a quasi-autonomous organization...
itself was almost negligible during the battle. The South Koreans had a very small navy consisting of a few dozen minesweepers
Minesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
, LSTs, PT boats and other small craft donated to them by other UN member states. Compared to the larger UN fleet these craft played a very small role in the engagement, but North Korean naval ships, which were also very small, tended to target the ROK fleet more often.
US 7th Fleet
Under Vice AdmiralVice Admiral
Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral...
Arthur D. Struble, Task Force 77 formed the core Carrier striking force of the UN forces. The force contained the UN aircraft carrier
Aircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
s as well as a number of attendant escorts. The lineup of the escorts differed as ships were assigned roles in Task Force 96 during the course of the battle.
| Ship name | Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USS Valley Forge (CV-45) USS Valley Forge (CV-45) USS Valley Forge was one of 24 s built during and shortly after World War II for the United States Navy. The ship was the first US Navy ship to bear the name, and was named for Valley Forge, the 1777–1778 winter encampment of General George Washington's Continental Army... |
Essex-class aircraft carrier Essex class aircraft carrier The Essex class was a class of aircraft carriers of the United States Navy, which constituted the 20th century's most numerous class of capital ships with 24 vessels built in both "short-hull" and "long-hull" versions. Thirty-two were originally ordered; however as World War II wound down, six were... |
Arrived in theater in early July with Carrier Air Group 5. |
| USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) USS Philippine Sea was one of 24 s built during and shortly after World War II for the United States Navy. The ship was the first US Navy ship to bear the name, and was named for the 1944 Battle of the Philippine Sea. Philippine Sea was commissioned in May 1946, too late to serve in World War II... |
Essex-class aircraft carrier | Arrived in theater August 5 with Carrier Air Group 11. Served as Task Force 77 flagship. |
| HMS Triumph (R16) HMS Triumph (R16) HMS Triumph was a Royal Navy Colossus-class light fleet aircraft carrier. She served in the Korean War and later, after reconstruction, as a support ship.-Construction and commission:... |
Colossus-class aircraft carrier 1942 Design Light Fleet Carrier The 1942 Design Light Fleet Carrier, commonly referred to as the British Light Fleet Carrier, was a light aircraft carrier design created by the Royal Navy during World War II, and used by eight naval forces between 1944 and 2001... |
1st Aircraft Carrier Squadron, Far East Fleet. Arrived in theater July 1 with two squadrons of UK Fleet Air Arm. |
| USS Badoeng Strait (CVE-116) USS Badoeng Strait (CVE-116) USS Badoeng Strait was an of the United States Navy during the Korean War.She was named after the Badung Strait, located between the Indonesian islands of Bali and Nusa Besar, which was the site of a World War II battle in February 1942, between American–Netherlands and Japanese naval forces.San... |
Commencement Bay-class escort carrier Commencement Bay class escort carrier The Commencement Bay-class escort aircraft carriers were based on the Maritime Commission T3 type tanker hull, which gave them a displacement of approximately 23,000 tons and a length of 557 feet... |
|
| USS Sicily (CVE-118) USS Sicily (CVE-118) USS Sicily was a in the United States Navy. She was named in honor of the island of Sicily, which was the site of a major invasion during World War II. Sicily was laid down on 23 October 1944 by Todd-Pacific Shipyards, Tacoma, Washington, as Sandy Bay; launched on 14 April 1945; sponsored by Mrs... |
Commencement Bay-class escort carrier | |
| USS Rochester (CA-124) USS Rochester (CA-124) The third USS Rochester , an , was laid down 29 May 1944 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Quincy, Mass.; launched 28 August 1945; sponsored by Mrs. M. Herbert Eisenhart, wife of the president of Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Rochester, N.Y.; and commissioned 20 December 1946 at the Boston Navy Yard, Capt... |
Oregon City-class heavy cruiser | |
| USS Saint Paul (CA-73) USS Saint Paul (CA-73) USS Saint Paul , a Baltimore-class cruiser, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for St. Paul, Minnesota.... |
Baltimore-class heavy cruiser Baltimore class cruiser The Baltimore class cruiser was a type of heavy cruiser in the United States Navy from the last years of the Second World War. Fast and heavily armed, ships like the Baltimore cruisers were mainly used by the Navy in World War II to protect the fast aircraft carriers in carrier battle groups... |
|
| USS Manchester (CL-83) USS Manchester (CL-83) USS Manchester , a Cleveland class light cruiser of the United States Navy, was laid down 25 September 1944 by the Fore River Shipyard, Bethlehem Steel Corp., Quincy, Mass.; launched 5 March 1946; sponsored by Mrs. Ernest J. Gladu; and commissioned 29 October 1946, Capt. Peter G... |
Cleveland-class light cruiser Cleveland class cruiser The United States Navy designed the Cleveland class of light cruisers for World War II with the goal of increased range and AA armament as compared with earlier classes.A total of 52 ships of this class were projected and 3 canceled... |
|
| USS Worcester (CL-144) USS Worcester (CL-144) The second USS Worcester was laid down on 29 January 1945 at Camden, New Jersey, by the New York Shipbuilding and Drydock Corp.; launched on 4 February 1947; sponsored by Miss Gloria Ann Sullivan, the daughter of Mayor and Mrs. F. G. Sullivan of Worcester, Mass.; and commissioned at the... |
Worcester-class light cruiser Worcester class cruiser The Worcester class was a class of light cruisers used by the United States Navy, laid down in 1945 and commissioned in 1948-49. They and their contemporaries the heavy cruisers were the last all-gun cruisers built for the US Navy... |
|
| HMS Ceylon (C30) | Crown Colony-class light cruiser Crown Colony class cruiser The Crown Colony-class light cruisers of the Royal Navy were named after Crown Colonies of the British Empire. The first eight are known as the Fiji class, while the last three to be built are commonly referred to as the Ceylon class and were built to a slightly modified design.-Design:They were... |
Arrived in theater August 29. |
| HMS Belfast (C35) HMS Belfast (C35) HMS Belfast is a museum ship, originally a Royal Navy light cruiser, permanently moored in London on the River Thames and operated by the Imperial War Museum.... |
Town-class light cruiser Town class cruiser (1936) The Town-class was a 10-ship class of light cruisers of the Royal Navy. The Towns were designed to the constraints imposed by the London Naval Treaty of 1930.... |
Arrived in theater July 1. |
| USS Hollister (DD-788) USS Hollister (DD-788) USS Hollister was a of the United States Navy, named for the three Hollister brothers, who were killed in 1943 while serving in the Navy during World War II.... |
Gearing-class destroyer Gearing class destroyer The Gearing class was a group of 98 destroyers built for the US Navy during and shortly after World War II. The Gearing design was a minor modification of the immediately preceding Allen M. Sumner class... |
|
| USS Borie (DD-704) USS Borie (DD-704) The USS Borie , an , was the 2nd ship of the United States Navy to be named for Adolph E. Borie, Secretary of the Navy under President Ulysses S. Grant.-Construction:... |
Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer Allen M. Sumner class destroyer The Allen M. Sumner class was a group of 58 destroyers built by the United States during World War II. Another twelve ships were completed as destroyer minelayers... |
|
| USS John A. Bole (DD-755) USS John A. Bole (DD-755) USS John A. Bole , an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Lieutenant Commander John Archibald Bole, Jr., who was the commanding officer of which is thought to be lost on 16 February 1943.John A. Bole was renamed on 15 June 1944 prior to... |
Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer | |
| USS Taussig (DD-746) USS Taussig (DD-746) USS Taussig , an , was named for Edward D. Taussig, a Rear Admiral of the United States Navy whose career spanned over 50 years. The ship was laid down on 30 August 1943 at Staten Island, New York, by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; launched on 25 January 1944; sponsored by Miss... |
Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer | Arrived in theater July 2010 |
| USS Doyle (DMS-34) |
Gleaves-class destroyer Gleaves class destroyer The Gleaves-class destroyers were a class of 66 destroyers of the United States Navy built 1938–1942, and designed by Gibbs & Cox. The first ship of the class was the USS Gleaves . The U.S. Navy customarily names a class of ships after the first ship of the class; hence the Gleaves class... |
|
| USS Endicott (DD-495) USS Endicott (DD-495) USS Endicott , a Gleaves-class destroyer, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Samuel Endicott, who served as a quarter gunner on board Enterprise in the Barbary Wars. He volunteered to participate in the expedition under Lieutenant Stephen Decatur, Jr., which destroyed the... |
Gleaves-class destroyer | |
| USS Eversole (DD-789) USS Eversole (DD-789) USS Eversole was a of the United States Navy, the second Navy ship named for Lieutenant John T. Eversole , a naval aviator who was killed in the Battle of Midway.... |
Gearing-class destroyer | |
| USS George K. MacKenzie (DD-836) USS George K. MacKenzie (DD-836) USS George K. MacKenzie was a of the United States Navy, named for Lieutenant Commander George K. MacKenzie .George K. MacKenzie was launched on 13 May 1945 by the Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine; sponsored by Miss Donna MacKenzie, daughter; and commissioned on 13 July 1945, Commander Alvin W... |
Gearing-class destroyer | |
| USS Gurke (DD-783) USS Gurke (DD-783) USS Gurke was a Gearing-class destroyer of the United States Navy, named for United States Marine Corps Private Henry Gurke , who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.... |
Gearing-class destroyer | |
| USS Hamner (DD-718) USS Hamner (DD-718) USS Hamner was a in the United States Navy during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. She was named for Henry Rawlings Hamner.Hamner was launched on 24 November 1945 by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Port Newark, New Jersey; sponsored by Mrs. Henry Rawlings Hamner, wife of Lt.... |
Gearing-class destroyer | |
| USS Henderson (DD-785) USS Henderson (DD-785) USS Henderson was a of the United States Navy, the second Navy ship of that name, and the first named for United States Marine Corps Major Lofton R. Henderson... |
Gearing-class destroyer | Arrived in theater August 19 |
| USS Herbert J. Thomas (DD-833) USS Herbert J. Thomas (DD-833) USS Herbert J. Thomas was a of the United States Navy. Named for Sergeant Herbert Joseph Thomas Jr., USMC, she was laid down on 30 October 1944 by Bath Iron Works Corporation, Bath, Maine; launched on 25 March 1945; sponsored by Miss Audrey Irene Thomas, sister of Sergeant Thomas; and... |
Gearing-class destroyer | Arrived in theater July 1950 |
| USS Higbee (DDR-806) USS Higbee (DD-806) USS Higbee was a in the United States Navy during World War II. She was the first US warship named for a female member of the U.S. Navy, being named for Chief Nurse Lenah S. Higbee , a pioneering Navy nurse who served as Superintendent of the U.S... |
Gearing-class destroyer | Arrived in theater June 1950 |
| USS Ozbourn (DD-846) USS Ozbourn (DD-846) USS Ozbourn was a Gearing-class destroyer in the United States Navy during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. She was named for Marine Private Joseph W... |
Gearing-class destroyer | Arrived in theater August 1950 |
| USS Wiltsie (DD-716) USS Wiltsie (DD-716) USS Wiltsie was a in the United States Navy. She was named for Irving Wiltsie.Wiltsie was laid down on 13 March 1945 at Port Newark, New Jersey, by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company; launched on 31 August 1945; sponsored by Mrs. Irving D. Wiltsie, the widow of Capt... |
Gearing-class destroyer | Arrived in theater August 1950 |
| USS Fletcher (DDE-445) USS Fletcher (DD-445) USS Fletcher , named for Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher, was the lead Fletcher-class destroyer, and served in the Pacific during World War II. She received fifteen battle stars for World War II service, and five for Korean War service.... |
Fletcher-class destroyer Fletcher class destroyer The Fletcher class were a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. The class was designed in 1939 as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types... |
Arrived in theater July 3. |
| HMS Cossack (R57) HMS Cossack (R57) HMS Cossack was a Royal Navy C-class destroyer launched on 10 May 1944.She saw action at the Battle of Pusan Perimeter during the Korean War. On 18 May 1951, Cossack intercepted off Hainan, China. The ship was carrying a cargo of rubber bound for a Chinese port in contravention of a United Nations... |
C-class destroyer C class destroyer (1943) The C class was a class of 32 destroyers of the Royal Navy that were launched from 1943 to 1945. The class was built in four flotillas of 8 vessels, the Ca, Ch, Co and Cr classes, ordered as the 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th Emergency Flotillas respectively... |
Arrived in theater June 29. |
| HMS Consort (R76) HMS Consort (R76) HMS Consort was a C-class destroyer of the Royal Navy, launched on 19 October 1944 and commissioned on 19 March 1946.She lost 49 crew whilst berthed at Nanking in 1949 when she was attacked by the Chinese... |
C-class destroyer | Arrived in theater June 29. |
| HMS Unicorn (I72) HMS Unicorn (I72) HMS Unicorn was a aircraft repair ship and light aircraft carrier built for the Royal Navy in the late 1930s. She was completed during World War II and provided air cover over the amphibious landing at Salerno, Italy in September 1943. The ship was transferred to the Eastern Fleet in the Indian... |
Unicorn-class | 1st Aircraft Carrier Squadron, Far East Fleet. Arrived in theater August 29. Although able to operate as an aircraft carrier, she served in her usual role as an aircraft repair and maintenance carrier and was not actively engaged in combat. |
Task Force 96, under Vice Admiral C. Turner Joy
C. Turner Joy
Vice Admiral Charles Turner Joy was an admiral of the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean War. During the last years of his career, he served as Superintendent of the Naval Academy. The destroyer USS Turner Joy was named for him.-Early life and career, through World War I:C....
, was the largest organization of UN forces by number of ships. The force consisted primarily of cruiser
Cruiser
A cruiser is a type of warship. The term has been in use for several hundreds of years, and has had different meanings throughout this period...
s, destroyers, and other smaller ships, which were used to blockade North Korean waterways and conduct coastal bombardments. Ships in this role would also periodically switch to Task Force 77, acting as a screen and escort for the UN aircraft carriers. This force was also the most diverse of the forces, as ships from five nations would eventually be assigned to it.
| Ship name | Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USS Helena (CA-75) USS Helena (CA-75) The USS Helena , a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for the city of Helena, Montana. She was named Helena while building after the cancellation of CL-113.... |
Baltimore-class heavy cruiser | |
| USS Juneau (CL-119) USS Juneau (CL-119) The second USS Juneau was the lead ship of the United States Navy Juneau-class light cruiser laid down by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Kearny, New Jersey on 15 September 1944; launched on 15 July 1945; sponsored by Mrs. B. L. Bartlett; and commissioned 15 February 1946, Captain... |
Atlanta-class light cruiser Atlanta class cruiser The Atlanta-class cruisers were United States Navy light cruisers originally designed as fast scout cruisers or flotilla leaders, but later proved to be effective anti-aircraft cruisers during World War II. They were also known as the Atlanta-Oakland class. The lead ship Atlanta was sunk in action... |
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| HMS Jamaica (C44) | Crown Colony-class light cruiser Crown Colony class cruiser The Crown Colony-class light cruisers of the Royal Navy were named after Crown Colonies of the British Empire. The first eight are known as the Fiji class, while the last three to be built are commonly referred to as the Ceylon class and were built to a slightly modified design.-Design:They were... |
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| HMS Kenya (C14) | Crown Colony-class light cruiser | Arrived in theater June 30. |
| HMS Belfast (C35) HMS Belfast (C35) HMS Belfast is a museum ship, originally a Royal Navy light cruiser, permanently moored in London on the River Thames and operated by the Imperial War Museum.... |
Town-class light cruiser | Flagship of 1st Aircraft Carrier Squadron, Far East Fleet. Arrived in theater June 31. |
| USS De Haven (DD-727) USS De Haven (DD-727) USS De Haven , an , was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Lieutenant Edwin J. De Haven. De Haven served aboard the , flagship of the Wilkes Expedition, officially known as the United States Exploring Expedition, from 1839 to 1842. De Haven also served in the Mexican-American... |
Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer | |
| USS Mansfield (DD-728) USS Mansfield (DD-728) USS Mansfield , an , is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Sergeant Duncan Mansfield, a Marine who, in 1804, during the First Barbary War sailed with Lieutenant Stephen Decatur aboard the on a covert mission to destroy the recently captured .The name Mansfield was canceled for... |
Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer | |
| USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729) USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729) USS Lyman K. Swenson , an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, was laid down 11 September 1943 by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine; launched 12 February 1944; sponsored by Miss Cecelia A. Swenson, daughter of Captain Swenson; and commissioned at Boston Navy Yard 2 May 1944, Commander Francis T. Williamson... |
Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer | |
| USS Soley (DD-707) USS Soley (DD-707) USS Soley , an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, was named for James R. Soley, who became Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1899. Soley was responsible for the collection and publication of Union and Confederate Naval records... |
Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer | |
| USS Collett (DD-730) USS Collett (DD-730) USS Collett was a World War II-era Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer in the service of the U.S. Navy, named after Lieutenant Commander John A. Collett , a Naval Aviator and commanding officer of Torpedo Squadron TEN, who was killed during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands in October 1942... |
Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer | |
| USS Samuel N. Moore (DD-747) USS Samuel N. Moore (DD-747) USS Samuel N. Moore , an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Samuel N. Moore. He took command of Quincy on 20 May 1942 and died on the night of 9 August 1942 when that cruiser was sunk while fighting in the Battle of Savo Island.Samuel N... |
Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer | Arrived July 1950 |
| USS Strong (DD-758) USS Strong (DD-758) USS Strong , an , was the 2nd ship of the United States Navy to be named for James H. Strong, a naval commander for Union forces during the American Civil War... |
Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer | Arrived in theater July 1 |
| USS Shelton (DD-790) USS Shelton (DD-790) USS Shelton was a of the United States Navy, the second Navy ship named for Ensign James A. Shelton , who was killed in the Battle of Midway.... |
Gearing-class destroyer | |
| USS Theodore E. Chandler (DD-717) USS Theodore E. Chandler (DD-717) USS Theodore E. Chandler was a Gearing-class destroyer in the United States Navy during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. She was named for Theodore E. Chandler.... |
Gearing-class destroyer | |
| USS Wiltsie (DD-716) USS Wiltsie (DD-716) USS Wiltsie was a in the United States Navy. She was named for Irving Wiltsie.Wiltsie was laid down on 13 March 1945 at Port Newark, New Jersey, by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company; launched on 31 August 1945; sponsored by Mrs. Irving D. Wiltsie, the widow of Capt... |
Gearing-class destroyer | |
| USS Frank Knox (DDR-742) USS Frank Knox (DD-742) USS Frank Knox was a Gearing-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named after Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox.Frank Knox was built at Bath, Maine... |
Gearing-class destroyer | Arrived in theater July 1950. |
| USS Ernest G. Small (DD-838) USS Ernest G. Small (DD-838) USS Ernest G. Small was a of the United States Navy, named for Rear Admiral Ernest G. Small .Ernest G. Small was launched on 14 June 1945 by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine; sponsored by Mrs E. G. Small; and commissioned on 21 August 1945 with Commander T. D... |
Gearing-class destroyer | |
| USS James E. Kyes (DD-787) USS James E. Kyes (DD-787) USS James E. Kyes was a of the United States Navy, named for Commander James E. Kyes .James E. Kyes was laid down on 27 December 1944 by Todd Pacific Shipyards, Inc., Seattle, Washington; launched on 4 August 1945; sponsored by Mrs. James E. Kyes; and commissioned on 8 February 1946, Comdr.... |
Gearing-class destroyer | |
| USS Hanson (DD-832) USS Hanson (DD-832) USS Hanson was a of the United States Navy, named for First Lieutenant Robert M. Hanson , a United States Marine Corps quintuple ace who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.... |
Gearing-class destroyer | |
| USS Keppler (DD-765) USS Keppler (DD-765) The third USS Keppler was a in the United States Navy during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. She was named for Boatswain's Mate First Class Reinhardt J... |
Gearing-class destroyer | Arrived in theater August 1950 |
| USS Southerland (DD-743) USS Southerland (DD-743) USS Southerland , a , was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for William Henry Hudson Southerland, an admiral.Southerland was laid down on 27 May 1944 by the Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine; launched on 5 October 1944; sponsored by Mrs... |
Gearing-class destroyer | Arrived in theater July 19. |
| USS Shields (DD-596) USS Shields (DD-596) USS Shields , a Fletcher-class destroyer, was a ship of the United States Navy named for Purser Thomas Shields , who fought in the Battle of New Orleans.... |
Fletcher-class destroyer | |
| HMS Cockade (R34) HMS Cockade (R34) HMS Cockade was a C-class destroyer of the Royal Navy. A cockade is a knot of ribbons, or other circular- or oval-shaped symbol of distinctive colours which is usually worn on a hat. So far she has been the only ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name.... |
C-class destroyer | Arrived in theater July 1950. |
| HMS Charity (R29) HMS Charity (R29) HMS Charity was a C-class destroyer of the Royal Navy laid down by John I. Thornycroft and Company of Woolston, Southampton on 9 July 1943. She was launched on 30 November 1944 and commissioned on 19 November 1945... |
C-class destroyer | Arrived in theater July 1950. |
| HMS Comus (R43) | C-class destroyer | Arrived in theater July 1950. |
 HMAS Bataan (I91)HMAS Bataan (I91) HMAS Bataan was a Tribal class destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy . Laid down in 1942 and commissioned in 1945, the destroyer was originally to be named Chingilli or Kurnai but was renamed prior to launch in honour of the US stand during the Battle of Bataan.Although not completed in time to... |
Tribal-class destroyer Tribal class destroyer (1936) The Tribal class, or Afridi class, were a class of destroyers built for the Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Australian Navy that saw service in World War II... |
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 HMCS Sioux (R64)HMCS Sioux (R64) HMCS Sioux was a V class destroyer of the Royal Canadian Navy that saw service in World War II.She was launched as HMS Vixen for the British Royal Navy... |
V-class destroyer U and V class destroyer The U and V class was a class of sixteen destroyers of the Royal Navy launched in 1942–1943. They were constructed in two flotillas, each with names beginning with "U-" or "V-"... |
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| HMCS Cayuga (R04) HMCS Cayuga (R04) HMCS Cayuga R04/218 was a Tribal class destroyer built in the Halifax Shipyards, Halifax, Nova Scotia and served in the Royal Canadian Navy.-History:... |
Tribal-class destroyer | |
| HMCS Athabaskan (R79) HMCS Athabaskan (R79) HMCS Athabaskan was the second destroyer of the Royal Canadian Navy to bear the name Athabaskan, after the many tribes throughout western Canada that speak Athabaskan family languages. Its pennant was later changed to DDE219... |
Tribal-class destroyer | |
 HNLMS Eversten (G01)HMS Scourge (G01) HMS Scourge was an S-class destroyer. She was built by Cammell Laird, Birkenhead and launched on 8 December 1942.She was at sea during the Battle of North Cape in 1943, escorting the Russia-bound Arctic convoy JW 55B. She took no part in the fighting.She was sold to the Royal Netherlands Navy on 1... |
S-class destroyer S and T class destroyer The S and T class was a class of sixteen destroyers of the Royal Navy launched in 1942–1943. They were built as two flotillas, known as the 5th and 6th Emergency Flotilla respectively and they served as fleet and convoy escorts in World War II.-Design features:The S class, introduced the CP ... |
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| HMAS Shoalhaven (K535) |
River-class frigate River class frigate The River class frigate was a class of 151 frigates launched between 1941 and 1944 for use as anti-submarine convoy escorts in the North Atlantic.... |
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| HMNZS Pukaki (F424) HMNZS Pukaki (F424) HMNZS Pukaki was a Loch class frigate of the Royal New Zealand Navy, that previously served in the Royal Canadian Navy as HMCS Loch Achanalt . Originally ordered from Henry Robb, Leith, on 24 July 1942 as a River class frigate, the order was changed, and ship laid down on 14 September 1943, and... |
Loch-class frigate Loch class frigate The Loch class was a class of anti-submarine frigate built for the Royal Navy and her allies during World War II. They were an innovative design based on the experience of 3 years of fighting in the Battle of the Atlantic and attendant technological advances.-Design:The Lochs were based upon the... |
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| HMNZS Tutira (F420) HMNZS Tutira (F420) HMS Loch Morlich was a Loch-class frigate, which was ordered from Swan Hunter on 13 February 1943. She was laid down 15 July 1943 and launched 25 January 1944... |
Loch-class frigate | |
| HMS Mounts Bay (K627) HMS Mounts Bay (K627) HMS Mounts Bay was a anti-aircraft frigate of the British Royal Navy, named after Mount's Bay in Cornwall. In commission from 1949 until 1960, she saw active service in the Korean War, and was sold to Portugal in 1961 to serve as NRP Vasco da Gama until 1971.-Construction:The ship was originally... |
Bay-class Bay class frigate The Bay class was a class of 26 anti-aircraft frigates built for the Royal Navy under the 1943 War Emergency Programme during World War II... anti-aircraft frigate |
Arrived in theater September, 1950. Served primarily as an escort during the Battle of Inchon Battle of Inchon The Battle of Inchon was an amphibious invasion and battle of the Korean War that resulted in a decisive victory and strategic reversal in favor of the United Nations . The operation involved some 75,000 troops and 261 naval vessels, and led to the recapture of the South Korean capital Seoul two... . |
| HMS Whitesand Bay (K633) HMS Whitesand Bay (K633) HMS Whitesand Bay was a Bay-class anti-aircraft frigate of the British Royal Navy, named for Whitesand Bay in Cornwall. In commission from 1945 to 1954, she served in the Pacific, Mediterranean, West Indies and Far East Fleets, seeing active service in the Korean War.-Construction:The ship was... |
Bay-class anti-aircraft frigate | Arrived in theater September 11. Served primarily as a troop transport during the Battle of Inchon. |
| HMS Black Swan (L57) HMS Black Swan (L57) HMS Black Swan , named after the Black Swan, was the name ship of the Black Swan-class of sloops of the British Royal Navy. This class was admired for its sea-going qualities... |
Black Swan-class sloop (convoy escort) | Arrived in theater June 30. |
| HMS Alacrity (U60) | Black Swan-class sloop Black Swan class sloop The Black Swan class and Modified Black Swan class were two classes of sloop of the Royal Navy and Royal Indian Navy. Thirteen Black Swans were launched between 1939 and 1943, including four for the Royal Indian Navy; twenty-four Modified Black Swans were launched between 1942 and 1945, including... |
Arrived in theater June 30. |
| HMS Hart (U58) | Black Swan-class sloop | Arrived in theater June 30. |
| HMS Alert (K647) HMS Alert (K647) HMS Alert a of the British Royal Navy. She was originally laid down as the Loch-class vessel Loch Scamdale, and re-ordered as Dundrum Bay while building... |
modified Bay-class frigate | An "Admiralty Yacht" or despatch vessel. Served as a headquarters ship. |
| HMHS Maine RFA Maine (1924) RFA Maine was a 7,432 GRT hospital ship which was built in 1924 as the ocean liner Leonardo da Vinci by SA Ansaldo, La Spezia, Italy for the Società di Navigazione Transatlantica Italiana. In 1941, she was captured by the British at Kismayu, Italian Somaliland... |
Hospital ship Hospital ship A hospital ship is a ship designated for primary function as a floating medical treatment facility or hospital; most are operated by the military forces of various countries, as they are intended to be used in or near war zones.... |
Served as the UN fleet's primary hospital ship |
| USS Remora (SS-487) USS Remora (SS-487) USS Remora , a Tench-class submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for the remora, a fish with a suctorial disk on its head enabling it to cling to other fish and to ships. Her keel was laid down on 5 March 1945 by the Portsmouth Navy Yard in Kittery, Maine. She was... |
Tench-class submarine Tench class submarine Tench-class submarines were a type of submarine built for the United States Navy between 1944 and 1951. They were an evolutionary improvement over the Gato and Balao classes, only about 35 to 40 tons larger, but more strongly built and with a slightly improved internal layout... |
Patrolled extreme north of Korean theater in the Soya Strait |
| USS Pickerel (SS-524) USS Pickerel (SS-524) USS Pickerel , a Tench-class submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for a young or small pike. The contract to build her was awarded to the Boston Naval Shipyard and her keel was laid down on 8 February 1944. She was launched without a christening ceremony on 15... |
Tench-class submarine | |
| USS Chatterer (AMS-40) USS Chatterer (AMS-40) USS Chatterer was a acquired by the U.S. Navy for the task of removing mines that had been placed in the water to prevent ships from passing.-History:... |
YMS-1-class minesweeper | |
| USS Mockingbird (AMS-27) USS Mockingbird (AMS-27) USS Mockingbird was a built for the United States Navy during World War II. She was the second U.S. Navy ship to be named Mockingbird.-History:AMS-27 was laid down as YMS-419 on 17 September 1943 by Henry C... |
YMS-1-class minesweeper | |
| USS Osprey (AMS-28) USS Osprey (AMS-28) USS Osprey was a built for the United States Navy during World War II. She was the third U.S. Navy ship to be named for the osprey.-History:... |
YMS-1-class minesweeper | |
| USS Redhead (AMS-34) USS Redhead (AMS-34) USS Redhead was a built for the United States Navy during World War II. She was the first U.S. Navy ship to be named for the Redhead duck.-History:... |
YMS-1-class minesweeper |
Task Force 90
Task Force 90
Task Force 90 was a United States Navy command during the Korean War that controlled the amphibious forces in theatre. It reported directly to Commander Naval Forces Far East. Its most high profile operation was the Incheon amphibious assault, Operation Chromite.It was later active during Operation...
, under Rear Admiral James H. Doyle, was primarily concerned with amphibious operations in the theater. As such, it contained no combat ships, only attack transports and a large number of LSTs. The force consisted entirely of US ships. At least 15 LSTs were assigned to the force during the battle to support the attack transports.
| Ship name | Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USS Mount McKinley (AGC-7) USS Mount McKinley (AGC-7) USS Mount McKinley was the lead ship of the Mount McKinley-class of amphibious force command ships. She was named after the highest mountain in North America... |
Mount McKinley-class command ship | |
| USS Cavalier (APA-37) USS Cavalier (APA-37) USS Cavalier was a in the United States Navy. She was named for Cavalier County, North Dakota.Cavalier was reclassified APA-37, 1 February 1943; launched 15 March 1943 by the Western Pipe and Steel Company, San Francisco, California; sponsored by Mrs. M. W... |
Bayfield-class attack transport Bayfield class attack transport The Bayfield class attack transport was a class of US Navy attack transports that were built during World War II.With the entry of the United States into the war, it was quickly realized that amphibious combat operations on hostile shores would be required, and that specialized ships would be... |
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| USS Titania (AKA-13) USS Titania (AKA-13) USS Titania was an named after Titania, one of the moons of the planet Uranus. She served as a commissioned ship for 13 years, beginning in 1942.- Launch and training exercises :... |
Arcturus-class attack cargo ship Arcturus class attack cargo ship The Arcturus class attack cargo ships were converted from other ship types by Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. in Chester, Pennsylvania, Tampa Shipbuilding Co. in Tampa, Florida, and Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co... |
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| USS Oglethorpe (AKA-100) USS Oglethorpe (AKA-100) USS Oglethorpe was an named after a county in Georgia, which in turn was named in honor of James Oglethorpe, the founder of the state. She served as a commissioned ship for approximately 23 years.... |
Andromeda-class attack cargo ship Andromeda class attack cargo ship An Andromeda class attack cargo ship was an attack cargo ship built by Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. in Kearny, New Jersey and Moore Dry Dock Co., in Oakland, California;during World War II... |
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| USS Diphda (AKA-59) USS Diphda (AKA-59) USS Diphda was an named after a star in the constellation Cetus. She served as a commissioned ship for 11 years and 10 months.... |
Andromeda-class attack cargo ship | |
| USS Alshain (AKA-55) USS Alshain (AKA-55) USS Alshain was an in the service of the United States Navy. She was named after the star Alshain in the constellation Aquila, and served as a commissioned ship for 11 years and 9 months.... |
Andromeda-class attack cargo ship | |
| USS Union (AKA-106) USS Union (AKA-106) USS Union was a of the United States Navy, the fourth ship with this name, and served as a commissioned ship for 25 years and 1 month.... |
Tolland-class attack cargo ship Tolland class attack cargo ship The Tolland class attack cargo ships were built by North Carolina Shipbuilding Co. in Wilmington, North Carolina during the latter stages of World War II.... |
|
| USS Arikara (AT-98) |
Abnaki-class tug | |
| USS Diachenko (APD-123) USS Diachenko (APD-123) USS Diachenko , ex-USS Alex Diachenko, ex-DE-690, later LPR-123, was a in commission from 1944 to 1959 and from 1961 to 1969... |
Crosley-class high speed transport Crosley class high speed transport Crosley class high speed transports were transport ships that served in the United States Navy during World War II. Some stayed in commission long enough to serve in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. All of them were converted from s during construction except for , which was converted a year... |
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| USS Horace A. Bass (APD-124) USS Horace A. Bass (APD-124) USS Horace A. Bass was a United States Navy high-speed transport in commission from 1944 to 1969.-Construction and commissioning:Originally projected as a Rudderow-class destroyer escort , Horace A... |
Crosley-class high speed transport | |
| USS Kite (AMS-22) USS Kite (AMS-22) USS Kite was a built for the United States Navy during World War II.-History:Kite was laid down as YMS-324 on 31 January 1943 by the Weaver Shipyards in Orange, Texas, and launched 17 February 1944. She was completed and commissioned on 31 May 1944 with Lt. Robert A... |
YMS-1-class minesweeper YMS-1 class minesweeper The YMS-1 class of auxiliary motor minesweepers was established with the laying down of YMS-1 on 4 March 1941.Characteristics of the class: Displacement 270 t.; Length 136'; Beam 24' 6"; Draft 8'; Speed 15 kts; Complement 32; Armament one single 3"/50 gun mount, two 20mm, two dcp; Propulsion two... |
Arrived in theater July 1950. |
Additionally, a number of other combat ships were used to ferry weapons and supplies to the growing UN force during the battle. These ships were not deployed in a combat role in this battle, though some would later be moved to combat service later on in the war.
| Ship name | Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HMS Warrior (R31) HMS Warrior (R31) HMS Warrior was a Colossus-class light aircraft carrier which served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1946 to 1948 , the Royal Navy from 1948 to 1958, and the Argentine Navy from 1959 to 1969 .- History :Built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, she was originally to be called HMS Brave; the Royal... |
Colossus-class aircraft carrier | Carried additional aircraft for other carriers. |
| USS Boxer (CV-21) USS Boxer (CV-21) USS Boxer was one of 24 s built during World War II for the United States Navy. She was the fifth US Navy ship to bear the name, and was named for a British ship captured by the Americans during the War of 1812... |
Essex-class aircraft carrier | Carried aircraft for US Air Force units. |
| USS Segundo (SS-398) USS Segundo (SS-398) USS Segundo , a Balao-class submarine, was a ship of the United States Navy named for the segundo, a cavalla fish of Caribbean waters.... |
Balao-class submarine Balao class submarine The Balao class was a successful design of United States Navy submarine used during World War II, and with 122 units built, the largest class of submarines in the United States Navy. An improvement on the earlier Gato class, the boats had slight internal differences... |
Ferried torpedoes and other weapons |
| USS Catfish (SS-339) USS Catfish (SS-339) USS Catfish , a Balao-class submarine, was a ship of the United States Navy named for the catfish.Catfish was launched 19 November 1944 by Electric Boat Co., Groton, Conn.; sponsored by Mrs. J. J. Crowley; and commissioned 19 March 1945, Lieutenant Commander W. A... |
Balao-class submarine | Ferried torpedoes and other weapons |
| SS Luxembourg Victory |
Liberty Ship Liberty ship Liberty ships were cargo ships built in the United States during World War II. Though British in conception, they were adapted by the U.S. as they were cheap and quick to build, and came to symbolize U.S. wartime industrial output. Based on vessels ordered by Britain to replace ships torpedoed by... |
Carried tanks for UN ground forces. |
| USNS Sgt. George D Keathley (T-APC-117) USNS Sgt. George D Keathley (T-APC-117) USNS Sgt. George D. Keathley, was a World War II United States cargo vessel that was used for troop transport and later converted to a survey vessel. She was laid down and launched as MS Alexander R. Niniger, Jr., then renamed MS Acorn Knot. She was put into US Army service as USAT Acorn Knot,... |
Cargo ship |
Land
The North Korean People's Army forces were organized into a mechanizedMechanized Warfare
Mechanized Warfare is the sixth studio album released by American power metal band Jag Panzer, released in 2001. This album is more progressive than the band's previous work...
combined arms
Combined arms
Combined arms is an approach to warfare which seeks to integrate different branches of a military to achieve mutually complementary effects...
force of ten divisions
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
, originally numbering some 90,000 well-trained and well-equipped troops in July, with hundreds of T-34
T-34
The T-34 was a Soviet medium tank produced from 1940 to 1958. Although its armour and armament were surpassed by later tanks of the era, it has been often credited as the most effective, efficient and influential design of World War II...
Tanks. However, defensive actions by US and South Korean forces had delayed the North Koreans significantly in their invasion of South Korea, costing them 58,000 of their troops and a large number of tanks. To recoup these losses, the North Koreans had to rely on less experienced replacements and conscripts, many of whom they took from the conquered regions of South Korea. During the course of the battle, the North Koreans raised a total of 13 infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
divisions and one armored division to the fight at Pusan Perimeter.
From south to northeast, the North Korean units initially positioned opposite the UN units were the 83rd Motorized Regiment of the 105th Armored Division
105th Armored Division (North Korea)
The 105th Armored Division is a military formation of the Korean People's Army. It was North Korea's first armored unit and took part in the Korean War.-Formation and structure:...
and then the 6th
6th Division (North Korea)
The 6th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Korean People's Army during the 20th Century. The date that the 6th Infantry Division was formed in somewhat unclear as the Army during the Korean War believed that the 6th ID was established either in July 1949 or March 1950 at Sinuiju from...
, 4th
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...
, 3rd
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...
, 2nd
2nd Division (North Korea)
The 2nd Infantry Division was a military formation of the Korean People's Army 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...
, 15th
15th Division (North Korea)
The 15th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Korean People's Army during the 20th Century. The division fought in the 1950 Korean War; it took part in the North Korean advance from Seoul to Taejon, and fought in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter. The 15th Division fought along the...
, 1st
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....
, 13th
13th Division (North Korea)
The 13th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Korean People's Army during the 20th Century.It participated in the North Korean advance from Seoul to Daejeon.The division fought in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter....
, 8th
8th Division (North Korea)
The 8th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Korean People's Army during the 20th Century.It was formed early in July 1950 in the Chuncheon area from remnants of the 1st Border Constabulary Brigade and elements of the 2d Border Constabulary Brigade...
, 12th
12th Division (North Korea)
12th Infantry Division was a division of the Korean People's Army during the 20th Century.- Formation and early history :It was activated in Wonsan and was initially composed of the Northeast Volunteer Army, Chinese 15th Division and was initially composed of the 30th, 31st and 32nd Infantry...
, and 5th
5th Division (North Korea)
The 5th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Korean People's Army during the 20th century. It was activated at Nanam, North Korea, during the early part of August 1949, composed of Korean veterans of the Chinese Communist 8th Route Army’s 164th Division, which had been stationed in the...
Divisions and the 766th Independent Infantry Regiment
766th Independent Infantry Regiment (North Korea)
The 766th Independent Infantry Regiment was a light infantry unit of North Korea's Korean People's Army that existed briefly during the Korean War. It was headquartered in Hoeryong, North Korea, and was also known as the 766th Unit. Trained extensively in amphibious warfare and unconventional...
.
North Korean People's Army
| North Korean People's Army Commander-in-chief Commander-in-Chief A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military... : Choi Yong-kun Choi Yong-kun Choi Yong-kun was the Korean People's Army chief commander from 1948 to 1953 North Korean defence minister from 1953 to 1957, and the President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea from 1957 to 1972. Choi Yong-kun was born in T'aech'ŏn County in North Pyongan,... Commander, Advanced General Headquarters: Kim Chaek Kim Chaek Kim Chaek was a North Korean hero and politician.Born in Sŏngjin, Kim joined the guerrilla war against the Japanese occupation in 1927 and fought alongside Kim Il-sung in Manchuria. He joined the Korean People's Revolutionary Army in 1932. He defected to the Soviet Union to escape the Japanese... |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit | Commander | Sub-units | Notes | |||||||
| I Corps I Corps (North Korea) - History :The Corps was activated in 1950 with a strength of 5,000 men. It took command of the North Korean divisions on the eastern sector, in the Seoul area, with the NK II Corps on its flank.... |
Lieutenant General Kim Ung | |||||||||
| 2nd Infantry Division 2nd Division (North Korea) The 2nd Infantry Division was a military formation of the Korean People's Army 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... |
Major General Lee Ch'ong Song |
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Estimated strength of 7,500 August 5 Stood at 6,000 September 1. | |||||||
| 3rd Infantry Division 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... |
Major General Lee Yong Ho |
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Estimated strength of 6,000 August 5 Stood at 7,000 September 1. | |||||||
| 4th Infantry Division 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... |
Major General Lee Kwon Mu Lee Kwon Mu Lee Kwon Mu, also known as Yi Kwon-mu or Ri Gwon-mu, was a North Korean People's Army general officer during the Korean War... |
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Estimated strength of 7,000 August 5 Reduced to 3,500 by August 19 after fighting at Naktong Bulge and did not recover until later in the war. Stood at 5,500 September 1. | |||||||
| 6th Infantry Division 6th Division (North Korea) The 6th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Korean People's Army during the 20th Century. The date that the 6th Infantry Division was formed in somewhat unclear as the Army during the Korean War believed that the 6th ID was established either in July 1949 or March 1950 at Sinuiju from... |
Major General Pang Ho San |
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Estimated strength of 3,600 August 5 Stood at 10,000 September 1. | |||||||
| 7th Infantry Division | Major General Paek Nak Chil |
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Committed to Pusan around September 1 with a strength of 9,000. | |||||||
| 9th Infantry Division 9th Division (North Korea) The 9th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Korean People's Army during the 20th Century.Was part of the North Korean advance from Seoul to Taejon.Fought in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter.... |
Major General Kim T'ae Mo |
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Arrived in the battle around August 25. Stood at 9,350 September 1. | |||||||
| 10th Infantry Division 10th Division (North Korea) The 10th Infantry Division , was a military formation of the Korean People's Army during the 20th Century. It may have been formed at Sukchon as early as March or April 1950 and consisted of a cadre of experienced People’s Army officers and NCO’s and new recruits.From the date of its formation to... |
Major General Kim Tae Hong |
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Stood at 7,500 September 1. | |||||||
| II Corps II Corps (North Korea) II Corps is a corps of the Korean People's Army. It was created on June 12, 1950 with Lt. General Kim Kwang-hyop in command. During the Korean War the unit was composed of the 2nd Infantry Division, the 13th Mechanised Division, and the 27th Infantry Division.The 27th Infantry Division was part of... |
Lieutenant General Kim Mu Chong | |||||||||
| 1st Infantry Division 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.... |
Major General Hong Rim |
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Reported a strength of 5,000 August 5 Stood at 5,000 September 1. | |||||||
| 5th Infantry Division 5th Division (North Korea) The 5th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Korean People's Army during the 20th century. It was activated at Nanam, North Korea, during the early part of August 1949, composed of Korean veterans of the Chinese Communist 8th Route Army’s 164th Division, which had been stationed in the... |
Major General Ma Sang Ch'ol |
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Estimated strength of 6,000 August 5 Stood at 7,000 September 1. | |||||||
| 8th Infantry Division 8th Division (North Korea) The 8th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Korean People's Army during the 20th Century.It was formed early in July 1950 in the Chuncheon area from remnants of the 1st Border Constabulary Brigade and elements of the 2d Border Constabulary Brigade... |
Major General Oh Paek Ryong |
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Estimated strength of 8,000 August 5 Stood at 6,500 September 1. | |||||||
| 12th Infantry Division 12th Division (North Korea) 12th Infantry Division was a division of the Korean People's Army during the 20th Century.- Formation and early history :It was activated in Wonsan and was initially composed of the Northeast Volunteer Army, Chinese 15th Division and was initially composed of the 30th, 31st and 32nd Infantry... |
Major General Ch'oe Hyon |
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Estimated strength of 6,000 August 5 Reduced to 1,500 men after fighting at P'ohang-dong, and re-formed August 19 by merging with the 766th Regiment to stand at 5,000 men. Stood at 5,000 September 1. | |||||||
| 13th Infantry Division 13th Division (North Korea) The 13th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Korean People's Army during the 20th Century.It participated in the North Korean advance from Seoul to Daejeon.The division fought in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter.... |
Major General Choi Yong Chin |
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Estimated strength of 9,500 August 5 Stood at 9,000 September 1. | |||||||
| 15th Infantry Division 15th Division (North Korea) The 15th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Korean People's Army during the 20th Century. The division fought in the 1950 Korean War; it took part in the North Korean advance from Seoul to Taejon, and fought in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter. The 15th Division fought along the... |
Major General Paik Son Choi |
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Estimated strength of 5,000 August 5 Stood at 7,000 September 1. | |||||||
| 105th Armored Division 105th Armored Division (North Korea) The 105th Armored Division is a military formation of the Korean People's Army. It was North Korea's first armored unit and took part in the Korean War.-Formation and structure:... |
Major General Ryu Kyong Su |
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The 105th's units formed the core of North Korea's mechanized and armored forces, and was dispersed supporting the other divisions in the line. Its total strength was estimated at 4,000 August 5. Stood at 1,000 September 1 as assets were transferred to the 104th Security Brigade, and 16th and 17th Armored Brigades. | |||||||
| 766th Independent Infantry Regiment | Senior Colonel Oh Jin Woo |
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Estimated strength of 1,500 August 5 Disbanded August 19 after fighting in P'ohang-dong and merged with NK 12th Division. | |||||||
Air and Sea
The Korean People's NavyKorean People's Navy
The Korean People's Army Naval Force is the navy of North Korea. The Korean People's Army is made up of the Ground Force, the North Korean Air Force, and the Navy. It was established on June 5, 1946. The navy strength in the 1990s was about 40,000 to 60,000; current strength is at about 46,000...
controlled a very small force of around 50 or 60 ships, all of which were small ships. The navy possessed a few torpedo boat
Torpedo boat
A torpedo boat is a relatively small and fast naval vessel designed to carry torpedoes into battle. The first designs rammed enemy ships with explosive spar torpedoes, and later designs launched self-propelled Whitehead torpedoes. They were created to counter battleships and other large, slow and...
s and gunboats among others, some of which were donated by the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, but these ships were no match for the UN naval forces. Following the Battle of Chumonchin Chan, a one-sided engagement in which UN forces ambushed and crushed a small North Korean flotilla
Flotilla
A flotilla , or naval flotilla, is a formation of small warships that may be part of a larger fleet. A flotilla is usually composed of a homogeneous group of the same class of warship, such as frigates, destroyers, torpedo boats, submarines, gunboats, or minesweepers...
, North Korean ships generally avoided UN ships completely, leaving the UN naval forces virtually unopposed. North Korean torpedo boats may have conducted isolated attacks against similarly small South Korean ships but they did not oppose larger UN ships during the fight around the Pusan Perimeter. They could also not find resupply from Soviet or China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
as neither had a large standing navy in the region. This is seen by historians as one of the largest disadvantages North Korea had during the battle, as it allowed the UN complete sea and air superiority.
At the start of the Korean War in July, the Korean People's Air Force consisted of about 150 combat aircraft. This force was a mixture of Russian-built models and generally were in poor maintenance and repair. Fighter aircraft
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
included Yakovlev Yak-7
Yakovlev Yak-7
The Soviet Yakovlev Yak-7 was developed from the earlier Yak-1 fighter, initially as a trainer but converted into a "heavy" fighter. As both a fighter and later reverting to its original training role, the Yak-7 proved to be a capable aircraft and was well liked by air crews. The Yak-7 was simpler,...
s, Yak-3s and a few Yak-9s, 70 in total. They controlled a handful of Ilyushin Il-10
Ilyushin Il-10
Ilyushin Il-10 was a Soviet ground attack aircraft developed at the end of World War II by the Ilyushin construction bureau...
for air-to-surface combat, and used Polikarpov Po-2
Polikarpov Po-2
The Polikarpov Po-2 served as a general-purpose Soviet biplane, nicknamed Kukuruznik for maize; thus, 'maize duster' or 'crop duster'), NATO reporting name "Mule"...
biplanes for training. These craft were poorly maintained and their pilots were eager but mostly untrained. However, the North Korean ground forces had much more modern equipment, including Anti-aircraft
Anti-aircraft warfare
NATO defines air defence as "all measures designed to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action." They include ground and air based weapon systems, associated sensor systems, command and control arrangements and passive measures. It may be to protect naval, ground and air forces...
weapons and vehicles, which were more effective in threatening UN aircraft. North Korean aircraft engaged US aircraft in small, isolated dogfights throughout the battle, but the North Koreans were unable to muster a sufficient force of fighters to the front to seriously oppose the massive UN air component.