Photo By Carrie Castillo |
This image is an artist's rendition of the Battle of Chipyong-ni, a pivotal engagement......read moreread more
Photo By Carrie Castillo | This image is an artist's rendition of the Battle of Chipyong-ni, a pivotal engagement of the Korean War that took place from February 13–15, 1951. (courtesy image) see less
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Seventy-five years ago, United Nations Command forces were advancing below the Han River to regain contact with and destroy Chinese forces and regain the initiative in Operations Roundup and Ripper. The U.S. 2nd Infantry Division’s 23rd Infantry Regiment, with French and ROK soldiers attached, fought two desperate defenses, first at Twin Tunnels on February 1, where a small patrol was ambushed, cut off and nearly destroyed before being rescued by a relief force.
The Regiment then moved north and secured a vital crossroads where they established a perimeter defense, then resisted three days of continuous Chinese attacks. Though vastly outnumbered by the Chinese, the American, French, and ROK forces successfully defended Chipyong-ni (Jipyeong-ri). UNC air forces enabled the defense by flying continuous close air support, parachute resupply, and flare missions. This pivotal victory became a turning point in the Korean War.
Turkish troops, attached to the 25th Infantry Division, destroyed Chinese troops on Hill 431, northwest of Suwon, while the Dutch Battalion helped defeat the Chinese Fourth Phase Offensive toward Wonju and Seoul. Their Commander, Lt Col M.P.A. den Ouden, was killed in action at Hoengsong and was awarded the Militaire Willems Orde, the highest Dutch award for valor.
The 1st Cavalry Division retook Incheon and Kimpo (Gimpo) airfield. Chinese operations were strangled by UNC naval bombardment and air interdiction of communist lines of communication. The month ended with Chinese resistance south of the Han River collapsing on February 28 and UNC poised to liberate Seoul.
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