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BATTLE OF INCHON (INCHON BATTLEFIELD)

December 9, 2015 By Howard Kramer Leave a Comment

Incheon, South Korea (1950 AD)

The Battle of Inchon was one of the major turning points of the Korean War, and arguably the greatest military victory ever organized under the auspices of the United Nations.  It is also the largest amphibious assault undertaken since the end of World War II, and one of the biggest American propaganda coups of the Cold War.  The Battle of Inchon ended the early North Korean offensive and nearly drove the Communist forces back into China.  Inchon was also the last great military victory planned and led by General Douglas MacArthur.

History

In the wake of World War II, the Korean Peninsula became divided by the occupying powers of the United States to the south and the Soviet Union to the north.  As in Germany, this temporary arrangement soon became permanent, as the Communist north refused to allow a general referendum on reunification.  Relations between the two countries broke down, and in June 1950 North Korea invaded the south in an attempt to settle the matter by force.

In response, the newly-formed United Nations flexed its muscle by declaring a police action, and member nations, led by the United States, rushed in military aid.  However, the North Korean army moved quickly, and by August had conquered most of the peninsula down to the famous Pusan Perimter in the southeast corner of the country.

Despite the American and United Nations efforts, holding the perimeter was tenuous.  Deciding that the best defense was a good offense, the Americans decided to launch an amphibious assault behind the North Korean lines in an effort to cut off their supply.  Choosing General Douglas MacArthur, hero of the Pacific War, to lead the attack, the allies chose the strategic port of Inchon as their target.

On September 15, 1950, after several days of preliminary bombing, the mixed American-South Korean force landed.  The assault was an overwhelming success.  The defending force was routed, and within a few days the Americans had seized Kimpo Airfield, which in turn led to the recapture of Seoul.  The unexpected success also led to the collapse of the North Korean army besieging Pusan, and by the end of September almost all of Korea was back in allied hands.

Visiting

The Battle of Inchon was fought across the Inchon Peninsula, with three separate beach landings and even fighting around a medieval Korean fortress.  The most popular sites related to the battle are Pohang Beach, where the largest landing took place, and the fortress on Wolmi-Do Island just offshore from the peninsula.  There are a number of battle markers and monuments around the city.  These include tributes, largely magnificent statues, of American troops, South Korean troops, and Douglas MacArthur.

The Battlefield sites are scattered around the city center of modern Incheon, approximately twenty miles west of the capital of Seoul.  All of the important battlefield destinations are open sites.  There is no charge for admission.  Web: www.visitseoul.net (official tourism website of Seoul).

Filed Under: Battlefield Tagged With: Japan/Korea

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About Howard Kramer

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is a culmination of years of his work and passion.

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Welcome to The Complete Pilgrim(TM)! This site, created by Howard Kramer, is a combination travel blog and online guide to the world's greatest sites of religious interest (with some historic and recreational places thrown in for good measure). All written content has been originally researched and produced and is provided free for public research and enjoyment. Thank you for visiting!

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Where would you like to go?

Africa (North) Africa (Sub-Sahara) Arabia Armenia/Azerbaijan/Georgia Australia/Pacific Austria/Switzerland Balkans Belgium/Netherlands British Isles Canada Caribbean Central Asia China Czech Republic Egypt France Germany Greece Hungary/Romania/Bulgaria India (NE)/Nepal India (NW) India (South)/Sri Lanka Iran/Iraq Israel Italy/Malta Japan/Korea Latin America Mexico Palestine Poland/Lithuania Russia Scandinavia Southeast Asia Spain/Portugal Syria/Jordan/Lebanon Turkey/Cyprus Ukraine US-California US-Mid Atlantic US-Midwest US-New England US-New York US-Pacific Northwest US-South US-Southwest

Contact Us

Have a comment, a great photo or a religious site you'd like to nominate for the weekly spotlight? We would love to hear from you. Email us at hkramer@thecompletepilgrim.com.

About the Author

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is the culmination of years of his work and passion.

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