Intervention by Communist China suddenly changed the picture of the Korean War. The Chinese wanted to avoid the occupation of North Korea, which like China was a communist state. The Chinese entered the Korean War in response to UN attacks that crossed the 38th Parallel while expelling North Korean troops that invaded the South in June, 1950.
Both China and the Soviet Union supplied North Korea with arms and other materials throughout the war. Soviet and Chinese aircraft flew against the UN forces.
UN forces began to encounter some Chinese soldiers late in October, 1950. In response to international criticism of its intervention, The Chinese government insisted these forces were volunteers. In November four Chinese armies totaling at least 200,000 struck at the UN forces. An even larger force was ready to strike.
The Chinese had become excellent fighters during their extended civil war and their battles against the invading Japanese during WWII, and put up a ferocious fight, even surrounding the vaunted X Corps at Chosin Reservoir. In December and January of 1951, US/UN/ROK forces continued retreating.
Both China and the Soviet Union supplied North Korea with arms and other materials throughout the war. Soviet and Chinese aircraft flew against the UN forces.
UN forces began to encounter some Chinese soldiers late in October, 1950. In response to international criticism of its intervention, The Chinese government insisted these forces were volunteers. In November four Chinese armies totaling at least 200,000 struck at the UN forces. An even larger force was ready to strike.
The Chinese had become excellent fighters during their extended civil war and their battles against the invading Japanese during WWII, and put up a ferocious fight, even surrounding the vaunted X Corps at Chosin Reservoir. In December and January of 1951, US/UN/ROK forces continued retreating.
After UN forces drove the North Koreans out of South Korea in October, 1950, the Chinese launched a massive ground assault that overran South Korea. Over the next two years, US and UN forces managed to again push north, countering new offensives, so that the borders of the 1953 armistice were roughly the same as before the war.
On 25 November 1950, a day after United Nations and Republic of Korea forces began the offensive they expected would complete the unification of Korea, Communist China countered with a terrific, and very successful offensive of its own. Within a few days, the Chinese onslaught reversed the UN/ROK northward drive in central and western North Korea, devastating several South Korean divisions, badly tearing up the U.S. Second Division and forcing the rest of the UN command to rapidly withdraw southwards to escape destruction.
On 27 November, near eastern North Korea's Chosin Reservoir, the Chinese fell on the First Marine Division and a nearby U.S. Army task force, almost wiping out the latter and provoking a Marine response that ranks as one of history's greatest feats of arms. Over the following two weeks, the Marines battled their way to the port of Hungnam, from which they would be evacuated by sea. In their wake were the ruins of the opposing Chinese divisions, which suffered so many casualties from combat and the bitterly cold weather that they were out of action for months.
In my opinion, China was a fierce country. It destroyed a lot and was a huge enemy in the war. South Korea had a lot on its hands when it came to Chinese warfare and forces. China and Japan were the biggest enemies in the war, and it seemed the ruler of China had even more perseverance. China used dangerous tactics to defeat the opposing countries. They especially targeted South Korea and with all their weapons and warfare destroyed it greatly. They helped North Korea the greatest in the war and was one of the main targets within the war by opposing forces.
On 25 November 1950, a day after United Nations and Republic of Korea forces began the offensive they expected would complete the unification of Korea, Communist China countered with a terrific, and very successful offensive of its own. Within a few days, the Chinese onslaught reversed the UN/ROK northward drive in central and western North Korea, devastating several South Korean divisions, badly tearing up the U.S. Second Division and forcing the rest of the UN command to rapidly withdraw southwards to escape destruction.
On 27 November, near eastern North Korea's Chosin Reservoir, the Chinese fell on the First Marine Division and a nearby U.S. Army task force, almost wiping out the latter and provoking a Marine response that ranks as one of history's greatest feats of arms. Over the following two weeks, the Marines battled their way to the port of Hungnam, from which they would be evacuated by sea. In their wake were the ruins of the opposing Chinese divisions, which suffered so many casualties from combat and the bitterly cold weather that they were out of action for months.
In my opinion, China was a fierce country. It destroyed a lot and was a huge enemy in the war. South Korea had a lot on its hands when it came to Chinese warfare and forces. China and Japan were the biggest enemies in the war, and it seemed the ruler of China had even more perseverance. China used dangerous tactics to defeat the opposing countries. They especially targeted South Korea and with all their weapons and warfare destroyed it greatly. They helped North Korea the greatest in the war and was one of the main targets within the war by opposing forces.