Battle of Chuam-ni
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Chuam-ni was a battle fought between 14–17 February 1951, at Chuam-ni, South Korea
, as part of the Chinese
and North Korean offensive towards Wonju
during the Korean War
. The battle was for control of the supply line Route 24.
. The Chinese having become aware of the gap, prepared to exploit the gap in its offensive on Wongju. On 12 February, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment manning positions upon Hill 444 4 miles (6.4 km) east of Chip'yong-ni were attacked by two Chinese battalions and was withdrawn to positions northwest of Wonju. During the morning of the 13 February, air observers noted Chinese troop movements towards the gap toward the 2nd Division's 2nd Reconnaissance Company east of Chuam-ni.
The 2nd Reconnaissance Company having been sent out to patrol Route 24 in the gap in the defensive line around Wongju, were reinforced with "L Company", 9th Infantry Regiment at 12:00 on the 13 February. Amost immediately they were attacked by a Chinese forces from the northeast, which was replused. The Chinese then tried to encircle the two companies bringing about the withdrawal of the companies to a blocking position on Route 24 at Chuam-ni.
of the 39th Army
, launched an attack against the 2nd Reconnaissance Company and "L Company", 9th Infantry at Chuam-ni. Suffering large casualties, the two companies withdrew south along Route 24. Having been surrounded, the companies fought a fighting withdrawal suffering further casualties. The total casualties suffered by the 2nd Reconnaissance Company and "L Company", 9th Infantry were 114 killed and 98 wounded. Chinese casualties were also heavy. The result of the withdrawal was that the 23rd Regiment had been cut off.
The 27th British Commonwealth Brigade, consisting of the 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment
, the 1st Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
, the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
, the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
, the 60th Indian Field Ambulance, and the 16th Field Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery, were ordered to open Route 24 to the 23rd Regimental Combat Team and cover the gap in the defenses. Meeting the remnants of the 2nd Reconnaissance Company and "L Company", 9th Infantry 5 miles (8 km) south of Chuam-ni and while pushing north slowly through Chinese blocking the route.
Moving slowly north along Route 24, the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade heading towards Chip'yong-ni, were initially held up by a battalion sized force on the 15 February, however on 16 February, the Chinese had withdrawn and Chuam-ni was occupied on the 17 February.
. It was found that 68 soldiers of "L Company" had been killed by Chinese forces while sleeping and were found still in their sleeping bags.
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...
, as part of the Chinese
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
and North Korean offensive towards Wonju
Wonju
Wonju is the most populous city in Gangwon province, South Korea.Wonju is a city approximately east of Seoul and the capital can be reached within 1hr 30minutes by bus or train. Wonju is home to three major universities which attract many students from Seoul and elsewhere. They provide facilities...
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 battle was for control of the supply line Route 24.
Background
Due to insufficient strength in troop numbers, a gap of about 12 miles (19.3 km) between the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment and the 23rd Regimental Combat Team23rd 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...
. The Chinese having become aware of the gap, prepared to exploit the gap in its offensive on Wongju. On 12 February, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment manning positions upon Hill 444 4 miles (6.4 km) east of Chip'yong-ni were attacked by two Chinese battalions and was withdrawn to positions northwest of Wonju. During the morning of the 13 February, air observers noted Chinese troop movements towards the gap toward the 2nd Division's 2nd Reconnaissance Company east of Chuam-ni.
The 2nd Reconnaissance Company having been sent out to patrol Route 24 in the gap in the defensive line around Wongju, were reinforced with "L Company", 9th Infantry Regiment at 12:00 on the 13 February. Amost immediately they were attacked by a Chinese forces from the northeast, which was replused. The Chinese then tried to encircle the two companies bringing about the withdrawal of the companies to a blocking position on Route 24 at Chuam-ni.
Battle
On 14 February at 05:00, the Chinese, consisting of a regiment of the 116th Division116th Division (People's Republic of China)
-History:The 116th Division was a military formation of the People's Volunteer Army during the Korean War with a standard strength of approximately 10,000 men...
of the 39th Army
39th Army (People's Republic of China)
The 39th Army is a group army, a formation of roughly corps strength, of the People's Liberation Army.The Army was a military formation of the People's Volunteer Army during the Korean War...
, launched an attack against the 2nd Reconnaissance Company and "L Company", 9th Infantry at Chuam-ni. Suffering large casualties, the two companies withdrew south along Route 24. Having been surrounded, the companies fought a fighting withdrawal suffering further casualties. The total casualties suffered by the 2nd Reconnaissance Company and "L Company", 9th Infantry were 114 killed and 98 wounded. Chinese casualties were also heavy. The result of the withdrawal was that the 23rd Regiment had been cut off.
The 27th British Commonwealth Brigade, consisting of the 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment
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...
, the 1st Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
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....
, the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment is a parachute infantry battalion of the Australian Army, based in Sydney. 3 RAR was initially formed in 1945 as the 67th Battalion and has seen active service in Japan, Korea, Malaya, South Vietnam, East Timor, the Solomon Islands, Afghanistan and Iraq...
, the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry is one of the three regular force infantry regiments of the Canadian Army. The regiment is composed of four battalions including a primary reserve battalion, for a total of 2,000 soldiers...
, the 60th Indian Field Ambulance, and the 16th Field Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery, were ordered to open Route 24 to the 23rd Regimental Combat Team and cover the gap in the defenses. Meeting the remnants of the 2nd Reconnaissance Company and "L Company", 9th Infantry 5 miles (8 km) south of Chuam-ni and while pushing north slowly through Chinese blocking the route.
Moving slowly north along Route 24, the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade heading towards Chip'yong-ni, were initially held up by a battalion sized force on the 15 February, however on 16 February, the Chinese had withdrawn and Chuam-ni was occupied on the 17 February.
Aftermath
With the Chinese and North Korean forces withdrawing, a United Nations offensive was undertaken, known as Operation KillerOperation Killer
Operation Killer was the start of the second major counter offensive launched by United Nations forces against the People's Volunteer Army and the North Korean Army during the Korean War between 20 February and 6 March 1951...
. It was found that 68 soldiers of "L Company" had been killed by Chinese forces while sleeping and were found still in their sleeping bags.