When China Joined The Fierce Korean War

Korean War (Source: Commons Wikimedia)

JAKARTA - In some of the fiercest battles in the Korean War, thousands of Chinese communist forces launched a massive counterattack against United States (US) and Republic of Korea (ROK) forces. They pushed allied forces in front of them and put an end to any thinking of a swift US victory.

When the counterattack was dammed, US and South Korean (South Korean) troops were expelled from North Korea (North Korea). The war ended in a frustrating stalemate for the next two and a half years.

Quoting History, Wednesday, November 25, in the weeks before China joined the Korean War, the ROK and US forces, under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, managed to get deeper into North Korea. They managed to get close to the Chinese border.

Meanwhile, China issued a warning that North Korea must keep its distance. And starting in October 1950, troops from the Chinese People's Liberation Army began crossing the border to aid North Korea. Their number increased to around 300 thousand in early November.

Several bloody meetings took place between Chinese and ROK-US forces. But Chinese troops abruptly stopped offensive operations on November 6. This prompted MacArthur, who has always ignored the military effectiveness of Chinese troops, proposing a new major offensive by the US and ROK.

Alternately, the so-called "end of war" or "home before Christmas" offensive was launched. The attacks began on November 24. Citing Honor State, on November 25, there was an upheaval which was also called the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River.

The fighting defined the Korean War that lasted until December 2, 1950 along the Ch'ongch'on River Valley in northwest North Korea. In response to China's first successful phase offensive against United Nations (UN) forces, General Douglas MacArthur launched an offensive to drive Chinese troops out of Korea and to end the war.

When the US Eighth Army ceased its movement on the afternoon of November 25, 1950, the Chinese Army's 13th Army began its second phase offensive. Massive frontal attacks were launched against the entire UN line from Yongsan to Yongwon.

The attacks completely stalled on the morning of November 26. On the afternoon of November 28, MacArthur began to realize that a crisis was developing in Korea.

The US 2nd Infantry Division has suffered more than four thousand casualties and the 25th Infantry Division more than 1,300. After winning the battle decisively and once again turning the tide of war in favor of the communists, the battle of the Ch'ongch'on River represented the pinnacle of China's military performance in Korea.

China's massive offensive puts an end to any thought that US boys will "come home before Christmas." It also increases the specter of war that extends beyond the borders of the Korean Peninsula. This situation was largely avoided by US policymakers because they were suspicious of being involved in a ground war in Asia which might escalate into a nuclear confrontation with the Soviets.

Framework returns

The Korean War is an unforgettable tragedy. Sometimes the soldiers who died were not in their homeland, until finally in September 2020, South Korea handed over the remains of Chinese soldiers and relics related to the Korean War.

Citing the Global Times, analysts said the move showed South Korea's great kindness to China which is experiencing a difficult time from the deadly COVID-19 and US oppression in technology, education and the military. Lü Chao, a researcher at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, said the move would also help revive the courage of the Chinese people to unite and fight off attackers and protect the country.

China and South Korea have successfully completed the handover of 599 bodies for six consecutive years from 2014 to 2019. Normally, the bodies will be placed in a special area for the Korean War heroes laying down in Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning Province, China.