Battle of Inchon (Inch'ŏn) of the Korean War

Covers the 1950 Battle of Inchon during the Korean War: MacArthur's daring amphibious landing, Operation Chromite, and the recapture of Seoul.

Key Takeaways

MacArthur's bold amphibious landing at Inchon reversed the momentum of the Korean War.
Careful naval and air bombardment preceded the landing to neutralize enemy defenses.
The recapture of Seoul and the defeat of North Korean forces followed within about two weeks.

What the video covers

After North Korea crossed the 38th parallel and captured Seoul, Truman named MacArthur commander of allied forces in Korea.
Allied forces were pushed back to Busan by August 1950, prompting MacArthur to propose a landing behind enemy lines at Inchon.
Military leaders objected that Inchon's narrow channels and extreme tides made a landing dangerous.
Operation Chromite began with a diversionary attack at Kusan on September 10, 1950.
Allied air and naval forces bombarded enemy positions at Wolmido, Green Beach, and Red Beach before the landing.
British and American warships fired about 1,000 rounds on enemy fortifications around Inchon on September 13, though three allied ships were damaged by enemy shelling.
Landings at Green Beach and Red Beach began September 15, neutralizing enemy defenses at Inchon by nightfall.
Allied forces seized Kimpo airfield on September 17 and advanced on Seoul, about 25 miles northeast.
Seoul was declared liberated on September 25, and remaining North Korean forces were defeated by September 28.
Historian Spencer C. Tucker called it the only unambiguously successful large-scale U.S. combat operation for the next 40 years.

Chapters

Why did MacArthur propose landing at Inchon?

After allied forces were pushed back to Busan in August 1950, MacArthur proposed a landing behind enemy lines at Inchon. It would let the allies attack enemy forces from two directions at once.

What preparations came before the Inchon landing?

Allied forces staged a diversionary attack at Kusan on September 10 and bombarded enemy positions at Wolmido and the landing beaches. British and American warships also fired about 1,000 shells on fortifications around Inchon on September 13.

Why is the Battle of Inchon considered so significant?

The landing neutralized enemy defenses and opened the way to recapture Seoul, which was liberated on September 25. Historian Spencer C. Tucker described it as the only unambiguously successful large-scale U.S. combat operation for the next 40 years.