Military Historical Library

"The War in Korea 1950-1953"

Chief Editor N L Volkovskiy
Editor I V Petrova
OOO Izdatel'stvo Poligon, Saint Petersburg 2000; 928 pp.
ISBN 5-89173-1 13-4


This ongoing military-historical assessment of the war in Korea 1950-1953 was developed while still in the 1950s by an author collective headed by S. S. Lototskiy and remained a secret work provided to generals and officers. The book discusses the events that were kept from a broad circle of readers for many long years by the stamp of secrecy, as well as the lessons and results of the first postwar "test of forces" in a local conflict.

Table of Contents

Section Page

Introduction 3

Brief Characteristics of the Area of Combat Operations 21

Chapter 1. Status of the Armed Forces and Basic Views of the Conduct
Of Combat Operations by the Warring Sides Before the Start of the War
29

1. Armed Forces of the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea 29

2. Forces of the Chinese Volunteers 39

3. Armed Forces of South Korea 42

4. Armed Forces of the USA in the Far East 46

Chapter 2. Start of the War in Korea (First Stage of the War - 25 June To l4 September 1950 56

1. Plans and Disposition of Forces of the Sides 56

2. Beginning of the Military Conflict in Korea 60

3. Destruction of the Enemy Force Grouping in the Seoul area and Withdrawal to the Hangan River-Kannyn Line (28 June - 2 July) 72

4. Development of the Offensive and Movement of the Korean Peoples' Army to the Poson-Kimsan-Yendong-Uiju-Yondok Line (3-25 July) 76

5. Offensive of the Korean Peoples' Army in the Direction of Pusan (26 July - 20 August 1950) 85

6. Fight for the Pusan Bridgehead (21 August - 14 September 1950) 92

7. Overall Results and Characteristic Picture of Combat Operations of the Forces during the First Stage 99

Chapter 3. Counteroffensive by the American and South Korean Forces
And Their Movement into the North Regions of the DPRK (Second
Stage of the War: 15 September - 24 October 1950)
112

l. Naval Landing at Inchon and Changeover to the Counteroffensive from the Taegu area (15 September - 8 October 1950) 112

2. Continuation of the Offensive of UN and South Korean Forces North of the 38th Parallel (11-24 October 1950) 132

3. Overall Results and Characteristic Picture of Combat Operations of The Forces During the Second Stage 143

Chapter 4. Incursion of Chinese Volunteers into the War. Withdrawal of
UN Forces and the South Korean Army from the DPRK. Combat
Operations in the Regions Leading to the 38th Parallel (Third Stage of
The War: 25 October 1950- 9 June 1951)
153

1 Situation, Status and Force Groupings of the Sides Before the Start of the Third Stage of the War 153

1 Counterstrike by the Chinese Volunteers 13th Group Army in the areas of Unzan, Hichen, and Tokchen (29 October- 5 November 1950) 156

3. Combat Operations by the Chinese Volunteers and Korean Peoples' Army from 6 to 24 November 1950 161

4. Counteroffensive of the Chinese Volunteers and Korean Peoples' Army in North Korea (25 November - 18 December 1950) 163

5. Offensive of the Chinese Volunteers and Korean Peoples' Army from the 38th Parallel (31 December 1950 - 9 January 1951) 180

6. Defensive Operations and Withdrawal of Chinese Volunteers and Korean Peoples' Army to the 38th Parallel (25 January - 21 April

1951) 189

7. Combat Operations by the Chinese Volunteers and Korean Peoples' Army from 22 April to 9 July 1951 209

8. Overall Results and Characteristic Picture of Combat Operations by The Sides in the Third Stage of the War 233

Chapter 5. Combat Operations of the Sides During the Course of Negotiations
for a Ceasefire (Fourth Stage of the War: 10 July 1951 - 27 July 1953)
246

1. Situation and Force Groupings ofthe Sides in Korea as of 10 July 1951 246

2. Combat Operations and the Course of Negotiations during 1951 255

3. Combat Operations and the Course of Negotiations during 1952 266

4. Combat Operations and the Course of Negotiations during 1953 279

5. Overall Results and Characteristic Picture of Combat Operations by The Sides in the Fourth Stage of the War 288

Chapter 6. Political Work in the Forces 298

1. Organization for Political Work in the Forces of the Korean Peoples' Army and in the Chinese Volunteers 298

2. Measures Taken by the Command and Political Organs of the Korean Peoples' Army and the Chinese Volunteers as Psychological Effects Against the Enemy 315

Chapter 7. The Use of Tanks and Self-Propelled Artillery Mounts 319

1. Armored Forces of the Korean Peoples' Army and Chinese Volunteers 319

2. Armored Forces of the American and South Korean Armies 337

Chapter 8. The Use of Artillery 354

1. Artillery of the Korean Peoples' Army and Chinese Volunteers 354

2. Artillery of the American and South Korean Armies 371

Chapter 9. Combat Use of Air Forces 391

1. Air Forces ofthe Korean Peoples' Army and Chinese Volunteers 391

2. Combat Use of Air Forces by the USA 428

Chapter 10. Combat Use of Naval Forces 474

1. Naval Fleet of the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea 474

2 Naval Fleet of the USA 486

Chapter 11. Use of Airborne Forces by the USA 526

Chapter 12. Organization of Air Defense of Objects in the Rear Area and Ways
to Pass Information to Antiaircraft Artillery Means
541

l. Organization of Air Defense of Objects in the Rear Area and Ways to Pass Information to the Forces of Korean Peoples' Army and Chinese Volunteers 541

2. Use of Antiaircraft Artillery by UN Forces to Cover Rear Services Objects 572

Chapter 13. Engineer Support 574

1. Engineer Support to Combat Operations of the Forces of the Korean Peoples' Army and the Chinese Volunteers 574

2. Engineer Support to Combat Operations of the American and South Korean Forces 619

Chapter 14. Organization of Communications 659

1. Communications in the Forces of the Korean Peoples' Army and the Chinese Volunteers 659

2. Communications in the Forces of the American and South Korean Armies 680

Chapter 15. Use of Flame-Incendiary Means and Poisonous Agents by the
Armed Forces of the USA and Some Measures of Protection Against Them
691

1. Flame-Incendiary Means 691

2. Combat Use of Flame-Incendiary Means 700

3. Effects of Flame-Incendiary Mixtures of Napalm on Personnel and Combat Technology 706

4. Measures to Protect Against Flame-Incendiary Means 708

5. Chemical Troops in the US Army in Korea and Their Combat Use 711

6. Use of Poisonous Agents by US Forces in Korea 718

Chapter 16. Organization and Operation of the Rear Services 721

1. Rear Services of the Forces of the Korean Peoples' Army and the Chinese Volunteers 721

2. Some Questions on Organization and Operation of the Rear Services of the US Army 783

Conclusion 797

Appendices - 825

Appendix I - Organization of the Higher Echelons of Command and Control in the Korean Peoples' Army as of 25 June 1950 825

Appendix 2 - Organization of a KPA Infantry Division Prior to the Start of the War 826

Appendix 3 - Comparative Table of Organization of the Combat Units and Subunits of Infantry Divisions of the Opposing Sides 827

Appendix 4 - Comparative Table of Changes to Personnel Strengths and Armaments of the Divisions of the Opposing Sides During the Course of the War 829

Appendix 5 - Comparative Table of Changes to Firepower of the Divisions of the Opposing Sides During the Course of the War 831

Appendix 6 - Comparative Table of Changes to Divisional Capabilities of the Opposing Sides During the Course of the War in Area Covered by Forces, Means, Number of Rounds and Weight of Metal Per Kilometer of Front in the Offense and Defense 832

Appendix 7 - Organization of a KPA Tank Brigade Prior to the Start of the War in Korea 835

Appendix 8 - Organization of a KPA Independent Signals Regiment on 25 June 1950 836

Appendix 9 - Tactical and Technical Characteristics of the Small Arms Of the KPA and CPV 837

Appendix 10 - Tactical and Technical Characteristics of the Artillery of the KPA and CPV 840

Appendix 11 - Tactical and Technical Characteristics of the Tanks and Self-Propelled Artillery Weapons of the Korean Peoples' Army and Chinese Volunteers Used During the War in Korea 843

Appendix 12 - Tactical and Technical Characteristics of the Aircraft Used by the Korean Peoples' Army and Chinese Volunteers 844

Appendix 13 - Organization of a KPA Artillery Division 845

Appendix 14 - Organization of a KPA Infantry Division Prior to the Start of the Third Stage of the War 846

Appendix 15 - Organization of a CPV Infantry Division Prior to the Start of the Fourth Stage of the War 850

Appendix 16 - Organization of the Higher Organs of Command and Control of the South Korean Armed Forces Prior to the Start of the War 854

Appendix 17 - Organization of a South Korean Infantry Division Prior to the Start of the War in Korea 855

Appendix 18 - Organization of a South Korean Infantry Division as Changed on 15 September 1950 856

Appendix 19 - Organization of a South Korean Infantry Division as Changed in 1952 857

Appendix 20 - Tactical and Technical Data on the Primary Models of Small Arms of the American and South Korean Armies 858

Appendix 21 - Tactical and Technical Data on the Primary Models of Artillery Armaments of the American and South Korean Armies 859

Appendix 22 - Tactical and Technical Data on the Primary Models of Tanks, Self-Propelled Artillery Mounts, and Armored Personnel Carriers of the American and South Korean Armies 861

Appendix 23 - Tactical and Technical Data on US Aircraft Participating in the War in Korea 863

Appendix 24 - Organization of a US Infantry Division Prior to the Start of the War in Korea 866

Appendix 25 - Tactical and Technical Data of the Naval Aircraft of the Interventionist Powers 868

Appendix 26 - Tactical and Technical Data of the Primary Classes of UN Warships 870

Appendix 27 - Consist and Manpower of the Formations, Units and Subunits Participating in the War in Korea as Part of the UN Forces (Beside the USA) 880

Appendix 28 - Organization of the Command and Control of the Korean Peoples' Army at the End of June 1950 883

Appendix 29 - Organization of the Command and Control of the Korean Peoples' Army at the End of July 1950 883

Appendix 30 - Chart of the Combat Use of the Formations of the Korean Peoples' Army from 25 June 1950 to 14 September 1950 884

Appendix 31 - Organization of the Command and Control of the Chinese Volunteers as of 15 November 1950 885

Appendix 32 - Number and Makeup of Fighter Aviation of the Korean Peoples' Army and Chinese Volunteers Participating in the War in Korea 886

Appendix 33 - Overall Number of Aircraft of the USA and Other Powers Participating in Combat Operations in Korea 887

Appendix 34 - Combat Makeup of Land Aviation of the USA Participating in Combat Operations in Korea 888

Appendix 35 - Organization of a USMC Infantry Division 890

Appendix 36 - Primary Organization of the Forces and Command of the Inchon Landing Operation 891

Appendix 37 - Organizational Manpower and Material Components of the Primary Units and Subunits for Engineer Forces of the American and South Korean Armies 892

Appendix 38 - Brief Characteristics of the Engineer Technology Used by the Americans in Korea 894

Appendix 39 - Organization of a Independent Frontal Signals Regiment - September 1950 895

Appendix 40 - Organization of an Independent Line Signal Battalion (Frontal Subordination) (July-September 1950) 896

Appendix 41 - Organization of an Independent Line Signal Company (Frontal Subordination) (July-September 1950) 896

Appendix 42 - Organization of Signal Troops of the Korean Peoples' Army as of the End of August 1950 897

Appendix 43 - Organization of the Signal Troops of the Korean Peoples' Army - Central, Front and Army Level Subordination 898

Appendix 44 - Organization of the Radio Communications of the General Staff of the Korean Peoples' Army During the First Stage of the War 899

Appendix 45 - Organization of the Radio Communications of the General Staff of the Korean Peoples' Army During the VPU in Chorwon 900

Appendix 46 - Organization of the Radio Communications of the Main Command of the Korean Peoples Army at the Start of the Third Stage of the War 901

Appendix 47 - Organization of the Radio Communications of the Korean Peoples' Army on 20 March 1951 (Main Command Radio Nets) 902

Appendix 48 - Organization of the Radio Communications of the Korean Peoples' Army on 20 March 1951 (Front Command Radio Nets) 903

Appendix 49 - Organization of the Radio Communications of a Korean Peoples' Army Infantry Division in Offensive Combat with Sufficient Numbers of Radio Assets Available 904

Appendix 50 - Organization of the Radio Communications of a Korean Peoples' Army Infantry Division in Offensive Combat with Limited Numbers of Radio Assets Available 904

Appendix 51 - Organization of Landline Communications of the 1st KPA Army During the First Stage of the War 905

Appendix 52 - Organization of Landline Communications of the 2nd KPA Army During the First Stage of the War 906

Appendix 53 - Organization of Radio Communications of the 8th US Army in May 1953 (Primary Nets) 907

Appendix 54 - Tactical and Technical Data of American Radio Sets 908

Appendix 55 - Characteristics of Incendiary Agents Used During the War in Korea 912

Appendix 56 - Structure of the Central Rear Services Organs of the Korean Peoples' Army at the Start of the War 913

Appendix 57 - Structure of the Central Rear Services Organs of the Korean Peoples' Army on 1 April 1951 914

Appendix 58 - Organization of the Road Directorate of Rear Services 914

Appendix 59 - Organization of Rear Services of the Chinese Volunteers on 1 April 1951 915

Appendix 60 - Organization of Rear Services of the Chinese Volunteers on 9 November 1951 916

Appendix 61 - Organization of Rear Services Of 40th CVA Army on 23 January 1951 917

Appendix 62 - Organization of Rear Services of an Infantry Regiment 918

Appendix 63 - Layout of the Coastal Ship Repair Factory at Synkhori 918

Appendix 64 - Organization of a Chinese Railway Troops Division 919

Appendix 65 - Organization of Medical Services of the Korean Peoples' Army at the End of 1951 920

Appendix 66 - Organization of Medical Support to the Forces of the Chinese Volunteers at Various Stages of the War in Korea 921

Appendix 67 - Organization of the Command and Control of Rear Services of American Forces in Japan and Korea 922

Appendix 68 - Organization of Rear Services and Disposition of Staffs of the Regional Commands of Rear Services of American Forces in Japan and Korea as of 1 January 1953 922

Appendix 69 - Organization of Rear Services of a US Field Army 923

Appendix 70 - Organization of Rear Services of a US Infantry Division 924

Appendix 71 - Organization of a Quartermaster Company in a US Infantry Division 924

Table of Contents 925

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