In the last battle to resist US aggression and aid Korea, the US army witnessed the Korean army being disabled by the volunteers, why didn't they come to the rescue?

In the last battle to resist US aggression and aid Korea, the US army witnessed the Korean army being disabled by the volunteers, why didn't they come to the rescue?

In July 1953, a shocking scene unfolded on the Korean battlefield. The Chinese People's Volunteers launched a fierce offensive against the South Korean army, launching a thrilling battle in the Jincheng area. The artillery roared, the smoke of gunpowder filled the air, and the ROK army retreated one after another, suffering heavy losses. However, what is puzzling is that the US military, which has always been inseparable from the Volunteer Army, chose to stand by at this critical moment. They witnessed the rout of their allies, the South Korean army, but did not lend a helping hand. This unusual move raises many questions: Why did the US military make such a decision? Is it a strategic consideration or an ulterior motive? Are there cracks in the U.S.-South Korea alliance? How will this battle affect the course of the Korean War? Let's dive into the complex game behind this battle.

1. The background and outbreak of the Battle of Jincheng

In July 1951, the situation on the Korean battlefield began to change subtly. The fierce artillery fire gradually weakened, and was replaced by a situation of fighting and talking. This marked the beginning of a new phase in the Korean War. The United States side from the initial vow to defeat the volunteers, but now had to deal with it carefully. They are soberly aware that the strength of the volunteer army is far from being as fragile as it seems.

Over time, the United States and other United Nations forces have come to understand that even with advanced weaponry and numerical superiority, it is difficult to crush the iron will of the Chinese People's Volunteers. This shift in perception prompted the US side to decide to start armistice talks with the Chinese and North Korean governments. However, the road to negotiation has not been easy.

In 1953, when China, North Korea and the United States had reached an armistice agreement, an unexpected factor suddenly disrupted the situation. South Korean leader Syngman Rhee unexpectedly refused to sign the armistice agreement. This move not only disrupted the course of the war, which was about to end, but also caused contradictions between the United States and South Korea.

Rhee's opposition stemmed from his persistent pursuit of reunification on the Korean Peninsula. He believes that once an armistice is signed, the dream of a unified peninsula will be shattered, and United States' aid to Korea may also be reduced. Based on this consideration, Rhee Syngman ignored the dissuasion of United States and openly declared that he would resolutely not sign if he could not drive the other side out of North Korea.

Rhee's hardline attitude was quickly put into action. In 1953, Korea privately detained nearly 30,000 KPA prisoners without the consent of China and North Korea. This act seriously violated the provisions of the armistice agreement on the management of prisoners of war, and aroused strong opposition from both China and North Korea. What is even more shocking is that Syngman Rhee then incorporated these prisoners of war into the South Korean army, openly provoking the Chinese and North Korean sides, threatening to "fight back the Yalu River."

Syngman Rhee's series of actions not only angered China and North Korea, but also aroused strong opposition from the international community. United Kingdom and other countries within the United Nations forces expressed dissatisfaction, and United States even came up with the idea of abandoning Syngman Rhee. Faced with such a situation, China and the DPRK have no choice but to take tough measures in response.

On June 19, 1953, Chairman Mao Zedong launched a strong condemnation to the United States in the form of a telegram. At the same time, Kim Il Sung, commander-in-chief of the Korean People's Army, and Peng Dehuai, commander-in-chief of the Chinese People's Volunteers, sent a joint telegram to the United Nations, pointing out United States' erroneous stance and conniving attitude in this incident and demanding that the United States shoulder corresponding responsibility.

Only then did the United States realize the gravity of the situation. In order to save face, the US side tried to persuade Syngman Rhee to accept the armistice agreement. However, Syngman Rhee put forward a series of harsh conditions, including demanding that the Chinese People's Volunteers withdraw from North Korea completely, disarm all armed forces in North Korea, stop supporting North Korea by various countries, and United States unconditional support for Korea. These conditions are actually aimed at further provoking war and taking the opportunity to unify the Korean Peninsula.

In the face of Korea's "active war" behavior, the volunteers had to take decisive measures to stop it in order to maintain the seriousness of the armistice agreement. Considering that the United States and China and North Korea had reached a consensus, the volunteers decided not to take the initiative to attack the American army, but to target the Korea army that broke the armistice agreement. The purpose of this decision is to force the armistice to get back on track through military pressure, and to give our side the initiative in future negotiations.

In this context, the third phase of the counterattack campaign, the Battle of Jincheng, officially began. This battle was not only a response to Korea's provocations, but also an important stage for the volunteers to show their strength. After the experience of the previous war, the overall strength of the volunteers has been significantly improved, and they have a deeper understanding of the tactics of the United Nations army. Coupled with the support of the Soviet Union in terms of weapons and equipment, the Volunteer Army had already occupied a considerable initiative on the battlefield at this time.

2. Pre-war preparations of the Volunteer Army

Before the Battle of Jincheng broke out, the Chinese People's Volunteers made careful pre-war preparations. These preparations covered strategic deployment, weapons and equipment upgrades, and intelligence collection and analysis, laying a solid foundation for the ultimate victory.

First of all, in terms of strategic deployment, the headquarters of the Volunteer Army has carefully designed the battle plan based on the experience of the previous war. It was no accident that they chose the Jincheng area as the main breakthrough. Located in the central part of Korea, the terrain of Geumseong is complex, with both high ground conducive to defense and open areas convenient for attack. The volunteers believe that if they can make a breakthrough here, it will not only be able to damage the morale of the South Korean army, but also gain more bargaining chips for follow-up negotiations.

In order to ensure the success of the campaign, the Volunteer Army adopted the tactic of "blossoming on all sides". In addition to the main attack on Jincheng, feints were carried out in several other directions to distract the enemy's attention and forces. This multi-point flowering tactical design can not only confuse the enemy, but also maximize the advantages of the volunteer army.

Secondly, in terms of weapons and equipment, the Volunteer Army has undergone large-scale upgrades and replenishments. Thanks to the assistance of the Soviet Union, the Volunteer Army received a batch of advanced weapons and equipment. The most striking of these is the Katyusha rocket artillery system. This weapon has the characteristics of long range and fierce firepower, and is capable of inflicting great damage on enemy positions in a short period of time. In addition to this, the Volunteer Army was equipped with a large number of heavy howitzers and mortars, which played a huge role in later campaigns.

In terms of infantry weapons, the Volunteer Army has also undergone a comprehensive upgrade. Each infantry squad was equipped with a light machine gun, which greatly increased the density of fire in skirmishes. At the same time, the number of anti-tank weapons, such as bazookas, has increased, which prepares for a possible armored assault.

It is worth mentioning that the Volunteer Army has also particularly strengthened its night combat capability. They equipped part of the troops with night vision equipment and conducted intensive night combat training. This preparation laid the foundation for later night assault operations.

In terms of logistical support, the volunteer army has also made full preparations. They established a number of concealed ammunition depots and grain storage points near the front line, ensuring the continuous combat capability of the front-line troops. At the same time, special transport teams were formed to replenish ammunition and supplies in a timely manner during the battle.

Finally, in terms of intelligence gathering and analysis, the volunteers showed a high degree of professionalism. They sent a large number of reconnaissance teams to go deep behind enemy lines to gather intelligence. These reconnaissance groups not only drew detailed topographic maps, but also succeeded in obtaining important information about the enemy's deployment and fortifications.

In addition, the volunteers also made full use of the support of the local North Korean population. Many North Korean civilians volunteered to provide intelligence to the volunteers, and some even risked their lives to infiltrate enemy-occupied areas to gather information. This civilian intelligence network greatly complements the intelligence sources of the Volunteer Army.

After obtaining the intelligence, the intelligence analysts of the Volunteer Army conducted an in-depth and detailed study. They not only analyzed the deployment of enemy forces and weapons and equipment, but also studied the combat style of enemy commanders. Through these analyses, the volunteers had a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy's forces, which provided an important reference for formulating operational plans.

In particular, it is worth mentioning that the Volunteer Army also noted the contradictions between the United States and South Korea. They keenly captured the U.S. military's discontent with Syngman Rhee and factored this information into strategic considerations. This discovery provided an important basis for later tactical arrangements.

After completing these comprehensive pre-war preparations, the volunteers were confident in the upcoming Battle of Jincheng. They believe that with careful strategic deployment, advanced weaponry, and accurate intelligence analysis, they will certainly be able to win this crucial battle and create favorable conditions for the final end of the war.

With all the preparations in place, the officers and men of the volunteer army were gearing up and waiting for the horn of the battle to sound. They know that this battle will not only affect the course of the Korean War, but will also affect the situation in the entire East Asian region. At this critical moment, every volunteer soldier was ready to sacrifice everything for victory.

3. Strategic considerations of the U.S. military

At the time of the outbreak of the Battle of Jincheng, the strategic calculations of the US military were particularly complicated. As the main force of the United Nations forces, the U.S. military was supposed to lend a helping hand to its allies, the South Korean military, when it faced a crisis. However, in this crucial battle, the US military chose to stand by and watch. There are many factors behind this decision, including political, military and diplomatic considerations.

First, from a political point of view, the United States government was determined by this time to end the Korean War. Since the outbreak of the war in 1950, the United States has invested a lot of human and material resources in this protracted conflict. As time went on, support for the war in the United States declined, and anti-war voices grew louder. Especially after Eisenhower was elected president in 1952, ending the Korean War became one of the new administration's top priorities.

Against this background, the US commanders received clear instructions from Washington: to avoid large-scale military operations so as not to affect the ongoing armistice negotiations. This means that even if the South Korean military faces a crisis, the US military cannot easily intervene to avoid triggering a larger conflict.

Secondly, from a military point of view, the US military has a clearer understanding of the strength of the volunteer army. After the tempering of the previous war, the combat effectiveness of the volunteer army has been significantly improved. Especially in terms of weapons and equipment, with the arrival of Soviet assistance, the firepower superiority of the Volunteer Army became increasingly obvious. The US commanders are well aware that if they intervene rashly at this time, they are likely to suffer heavy losses.

In addition, the US military is also facing a dilemma in the distribution of troops. Due to the relative stability of the situation on the battlefield in Korea, the United States has begun to transfer some elite troops to other regions. For example, in response to changes in the situation in India Shina, some U.S. troops originally stationed in North Korea were redeployed to Southeast Asia. As a result, the available forces of the US military on the Korean battlefield are limited, and it is difficult to organize a large-scale counterattack in a short period of time.

From a tactical point of view, the US commanders believe that the Volunteer Army's offensive is likely to be a limited operation, rather than a prelude to a full-scale offensive. They judged that the main purpose of the Volunteer Army was to counter the arrogance of the Syngman Rhee regime and force it to accept an armistice, rather than to completely change the tide of the war. Based on this judgment, the US military did not believe that there was any need to risk intervention, and that it was only necessary to readjust the defensive line after the end of the battle.

On the diplomatic front, the United States government also faces a complicated situation. On the one hand, United States needs to maintain its alliance with Korea; On the other hand, United States prefers to end the war as soon as possible and avoid a larger conflict with China. In this case, the United States government has adopted a delicate balancing act: it expresses its support for Korea in public but exercises restraint in practice.

It is worth noting that this attitude of the US military is also related to its dissatisfaction with the Syngman Rhee regime. Syngman Rhee's tough stance on the prisoner of war issue seriously affected the process of armistice negotiations, which caused dissatisfaction among the United States government. Some senior United States officials even believe that inflicting some setbacks on Rhee's regime could help push the armistice process forward.

In addition, the US military has also taken into account the factor of international public opinion. In the international environment at that time, the United States had already faced a lot of criticism for its involvement in the Korean War. If it intervenes in the battle on a large scale at this time, it is likely to trigger opposition from more countries and be detrimental to the international image of United States.

In terms of specific military deployments, the US military has adopted a series of preventive measures. They strengthened the monitoring of the movements of the volunteers, and at the same time made some adjustments to the defense line of the South Korean army. The US military has also prepared some reserves in the rear to deal with possible emergencies. But in general, the attitude of the US military is to wait and see, rather than actively intervene.

It is worth mentioning that this attitude of the US military has also aroused dissatisfaction on the part of Korea. The Korea government and military have repeatedly asked the US military for help, but have not received a positive response. This has further aggravated the contradictions between the United States and South Korea, and has also laid hidden dangers for the development of relations between the two countries in the future.

Overall, the U.S. military's strategic calculations in the Battle of Jincheng reflected the complexity of United States policy in the late Korean War. With the broader goal of ending the war, the U.S. military had to find a balance between multiple factors, which led to a seemingly negative attitude toward the crisis of its allies. While this decision may have affected U.S.-South Korea relations in the short term, it set the stage for an eventual end to the war in the long run.

Fourth, the course and turning point of the campaign

The prelude to the Battle of Jincheng began on July 13, 1953. That night, the Volunteer Army launched a large-scale offensive in the Jincheng area. The scale and intensity of this attack far exceeded the expectations of the ROK army, showing the determination of the volunteers in this operation.

At the beginning of the offensive, the Volunteers first launched a heavy artillery attack. Hundreds of cannons fired at the same time, forming a dense network of fire. These artillery fires not only destroyed many of the South Korean army's fortifications, but also cut off their communication lines, causing confusion in command. Under the cover of artillery fire, the infantry units of the Volunteer Army quickly advanced.

In the face of such a fierce offensive, the 2nd Division of the ROK Army quickly fell into passivity. Their forward positions were broken through in a short time, and many soldiers had to withdraw from their original positions. Especially on several heights north of Geumseong, the resistance of the South Korean army was quickly broken down. The loss of these heights has put the entire defensive line in jeopardy.

On the second day of the campaign, on July 14, the battle reached a fever pitch. The Volunteer Army continued to maintain a high-intensity offensive and constantly broke through in depth. They used the tactic of "interspersing", that is, immediately after breaking through the enemy's defensive line, they advanced in depth and cut off the enemy's retreat and supply lines. This tactic has put the South Korean army in a more passive position.

Faced with this situation, the South Korean army tried to organize a counterattack. They mobilized reserves in an attempt to recapture the lost positions. However, due to the obvious firepower superiority of the volunteers, the counterattack of the South Korean army had little effect. In some localized areas, the ROK army even retreated.

On the third day of the battle, July 15, the situation became even more unfavorable for the South Korean army. On this day, the Volunteers captured several key commanding heights, and the gains and losses of these heights had a decisive impact on the entire battle situation. The South Korean defenders on these heights were almost completely annihilated, which not only caused heavy losses in personnel, but also severely damaged the morale of the South Korean army.

At the same time, another unit of the Volunteer Army went around the flank of the South Korean army and launched a surprise attack on it. The raid disrupted the South Korean army's defensive deployment, forcing them to adjust their defensive line. However, in the process of adjustment, the ROK army exposed more weaknesses, and the volunteers seized the opportunity to further expand the results.

Throughout the campaign, the U.S. military maintained a wait-and-see attitude. Despite repeated requests for support from the ROK military, the U.S. military provided only limited air support and artillery cover, and did not send ground troops into the battle. This attitude has undoubtedly exacerbated the plight of the ROK military.

By 16 July, the campaign had reached a critical turning point. On this day, the Volunteers launched a general offensive with the goal of completely breaking through the defense line of the South Korean army. In this offensive, the Volunteer Army used all its firepower and strength. Dense artillery fire, ferocious charges, and clever tactical use caused the South Korean defense line to finally collapse.

The 2nd Division of the ROK Army suffered a devastating blow on this day. Not only did they lose most of their positions, but a large number of soldiers were captured or missing. The division commander, Major General Yu Baek-hwan, was seriously wounded in the battle, which further exacerbated the confusion of the South Korean army.

With the collapse of the South Korean army's defense line, the Volunteer Army quickly advanced in depth. They captured a number of strategic points, including several important supply bases and command centers. These victories not only expanded the results of the battle, but also created favorable conditions for subsequent operations.

It is worth noting that in the later stages of the campaign, the pace of the offensive of the Volunteer Army slowed down significantly. This is not due to a decrease in their combat effectiveness, but for strategic reasons. The command of the Volunteer Army believes that the expected strategic goals have been achieved, and there is no need to continue to advance.

By July 20, the Battle of Jincheng was basically over. In this battle, which lasted a week, the Volunteer Army won a landslide victory. Not only did they defeat one of the main divisions of the South Korean army, but they also advanced more than 10 kilometers and occupied large strategic areas. This victory not only dealt a heavy blow to the South Korean army militarily, but also dealt a huge blow to the Syngman Rhee regime politically and psychologically.

After the battle, the Volunteer Army did not continue to expand the results, but took the initiative to stop the offensive. This decision reflects the strategic wisdom of the command of the Volunteer Army. They are well aware that excessively expanding the results of the war may trigger the full involvement of the US military, which is not in line with the Chinese side's desire to end the war as soon as possible.

In general, the course of the Battle of Jincheng showed the superb tactical level and strategic vision of the Volunteer Army. They not only defeated the enemy tactically, but also strategically achieved the intended goals, creating favorable conditions for the final armistice negotiations. This battle also became one of the most representative examples of the late Korean War, and had a profound impact on the final direction of the war.

V. The impact and significance of the battle

The end of the Battle of Geumseong marked the end of the Korean War. The battle had a profound impact on the course of the war, the attitudes of the parties involved, and the aftermath of the war.

First of all, from a military point of view, the Battle of Geumseong completely shattered the illusions of the Syngman Rhee regime to continue the war. During the campaign, the South Korean army suffered heavy losses. According to statistics, the Second Division alone suffered more than 14,000 casualties, including more than 5,000 prisoners. Losses of this magnitude are devastating blows for a main division. Not only that, but the South Korean army also lost a large amount of weapons and equipment, including tanks, artillery, and various vehicles. These losses were irreparable in the short term and greatly weakened the combat effectiveness of the ROK army.

More importantly, the battle completely shook the confidence of the South Korean army. Previously, the Syngman Rhee regime had always declared that it wanted to "advance north for reunification", believing that it could rely on United States support to defeat the communist army. However, the results of the Battle of Geumseong clearly showed that the South Korean army could not withstand the attack of the Volunteer Army, even with the support of the United States. The impact of this reality forced Syngman Rhee to reconsider his position.

From a political point of view, the Battle of Jincheng accelerated the process of signing the armistice agreement. Shortly after the end of the campaign, on July 27, 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed. This is not a coincidence, but the result of a direct impetus from the Battle of Jincheng. The victory in the battle enabled China and the DPRK to gain greater initiative at the negotiating table. At the same time, the campaign also sent a clear signal to United States and Korea that there would be a greater cost to continue the war.

For United States, the Battle of Jincheng was also an important turning point. Although the U.S. military was not directly involved in the campaign, the outcome of the campaign undoubtedly affected United States' strategic calculations. The United States government realizes that continued support for Rhee's hardline stance could lead to a larger conflict, which is contrary to United States' goal of ending the war as soon as possible. Therefore, after the end of the campaign, the United States increased pressure on the Syngman Rhee regime to accept the armistice.

The Battle of Geumseong also had a profound impact on the geopolitical landscape of the Korean Peninsula. After the battle, although the Volunteer Army was victorious, it did not continue to advance. On the contrary, they chose to stop the offensive on their own initiative and maintained the relative stability of the front. This decision actually laid the foundation for the future demarcation line on the Korean peninsula. The Line of Actual Control at the end of the campaign basically became the later military demarcation line, which is known today as the "38th Parallel".

In the long run, the impact of the Battle of Geumseong on the Korean Peninsula went far beyond that. The battle became the last large-scale battle in the Korean War, which not only ended the war, but also shaped the post-war geopolitical landscape. After the battle, the Korean Peninsula entered a state of long-term division, and a situation of confrontation between the North and the South was formed. This situation continues to this day, becoming one of the most complex geopolitical issues in East Asia.

For China, the victory in the Battle of Jincheng was of special significance. This battle not only proved the combat effectiveness of the Volunteer Army, but also demonstrated China's influence in international affairs. Through this campaign, China has sent a clear message to the world: it has become a regional power to be reckoned with. This has laid the foundation for China to play a greater role in the international arena in the future.

The Battle of Geumseong also had a profound impact on Korea. Although the North Korean army was not directly involved in the battle, the victory in the battle greatly enhanced the status and voice of the DPRK in the post-war reconstruction. At the same time, the victory became an important source of North Korean official propaganda, being used to emphasize the superiority of the socialist system.

From the perspective of military history, the Battle of Jincheng left valuable experience for future generations. The tactical innovation and strategic vision displayed by the volunteers in this battle have become an important case studied by military experts. In particular, how the Volunteer Army won the victory with inferior equipment, how to skillfully use the terrain advantage, and how to suppress the enemy's firepower superiority at the tactical level have all become topics worthy of in-depth study.

In addition, the Battle of Jincheng also had a profound impact on the military landscape of East Asia. The outcome of the campaign forced United States to reassess its military deployment in East Asia. In response to possible similar scenarios, the United States strengthened its military presence in Korea and Japan after the war, a deployment that continues to this day and is an important part of the East Asian region's military landscape.

In general, the Battle of Geumseong, as the final battle of the Korean War, had an impact that went far beyond the military dimension. It not only hastened the end of the war, but also shaped the post-war geopolitical landscape, which had a profound impact on peace and stability in East Asia. The significance of this battle needs to be understood and grasped from a more macro and long-term perspective.