Jump to content

II Corps (South Korea)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
II Corps
Active24 July 1950 - present
Country Republic of Korea
BranchRepublic of Korea Army
RoleOffensive force
SizeCorps
Part ofGround Operations Command
Nickname(s)Double Dragons
ColorsRed
EngagementsKorean War
Commanders
Current
commander
Lieutenant General Ko Hyun-soo
Notable
commanders
Yu Jae-hung
Paik Sun Yup
Kim Kwan-jin

The II Corps (nicknamed "Double Dragons") is a corps of the Republic of Korea Army and it was first activated during the Korean War.

History

[edit]

The II Corps was created on July 24, 1950, just before the Battle of Pusan Perimeter, consisting of the 1st Infantry Division and the 6th Infantry Division. During the Battle of the Pusan Perimeter (July–September, 1950), its headquarters was at Hamch’ang.[1]

Currently, its headquarters is located in Chuncheon.

Korean War

[edit]

Liberation of South Korea

[edit]

Lieutenant General Walton Walker of the US Army ordered that ROK Army units, scattered by the North Korean invasion, be organized into two corps. Thus the II Corps was born July 24, 1950, to defend the Pusan Perimeter.[2]

Invading North Korea

[edit]

On October 10, 1950, the II Corps advanced north of the 38th parallel through central North Korea. They were operating in support of the ROK I Corps which was under the command of General Walker. After encountering minimal resistance, the corps veered northwest.[2]

Defeat at Ch'ongch'on

[edit]

On October 24, hoping to end the conflict quickly, General Douglas MacArthur, Commander of UN forces, ordered an offensive to the northern border of North Korea and form a defensive line at the Yalu River. At the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River in October 1950, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army sent the 13th Army in to catch the II Corps off guard. In doing so, battles were fought in various places such as Onjong and Unsan. By November 4, 1950, the II Corps and the 8th Regiment of the US 1st Cavalry Division were destroyed.[3]

Structure

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Korean War: The Outbreak". www.army.mil.
  2. ^ a b "Overview of the Korean War - Korean War Project". www.koreanwar.org. Retrieved 2015-11-09.
  3. ^ Stewart, Richard W (ed.). "The Korean War: The Chinese Intervention". history.army.mil. U.S. Army Center of Military History. Archived from the original on 3 December 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2011.