The Korean War (1950 - 1953)

The Korean War (1950 - 1953)

1. June 25, 1950: North Korea crosses the 38th Parallel, invading South Korea

   • NK tanks reach Seoul

2. June 27, 1950: Truman commits US Naval and Air support to South Korea

   • General MacArthur soon flies out to South Korean headquarters
     • North Korean People's Army capture SK headquarters in Suwon

3. August 27, 1950: US planes accidentally attack Manchurian airfields

4. September 15, 1950: With US/UN/ROK forces pushed back to small area around Pusan

   • 15th - 19th: MacArthur launches the Inchon Invasion (huge success)
     • Allows them to recapture Seoul and push northwards

5. September 27, 1950: MacArthur gives OK for US forces to cross the 38th Parallel

   • Rhee's government take back Seoul

6. October 9, 1950: US Army crosses 38th Parallel

   • Truman puts limits on MacArthur
     • MacArthur ignores these limits and gets too close to Yalu River and Chinese border
     • US accidently capture Chinese troops

7. October 19, 1950: US forces occupy Pyongyang

8. November: Chinese forces move into NK and push US troops back down to 38th parallel

   • Seoul is recaptured by communists

9. November 30, 1950: In press conference, Truman admits US may be considering using A-Bomb

10. April 5th 1951: Truman dismisses MacArthur

    • US push communists back up to 38th parallel
    • Seoul changes hands for 4th time
    • Replaced by Ridgeway who is merciless

11. July 8, 1951: Peace talks begin at Kaesong

    • October 25, 1951: Peace talks resume at Panmunjom

12. June 1952: Washington authorizes bombing Korean power plants on the Yalu river

    • US air attack Pyongyang

13. July 27, 1953: Peace Treaty signed at Panmunjom. 38th parallel reset as boundary between communist North and anti-communist South. Cold War tensions continue