Decisive Military Victory in Operation Chromite

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Operation Chromite led to one of the most decisive military victories in modern warfare. The landing at the port of Inchon not only led to the capture of Seoul, but also the capture of Kimpo Airfield which allowed for aviation assets to assist the advancing force. Against great odds and opposition the United States Army, Navy and Marines led the United Nations force in capturing a key port and severing the logistical supply line of the North Korean People’s Army (NKPA). Many of the joint force operations, planning and tactics used in the execution of this amphibious assault set the stage for the modern day air assault.

History
In the late 1940’s the United States became involved in the United Nations action to stop the spread of communism against North Korea. For many months the U.N. force had been beaten back by a persistent NKPA force. The tactic chosen by the North Korean’s was to conduct a swift frontal assault with a rapid follow-on assault from both the left and right flanks. This proved extremely effective and caused the loss of Seoul and had forced the U.N. forces to fall back to the very tip of the Korean peninsula. Here the U.N. force, commanded by General Walton H. Walker, and the Eighth Army could fall back no further without retreating off the Korean peninsula altogether. General Walker formed his remaining troops into what would be known as the Pusan Perimeter.1 Still unfazed, the North Korean army battered the lines of the Eighth Army and many casualties resulted. It was clear that although the force could remain here indefinitely with naval support many U.S. troops would be lost and no new ground would be gained. For six weeks the North Korean Army conducted attacks trying to breach the line and it wa...

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...le simultaneously attacking from the enemy rear is also used today and creates two fronts on an unsuspecting enemy rapidly. Finally, providing an over watch position over the advancing force is used routinely today by aviation. This provides a platform to not only provide early warning, but also to provide effective supporting fires.
The overall execution of this amphibious assault has developed into the modern day air assault. The method of choosing the terrain on which to fight the battle is not new but doing so by rapidly massing on the flanks or rear of the enemy through maneuver was started by this battle. As MacArthur demonstrated, an air assault becomes the most effective method for disrupting and surrounding the enemy and denying terrain. Also, by choosing a tactically advantageous location a much smaller force can subdue an enemy of greater numbers.

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