How Did Allied Troops Hold the Line at Chipyong-ni?

• The fighting lasted three days.
• They were surrounded on all sides.
• Air support was very important.
• The soldiers held their ground firmly.
• It stopped a large enemy attack.

The Korean War began in June 1950 when North Korea attacked the South. By early 1951, the fighting moved back and forth across the border area. Both sides struggled for control of the rugged mountains and valleys. General Matthew Ridgway took command of the United Nations forces during this difficult time. He wanted his troops to stand and fight instead of always pulling back. The battle at Chipyong-ni was a major test of this new plan. Soldiers needed to prove that they could hold their ground against large enemy forces. This town was a key spot where several important roads met. Keeping it was vital to protecting the rest of the army nearby.

In February 1951, a large group of Chinese soldiers surrounded the town of Chipyong-ni. Inside the town, about 5,000 soldiers from the United States and France were trapped. The weather was very cold and the ground was covered in hard ice. When night fell, the Chinese army launched powerful waves of attacks against the perimeter. Soldiers from the U.S. 23rd Infantry Regiment and the French Battalion fought together closely. The noise of whistles, bugles, and gunfire filled the dark night air. The defenders used machine guns and artillery to keep the enemy away. During the day, American planes flew overhead to drop needed supplies like food and extra bullets. The soldiers stayed in their deep fighting holes to stay safe from the heavy fire. They were low on supplies but they refused to give up their positions. After three long days of intense fighting, the Chinese army realized they could not win. They finally stopped their attacks and began to move away from the area. This was the first time that United Nations troops stopped a major Chinese attack in the open field.

This battle proved that the Allied troops could beat the Chinese army in a stand-up fight. It helped change the momentum of the war.

• 23rd Infantry Regiment
• French Battalion
• 1st Marine Division
• Chinese People's Volunteer Army

• 1.Department of Defense Archives
• 2.Korean War Veterans Association
• 3.History Channel