[65] Aided by total surprise, the PVA 113th Division of the 38th Corps first shattered the ROK 7th Infantry Division's Reconnaissance Company on the division's right flank,[66][67] creating a 0.5 mi (800 m) gap between the ROK 7th and 8th Infantry Division. ISBN, Farrar-Hockley, Anthony (1990). [167] At the same time, the US 25th Infantry Division Military Police mistakenly reported that the alternative retreat route from Kunu-ri to Anju was also blocked by Chinese. [140] After receiving news on the Chinese attack against the 25th Division across the Kuryong River, Paik had also directed his division to defend against the upcoming Chinese counteroffensive. [84] During the Home-by-Christmas Offensive, US 9th Infantry Regiment led the division's advance northward along the Ch'ongch'on River, while the US 38th Infantry Regiment was placed on the division's right flank. All rights reserved. [13] Alarmed by this development, China's Chairman Mao Zedong ordered the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA) to intervene in Korea and to launch the First Phase Campaign against the UN forces. Anticipating this reaction, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army Commander Peng Dehuai planned a counteroffensive, dubbed the "Second Phase Campaign", against the advancing UN forces. [204], Map of US Eighth Army retreat, December 1–23, 1950, In the aftermath of the battle, US Eighth Army's casualty number exceeded 11,000 in the first count. [46] At the same time, the 39th and 40th Corps would hold the US IX Corps in place while preventing any reinforcements to the ROK II Corps. [59] [144] After midnight, the Chinese attacks broke through the Korean lines and captured Yongsan-dong, resulting in the loss of the ROK 11th, 15th and US 35th Infantry Regiment's command posts. Battle of the Ch’ongch’on River. The Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River, also known as the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on, was a decisive battle in the Korean War, and it took place from November 25 to December 2, 1950, along the Ch'ongch'on River Valley in the northwestern part of North Korea. [139] At the same time, the US 24th Infantry Division of the US I Corps would advance towards Chongju on the ROK 1st Infantry Division's left flank. The Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River (Chinese: 清川江战役; pinyin: Qīngchuānjiāng Zhànyì), also known as the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on, was a decisive battle in the Korean War, and it took place from November 25 to December 2, 1950, along the Ch'ongch'on River Valley in the northwestern part of North Korea. https://historica.fandom.com/wiki/Battle_of_the_Ch%27ongch%27on_River?oldid=89475. [63] Given the importance of this assault, Han Xianchu, one of Peng's deputies, personally commanded the 38th and 42nd Corps for the rest of the battle. The 23d Infantry was to defend the left half of the line, including the east bank of the Ch'ongch'on, while the … The Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River (25 November-2 December 1950) was a major battle of the Korean War that occurred in November--December 1950. [33] In an effort to stabilize the front on November 28, Walker ordered the US 2nd Infantry Division to retreat from Kujang-dong and to set up a new defensive line at Kunu-ri. [133], With only the 2nd Battalion of Task Force Wilson remaining combat effective on the morning of November 27, Wilson ordered the task force to withdraw to Ipsok. While the ROK 7th Infantry Division was being annihilated at Tokchon by the PVA 38th Corps, the ROK 8th Infantry Division was also being routed, at Yongwon by the PVA 42nd Corps. The Longest Retreat in U.S History: The Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River in the Korean War - Part I. However, there were already 180,000 Chinese troops in Korea by that time, and the Chinese general Peng Dehuai planned a two-pronged offensive at the Chosin Reservoir and the Ch'ongch'on River. [87] Finally, the 118th Division would flank the Americans from the west and capture Kujang-dong from the rear. [76] With the entire division dispersed, the ROK 8th Infantry Division headquarters and the ROK 16th Infantry Regiment broke out of Maengsan on November 27 and retreated from the battlefield. [71] Surprised by this development, the ROK 8th Infantry Division ordered the 16th Infantry Regiment to block the Chinese advance while the ROK 10th and 21st Infantry Regiment were retreating from Yongwon. 118th Mechanized Infantry Brigade (People's Republic of China)-Wikipedia. [89] Unaware that the 1st Battalion of the US 23rd Infantry Regiment had pulled up behind the US 61st Field Artillery Battalion,[90] four Sharp Sword Companies from the PVA 359th Regiment of the 120th Division proceeded to cross the river and attacked the US artillery positions. ISBN, Ryan, Mark A.; Finkelstein, David M.; McDevitt, Michael A. [15] Although Chinese forces were able to break through the UN line, logistics difficulties forced the Chinese to withdraw on November 5, 1950. [150] On 7 a.m. at November 28, the PVA 113th Division of the 38th Corps occupied the town of Samo-ri,[150] placing it right in the path of the 5th Cavalry Regiment and besides the Kunu-ri—Sunchon road. [143] The PVA 114th Division of the 38th Corps would capture Kunu-ri by marching westward on the road from Tokchon, while the PVA 112th Division would follow on a parallel route through the hills north of the road. Tap to unmute. ISBN, Spurr, Russell (1988). [180], The PVA 38th Corps, on the other hand, was marching towards the Kunu-ri—Sunchon road virtually unopposed. ISBN, Mahoney, Kevin (2001). [130] Chinese forces in the rear had also attacked the task force's artillery at Ipsok, preventing fire support during the night. [181] An hour and half later, the advance platoon from the 5th Cavalry Regiment was ambushed and destroyed. [185] Keiser sent the Reconnaissance Company and the remnants of the 9th Infantry Regiment to dislodge the Chinese, but the roadblock held firm even with a platoon of tanks attacking it. [138] [86] When the aerial reconnaissance detected an increase in Chinese activities, the 38th Infantry Regiment's A Company was sent on a patrol into Chinese territory. [143] On the evening of November 27, the PVA 66th Corps launched a massive attack against the ROK 1st Infantry Division, the US 5th Regimental Combat Team of the 24th Infantry Division and the US 35th Infantry Regiment. Définitions de Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River, synonymes, antonymes, dérivés de Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River, dictionnaire analogique de Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River (anglais) Compra Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River: Korean War, Ch'ongch'on River, Douglas MacArthur, People's Volunteer Army, Peng Dehuai, Eighth United States Army, 38th parallel north. [46] At 10 a.m. on November 24, the ROK 7th Infantry Division on the II Corps' left flank attacked north from Tokchon. [182] The 113th Division then occupied the valley containing the Kunu-ri—Sunchon road at that night and blocked the retreat route of the US 2nd Infantry Division. [32] A road runs south from Kunu-ri into Sunchon and eventually into Pyongyang, and it would later become the main retreat route for the UN forces stationed at the center of the front line. [187], The 2nd Infantry Division, however, did not know the strength of the roadblock at the night of November 29. [163] During the conference, MacArthur learned about the situation on the Eighth Army's right flank and judged that the Eighth Army was in great danger. [171] At 4 a.m. on November 30, the 38th Infantry Regiment crossed the Kaechon River under the cover of the 23rd Infantry Regiment and Kunu-ri was under Chinese control. [64], The PVA 38th Corps landed the first blow against the ROK II Corps at 5 p.m. on November 25. The withdrawal of United Nations forces from North Korea that took place from 2–25 December 1950. [127][nb 5] On the right flank, the 115th Division attacked the task force's B Company. ISBN, Halberstam, David (2007). Well, if they go fast enough, maybe some of them can be home by Christmas. See Appleman 1989, p. 139. [227] Recognizing the Chinese difficulties,[217] Ridgway then led the Eighth Army to inflict severe losses on the PVA during the Chinese offensives of 1951. [65] Simultaneously, the PVA 114th Division of the 38th Corps attacked the center-right of the ROK 7th Infantry Division, pushing the ROK 5th and 8th Infantry Regiment back in the process. [30] From west to east, a series of towns, such as Chongju, Yongsan-dong, Ipsok, Kujang-dong, Tokchon, and Yongwon dot the front line,[31] and connecting those towns are a series of road junctions located at Sinanju, Anju, Kunu-ri and Pukchang-ni. [179] A fierce battle between the PVA 125th Division and the 7th Cavalry Regiment broke out during the night of November 29, but by the morning of November 30 the PVA 42nd Corps' advance was halted. It was a decisive battle in the Korean War, and it took place from November 25 to December 2, 1950, along the Ch'ongch'on River Valley in the northwestern part of North Korea. [125] The crushing attack soon left the task force decimated and reeling. Chinese forces moved into the UN's rear areas, and the Eighth Army suffered heavy losses as the Chinese 13th Army attacked the retreating UN forces as they withdrew to the 38th Parallel. Historic Battle - Event No.11 - Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River - posted in Historical Battles: Easy Eight for me and confirmed Between 25 October and 4 November, the Chinese won a series of battles around Onjong and Unsan, forcing the US and South Korean forces to retreat back to the Ch'ongch'on River. [93] Adding to the confusion, Chinese reconnaissance teams resorted to sweet musics and dancing to lure the Americans into exposing their positions,[94] and the resulting Chinese counter fire caused the loss of the G Company on the 38th Infantry Regiment's center. "History of War to Resist America and Aid Korea (抗美援朝战争史)". [164] He instructed Walker to withdraw from the battle before the Chinese could surround the Eighth Army. The Korean War (1950-53) pitted the capitalist South Korea, backed by the U.S., against communist North Korea. The Chinese attacked a slightly larger US and ROK force without the benefit of air support or artillery: the Chinese left their heavy weapons behind to move quickly and stealthily through the mountains of North Korea. [208] The other US unit that had reported significant losses was the US 25th Infantry Division with 1,313 casualties. [110] To lead the offensive, five companies of infantry, armor and artillery were drawn from the 25th Infantry Division to form a special task force named "Task Force Dolvin". Share. The battle that decided the outcome of the Korean War, only to be obscured by the Battle of Chosin Reservoir that happened two days later. [185] With the battle still raging at Kunu-ri, the news of the Chinese roadblock reached the US 2nd Infantry Division on November 29. The Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River was the western half of the Second Phase Offensive by China. [199][201] At the rear of the division, Colonel Freeman attempted to save his 23rd Infantry Regiment by retreating through the Kunu-ri—Anju road. [183], One of the first victims of the new Chinese roadblock was a convoy from the Turkish Brigade, and it was ambushed on the night of November 28. [55] A massive frontal attack soon developed against the entire UN line from Yongsan-dong to Yongwon. "Communist Logistics in the Korean War". [140] On the night of November 24, the defending PVA 66th Corps counterattacked the Koreans with infantry and cavalry charges,[138][140] and the Chinese and Korean troops were soon locked in a seesaw battle from November 25 to 26. [169] Upon noticing this development, Brigadier General Tahsin Yazıcı of the Turkish Brigade ordered a withdraw,[169] leaving the right flank of the 38th Infantry Regiment completely uncovered. © Valve Corporation. [141] Upon noticing their flank was buckling, the US 24th Infantry Division and the US 35th Infantry Regiment started the retreat southward to the Ch'ongch'on River. [205] However, it was later approximated that the US 2nd Infantry Division had suffered 4,037 casualties, and most of its artillery pieces, 40 percent of its signal equipment, 45 percent of its crew-served weapons, 30 percent of its vehicles were lost during the battle. [38] The three UN Corps advanced cautiously in a continuous front line in order to prevent more ambushes similar to the Chinese First Phase Campaign,[38] but the lack of manpower stretched the UN forces to the limit. It took place from November 25 to December 2, 1950, in the northwestern part of North Korea. [107] With some losses, the US 2nd Infantry Division broke through the PVA 118th Division's blockade and arrived at Kunu-ri on the night of November 28. [119] The PVA 115th Division of the 39th Corps was immediately mobilized for an assault against Task Force Wilson and the US 24th Infantry Regiment, while the 116th and 117th Division were moving to attack Ipsok and to cut the American retreat route. A large Chinese army inflicted a shattering defeat on the United Nations forces in North Korea, forcing them to withdraw south of the 38th Parallel. [2] As the result, Walker ordered the Eighth Army to abandon North Korea on December 3,[215][218] much to the surprise of the Chinese commanders. [199] Finally, the Chinese blocked the road completely by destroying the US 38th and 503rd Artillery Battalion of the 2nd Infantry Division,[201] and the immobilized artillery pieces forced the rest of the division to abandon all vehicles and to retreat by hiking through the hills. line centered on the Ch'ongch'on just above Kujang-dong and lying across a series of hilltops from a point three miles west of the river to a point four miles southeast of it. [67][79] With most the ROK II Corps' units destroyed by November 27, the UN right flank had fallen to the Chinese.[80]. [226] [87] At the east, the PVA 38th and 42nd Corps broke through ROK II Corps' line at Tokchon and Yongwon. The other two battalions of the US 24th Infantry Regiment drifted into the US 9th and 27th Infantry Regiment's sectors after heavy Chinese attacks, and both battalions were attached to other regiments for the rest of the battle. [52][53] Because the Chinese had captured large numbers of Nationalist weapons during the Chinese Civil War, most of the Chinese weapons were composed of US made small arms such as the Thompson submachine gun, the M1 Garand rifle, the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle, the bazooka and the M2 mortar. Map of Chinese First Phase Campaign, October 25 – November 1, 1950. ISBN, Zhang, Shu Guang (1995). [49] There were also only one firearm available for every three Chinese soldiers, and the rest were employed as grenade throwers. [106] Chinese bazooka teams had also knocked out several vehicles while others were trying to swarm the tanks and to lob grenades into the hatch. The Battle of the Ch’ongch’on River was a decisive battle in the Korean War. Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas. Following Walker's orders, most of the Eighth Army's major units promptly broke contact with the Chinese and withdrew,[166] but the US 2nd Infantry Division was forced to stay at Kunu-ri in order to hold off the Chinese forces on the Eighth Army's right flank. [122] Upon learning the destruction of the Ranger Company, Major General William B. Kean of the US 25th Infantry Division sent the 2nd Battalion of the 27th Infantry Regiment to reinforce Task Force Dolvin. [56] To the west, the ROK 1st Infantry Division of the US I Corps was attacked by the PVA 66th Corps at Yongsan-dong. [203] The last stragglers from the US 2nd Infantry Division finally arrived at Sunchon on December 1, and by December 2 the Eighth Army had completely lost contact with the Chinese. [99], The Chinese immediately renewed their attacks on the night of November 26. [9] A large number of documents, including all records from the US 2nd Infantry Division and the US 24th Infantry Regiment, were lost during the battle, and this made it difficult for historians to either analyze the events in detail or to assess the exact battle damages. The Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River, also known as the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on or the Second Phase Campaign Western Sector[nb 4] (Chinese: 第二次战役西线; pinyin: Dì Èr Cì Zhàn Yì Xī Xiàn), was a decisive battle in the Korean War, and it took place from November 25 to December 2, 1950 along the Ch'ongch'on River Valley at the northwestern part of North Korea. [41] For the counteroffensive, the average Chinese soldier were issued with only five days worth of rations and ammunition, and resupply could only be obtained by scavenging on the battlefield. [155][177] Chinese forces then attacked the 7th Cavalry Regiment under the cover of the fleeing Korean soldiers and refugees pouring into the American front. [73] But before the order could be carried out, the Chinese struck first after learning their trap had been discovered. [38] Except for the strong Chinese resistances against the ROK II Corps, the Eighth Army met little opposition, and the line between Chongju to Yongwon was occupied on the night of the November 25. [33] The hilly terrains on the northern bank of the Ch'ongch'on River formed a defensive barrier that allowed the Chinese to hide their presence while dispersing the advancing UN forces. [138] Although Chinese booby traps and mortar fire tried to delay the Koreans along the way, the 1st Infantry Division still managed to envelope the town by the dusk of November 24. [137] As part of the Home-by-Christmas Offensive, the ROK 1st Infantry Division was to advance north and to capture the town of Taechon[138] while the US 35th Infantry Regiment of the US 25th Infantry Division was advancing north from Yongsan-dong on the Korean right flank. [212] As for Chinese losses, Peng estimated 45,000 casualties by the end of the battle,[213] and the official Chinese history attributed 20,000 casualties to combat, while the rest were attributed to the lack of adequate winter clothing and the lack of food. [192][193] With no contacts between the American commands and the British units,[194] the Middlesex Regiment advanced to the south end of the valley without attacking the roadblock. [60] During the advances, the Chinese defenses managed to create a wedge in the center of the ROK 7th Infantry Division, forcing the division to commit most its reserves on the front line. After the collapse of the US Eighth Army's right flank during the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA) 38th Corps advanced rapidly towards the critical road junction at Kunu-ri in an effort to cut off United Nations forces' retreat route. [33] As the Chinese counteroffensive grew in strength against the Eighth Army's center, Kunu-ri had become a major bottleneck for the US IX Corps' retreat. [147] At the same time, Paik rallied the broken ROK regiments and recaptured Yongsan-dong. [132] When Wilson tried to evacuate the wounded, Chinese roadblocks ambushed the medical convoy just south of the 2nd Battalion's perimeter. "Enter the Dragon: China's Undeclared War Against the U.S. in Korea 1950–51". Watch later. [14] Between October 25 and November 4, 1950, the PVA 13th Army surprised and defeated the Republic of Korea (ROK) II Corps and the US 1st Cavalry Division in a series of battles around Onjong and Unsan, destroying the right flank of the US Eighth Army while forcing the UN forces to retreat back to the Ch'ongch'on River. In Yang, Hee Wan; Lim, Won Hyok; Sims, Thomas Lee et al.. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press. [50] To compensate for its shortcomings, the Chinese relied extensively on night attacks and infiltrations in order to avoid the UN firepower. "The Dragon Strikes". [72] At 1 p.m. on November 25, the ROK 16th Infantry Regiment at the ROK 8th Infantry Division's rear spotted the two Chinese divisions at Maengsan, 20 km (12 mi) south of the Yongwon. [57], Chinese soldiers setting up an ambush against the retreating UN forces, In the aftermath of the Battle of Onjong, the ROK II Corps was recognized by the Chinese as the most vulnerable unit of the Eighth Army. [78] Responding to the crisis, Hung committed the ROK 2nd Infantry Regiment of the 6th Infantry Division to block the Chinese divisions. "Formidable Enemies: The North Korean and Chinese Soldier in the Korean War". [202] In one of the last acts of the battle, the 23rd Infantry Regiment fired off its stock of 3,206 artillery shells within 20 minutes,[200] and the massive barrage shocked the Chinese troops from following the regiment. [47] The 50th and 66th Corps would stay behind and check the advances of the US I Corps. [228] Against advice from Peng and other senior military leaders,[228] Mao ordered the PVA to invade South Korea—a mission that was beyond the Chinese military's abilities while breaking the fragile Chinese supply lines. Jefferson, NC: McFarland. Besides the victory at Unsan, the Chinese First Phase Campaign also destroyed the ROK 6th Infantry Division and one regiment from the ROK 8th Infantry Division at the Battle of Onjon… [72] As the ROK 10th and 21st Infantry Regiment were retreating from Yongwon early in the morning of November 26, the PVA 125th Division ambushed both ROK regiments, forcing the Koreans to abandon heavy equipment and to scatter into the hills. [148], Map of Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River, November 28 - December 1, 1950, Kunu-ri is a crossroad village on the northern bank of the Kaechon River, one of Ch'ongch'on River's southern tributaries. [173] The South Korean casualties could not be estimated due to the complete absence of South Korean records during the first half of the Korean War,[211] but according to Paik, the ROK II Corps' headquarters was forced to disband in the aftermath of the battle. Ch'ongch'on River abandoned Chongchon River The western half of the Second Phase Campaign resulted in a Chinese victory in the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River. "[220][221][222] The entire Eighth Army was also gripped with "bug out fever" during the retreat,[223] and a song called the "Bugout Boogie" was composed to commemorate the Eighth Army's defeat. Appleman, Roy (1989). Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. ISBN, Xue, Yan (徐焰) (1990). [84] At the same time, the 38th Infantry Regiment had arrived at Somin-dong, a town on the road between Kujang-dong and Tokchon. With the PVA 125th Division tying down the ROK 10th and 21st Infantry Regiment at Yongwon,[71] the 124th and the 126th Division tried to infiltrate the ROK 8th Infantry Division's rear by marching through the hills east of Yongwon. [138] But unknown to the Koreans, the 1st Infantry Division was marching into a Chinese assembly area, and the resistance around Taechon immediately increased as the result. [125] Met with waves of Chinese suicide bombers, the B Company was reduced to 26 soldiers out of the original 200. Official Chinese history claimed that 115 black soldiers from the Task Force Wilson's C Company were captured intact as a unit, but military historian Roy Appleman believed that those soldiers were from the missing C Company of the US 24th Infantry Regiment. Four tanks were first sent down the road and the Chinese held their fire. This got to be the most challenging project I have done so far, given that almost all of UN records were lost during the battle, plus the "bug out" myth that hides the full story of the US Eighth Army. Novato, CA: Presidio Press. [113] [117], While the US 25th Infantry Division was advancing, the opposing PVA 39th Corps was waiting for instructions from the PVA High Command. A major offensive by South Korea ultimately led to … [168] By the dusk of November 29, Chinese had cut the road between the 38th Infantry Regiment and Kunu-ri,[170] and the Americans had to retreat by infiltrating the Chinese lines. "Official History: The British Part in the Korean War". [152] They were soon met with the PVA 342nd Regiment from the 114th Division. [103] [187] Later, Coulter ordered Keiser to withdraw by breaking the roadblock with the 27th Commonwealth Brigade. [37], While the Eighth Army was advancing, the PVA 13th Army was hiding in the mountains with the 50th and 66th Corps to the west, the 39th and the 40th Corps on the center and the 38th and 42nd Corps at the east. [227] However, Mao interpreted the UN ceasefire as a weakness that China should further exploit. But as I put him aboard, other wounded men piled on the trailer in such number that the Jeep couldn't pull ahead. [184] A military police patrol was sent to investigate, but most of its members were killed by the morning. [219] The following 120 mi (190 km) withdrawal to the 38th parallel is often referred to as "the longest retreat in US military history. [151] On the night of November 27, the Turks took up defensive position at Wawon at the east of Kunu-ri. [125][134] Meanwhile, the US 24th Infantry Regiment had lost contact with most of its units, and the regiment commander Colonel John T. Corley could only collect one battalion from his regiment on the morning of November 27. [165] After the conference at November 29, Walker ordered all Eighth Army units to retreat to a new line around Sunchon, 30 mi (48 km) south of Kunu-ri. The Home-by-Christmas Offensive was completely stalled on the morning of November 26. [126] The PVA 347th Regiment of the 115th Division first met the C Company on the task force's center,[125] and after the sharp encounter most of the C Company's men were missing in action. On the morning of November 24, the ROK 1st Infantry Division advanced towards the town of Taechon with its 11th and 12th Infantry Regiment on point. The Chinese launched a series of surprise attacks along the Eighth Army's right flank on the night of 25 November 1950, destroying the army's weak right flank (which consisted mostly of South Korean troops). [109] On November 24, the 25th Infantry Division started its offensive at the city of Yongbyon, south of Ipsok. [102] The ferocious fighting soon forced the 38th Infantry Regiment to fight its way back to Kujang-dong in order to rejoin the division. [62], As the Koreans were preparing their defensive positions on the dusk of November 25, the two Chinese corps were mobilizing for a decisive counterattack against the Eighth Army's right flank. [172], Map of the retreat by US 2nd Infantry Division, In the aftermath of the ROK II Corps' collapse on November 27, Peng immediately ordered the PVA 38th Corps to cut the road between Kunu-ri and Sunchon in the US IX Corps rear, while the PVA 42nd Corps would surround the entire Eighth Army by rushing south through Pukchang-ni and capture Sunchon. A large Chinese army inflicted a shattering defeat on the United Nations forces in North Korea, forcing them to withdraw south of the 38th Parallel. [24] Encouraged by the fact that the UN did not know their true numbers, PVA Commander Peng Dehuai outlined the Second Phase Campaign, a counteroffensive aimed at pushing the UN forces back to a line half way between Ch'ongch'on River and Pyongyang. [209] The Turkish Brigade had also reported 936 casualties with 90 percent equipment, 90 percent vehicle and 50 percent artillery losses,[210] and the brigade was rendered combat ineffective. The Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River (Chinese: 清川江战役; pinyin: Qīngchuānjiāng Zhànyì), also known as the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on, was a decisive battle in the Korean War, and it took place from November 25 to December 2, 1950, along the Ch'ongch'on River Valley in the northwestern part of North Korea. [175][176] Lacking reinforcements, the ROK 6th Infantry Division was quickly routed by the PVA 42nd Corps on the night of November 28. The Chinese offensives of early 1951 would not meet as much success as their offensives of winter, 1950, and the war would turn into a stalemate. [155][156] The trapped Turks broke out of the Chinese encirclement on the morning of November 29 and the brigade was attached to the US 2nd Infantry Division. The Chinese leader Mao Zedong was alarmed by this, so he decided to activate the People's Volunteer Army and ordered it to intervene in Korea. [225] At the UN, all hopes for a unified Korea were abandoned, and a ceasefire at the 38th parallel was proposed to China on December 11, 1950. [104] Full scale retreat of the US 2nd Infantry Division started at the night of November 27, with the Chinese attacking everywhere against the Americans. In response to the successful Chinese First Phase Campaign against the United Nations forces, General Douglas MacArthur launched the Home-by-Christmas Offensive to evict the Chinese forces from Korea and to end the Korean War. [96] By the morning of November 26, Chinese troops were spotted all around the 38th Infantry Regiment. While the PVA 120th Division commenced its attack on the US 2nd Infantry Division's center, the PVA 119th Division was also trying to drive a wedge between Kujang-dong and Tokchon. What would be the aftereffects of the UN forces winning a major victory in the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River, perhaps due to the UN forces catching the Chinese forces about to attack and pre-empting the Chinese attack, resulting in the PVA being mostly or entirely wiped out from the air?