The Most Infamous Battle of the Korean War - Battle of the Jangjin / Chosin Reservoir 1950

One of the seminal moments of the Korean War, the Battle of the Jangjin / Chosin Reservoir was a brutal fight for survival between Communism and Democracy in the bitter Korean winter.

Note - @James Cregg 's comment: the 1st Regiment were in the Rear Guard on the retreat to Hungnam from Koto south

[lewjames]

I am a former member of the 7th Marines, though at a much later date. Your video is very good but leaves out many important details. If anybody out there wants to read a very good book on the subject, I recommend "Breakout" by Martin Russ. This is one of the best books on combat ever written, let alone concerning the battle of the Chosin Reservoir.

[patrickhows]

Very good video. Fascinating detail about the Tootsie rolls.

[yhho]

my great uncle was killed in Korea. napalmed by the US when in UK forces, died a year later. Buried at UN cemetery at Busan.

[jonmetaphorist]

The famous 31st Infantry Regiment(Polar bear) was completed crushed in this battle. The banner in the HQ was captured by the CPV and is now displayed in the Military Museum in China.
Of the task force’s original complement of nearly 3300 men, only 385 of those who reached Marine lines at Hagaru-ri from the inlet were unwounded. Not one vehicle or piece of heavy equipment made it through. (From Wiki)

[peytonthomas]

I always thought the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir was an American miracle for two reasons:
1. Though the Americans and South Koreans suffered heavy casualties, they inflicted even greater casualties on the Chinese.
2. The 30, 000 American and South Korean troops at the Chosin Reservoir were surrounded by an enemy four times their size and it looked like they would all be killed or captured, but miraculously, they broke out.
You may disagree with me, but that is ok, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

[cbm]

The US 7th Division [in the 10th corps] which was understrength was divided into three battle groups to cover more territory and spread out miles from each other. This was approved by MacArthur. If attacked they could not regroup. One element of the 7th Army was on the east side of the Reservoir when the the Chinese intervened. They were basically wipe out as a unit.

[blandwinde]

RCT 31, or Task Force Maclean, or task force Faith was wiped out and the flag of 31th regiment is now in the war museum in Beijing.

[donwang]

The Korean war was an unfortunate event that had decisively put China in the Soviet camp, and it also convinced the SU that China was a worthy partner and provided the real support to China's industrialization and modernization. Subsequently China also suffered twenty two years of most severe sanctions and isolation from the industrialized West led by USA. Many of the sanctions last to this day. Mao was never the chosen one by Stalin and not in his pocket, which was the very reason of the Korea war initiated by the north with Stalin's support But without Mao's knowledge. The cold war could have played out very differently if China stayed somewhat neutral, though not sure who would benefit more.

[blitzwaffe]

I have a feeling this video will eventually explode in views randomly.

[MegaMJoseph]

They were so lucky that the Chinese do not have air power as China was played out by Stalin

[waynecampbell]

That quote was not from General Smith, it was then Colonel Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, who also said, "So, they're on our right, they're on our left, in front, and back of us! Hell, we're surrounded.
Well, that simplifies things!

[neimchugh]

Just read "Breakout" which was about the whole chosin campaign. Remarkable book and story, needs to be a movie. The human condition both sides faced is amazing. Enjoyed the vid + subbed

[j.dunlop]

Amazing retreat.
My Uncle was a M.P.
at ft. Bragg, a friend on guard duty, he got drunk, and a general caught him, he was sent to Korea, 2 months before this battle. Bad timing?

[josephbarr]

As a Marine who’s heard terrible stories about the Army, it’s difficult to look at the 31st RCT without some prejudice because we believe we are the best. However, the messaging among the Marines, who answered to a cautious and well-prepared OP Smith, was one of measured confidence and an understanding that the Chinese were present and in significant numbers. They were well prepared for the fight. The Army’s messaging, however, came from Almond and MacArthur whose hubris inspired overconfidence as well as a belief that the Chinese were not involved in any meaningful way. Poor leadership from the flag-officer level was the sole cause of the destruction of the RCT…not a fundamental difference between Army soldiers and Marines.

[solisgod]

i like how you use real photographs from the battle to show what is going on, imo this is better than other battle order channels since in immerses you in the battle

[ZAR]

surrounded on all sides and hugely outnumbered but still holding on for days and manage to breakout later on

USA logistic and air dominant are soo magnificent

[staroceanxc]

I disagree neither side can claim victory here. The victory of a battle is not determined by which side lost less soldiers, rather by which side achieved their objective. Before the Chosin battle the US troops were marching towards China border, after the battle they have to retreat to the sea. It's pretty clear a Chinese victory here even though they suffered a lot more loss of man.

[GaionSputro]

Is it true if 1st Division of u.s marines almost wiped out in Battle of Chosin?

[cdusen]

Thank you very much. A very clear and concise overall view of the battle. My interest was rekindled by the new Chinese movie, "The Battle at Lake Changjin"

[magnaviator]

One of those moments in history! Fantastic documentary. 🤗 We follow you now and hope to be friends! 🤗