KNIGHTS OF THE ARMOR FORCE Knights of the Armor Force
Armor in the Korean War
On 25 June 1950, the North Korean Communist armies attacked South Korea and the United States Army entered Korea to defend it-without tanks. The infantry divisions that had been on occupation duty in Japan went immediately into action in Korea, but they did not have their organic medium tank battalion or their regimental tank companies. In fact only a few light tank companies with obsolescent M24 tanks were available in Japan. But it was not thought initially that the lack of tanks would be a major drawback, for the rugged, mountainous terrain of Korea with its level areas covered by marsh-like rice paddies was not considered suitable for their employment.
The North Koreans, however, employed tanks, and on 5 July 1950 the first US unit from Japan, Task Force Smith, was overrun by 31 T34 Russian-made tanks. The North Koreans continued to employ their tanks in these early days with devastating effects, since the US had practically no tanks with which to stop them. A provisional tank unit was quickly organized with the few tanks that were available in Japan, and four tank battalions were hurriedly shipped from the United States. With this minimum of tank support the US forces were finally able to stop the communists and hold them along the Naktong River line. The Pusan perimeter was established, which permitted the US forces an opportunity to build up an offensive force.
On 16 September 1950, the 1st Marine and 7th Infantry Divisions, both supported by tanks, effected an assault landing on the west cost of Korea at Inchon. They pushed inland rapidly and retook the capitol, Seoul. Concurrently, U.S. forces in the Pusan perimeter launched a violent attack to the north and west to linkup with the amphibious forces and split the communists. Led by elements of the 70th Tank Battalion, the 1st Cavalry Division drove 106 miles in 11 hours and made the linkup north of Osan. Armor continued to play an important role in small unit actions until the end of the war.
The lessons of World War II, that tanks are necessary to fight other tanks and to spearhead offensive war, were re-emphasized. It was further demonstrated that armor is able to operate in terrain that was generally considered unsuitable for tank employment. The Korean campaign also supported the contention that when one force has armor and the other does not, that force without armor will lose.