HOW THE BATTLE OF CHOSIN RESERVOIR BECAME A TRAP FOR THE MARINES
In the U.S., during the Christmas season, you will see snow everywhere you go. You might have stepped outside on a freezing morning with a lot of snow, prompting you to question your life choices.
But imagine being a military service member in the mountains of North Korea during the winter. You feel your breath freezing on your face, and you see the rifles iced shut. With that, you also hear thousands of enemy troops marching their way towards you. Terrifying, right?
The battle was cold, isolated, and surrounded by many troops. This is the nightmare at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in 1950, one of the most freezing and unbelievable stories in Marine Corps history.
The Yalu River Turned Out to Be a Trap
During the fall of 1950, U.S. and United Nations forces believed the Korean War was nearly over. Because of this, they were confident in their position at the time.
Both forces pushed North Korean troops back from South Korea and were advancing towards North Korea. They had planned to reach the Yalu River, which marks the border between North Korea and China. General Douglas MacArthur thought that the war could end quickly if they went on the Yalu River, and that’s what they did.
The 1st Marine Division was ordered to stay in the mountains near the Chosin Reservoir, a man-made lake in the northeastern mountains of North Korea. This area was isolated, cold, and very difficult to travel through.
But at this point, the Marines pushed on because they believed they were at the final stretch of the war. Little did they know, China had secretly entered the war because they thought that American troops were a threat if they reached the border. Turns out, the Yalu River was actually a trap.
Chinese Soldiers Marching In
The troops the Chinese government sent across the Yalu River are very experienced in mountain warfare. They used the landscape to hide their movements, wore white uniforms, and traveled at night to avoid being seen by American troops.
By November 1950, thousands of Chinese soldiers reached the mountains around the Chosin Reservoir. Then, by November 27, 1950, the Chinese troops launched an attack on the U.S. and the U.N. troops. As a result, soldiers at Yudam-ni, Hagaru-ri, Chinhung-ni, and Toktong Pass were surrounded.
The Chinese troops preferred to attack during the night. They used bugles, whistles, and shouting to coordinate their attack. Given how dark and cold it was in the mountains, the Marines did not see the enemy until they were only a few feet away. Despite the conditions, the Marines stayed organized.
One memorable moment to mention at the time was when the Marines used the code name “Tootsie Roll” for mortar rounds. They were actually requesting more 60 mm mortar rounds, but the person receiving the message did not know it was a code. And so, they sent an actual Tootsie Roll candy, helping the troops get quick energy and use it to seal holes in fuel lines.
How Did They Find Their Way Out?
In this situation, the Marines had to find their way out of the mountains and reach the port of Hungnam, as that’s what they could only do, given that all of their resources were frozen.
Their strategy wasn’t called a retreat, as they refused to call it that way. For them, it was simply moving in a different direction. However, Chinese forces blocked nearly every mile of the road, so escaping at the time was extremely dangerous.
The Chinese attacks were so intense that one area became known as “Hell Fire Valley.” Regardless, the Marines kept moving. By December 11, 1950, the surviving Marines finally reached Hungnam and were evacuated by ship.
The Nightmare Battle of Chosin Reservoir
The Marines indeed experienced a nightmare during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. They were exhausted, frostbitten, and hungry. But with all of that, they managed to find their way out as a united division. Those who survived call themselves the “Chosin Few.”
This battle began with the hope that it was about to end, only to end as one of the toughest battles the American forces ever faced. Through the freezing temperatures and intense attacks, the Marines remain committed to finding their way out to safety.
The Chosin Reservoir battle remains a powerful reminder of what people can survive when they stay strong and refuse to give up.
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Sources:
BY ALLISON KIRSCHBAUM
Veteran, Military History & Culture Writer at VeteranLife
Navy Veteran
Allison Kirschbaum is a Navy Veteran and an experienced historian. She has seven years of experience creating compelling digital content across diverse industries, including Military, Defense, History, SaaS, MarTech, FinTech, financial services, insurance, and manufacturing. She brings this expertis...
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Allison Kirschbaum is a Navy Veteran and an experienced historian. She has seven years of experience creating compelling digital content across diverse industries, including Military, Defense, History, SaaS, MarTech, FinTech, financial services, insurance, and manufacturing. She brings this expertis...
