Military operations always have quirky names that you can’t understand. Sometimes they are remembered for that; sometimes they are known for being effective and large in operation size. Others are remembered because they are extremely risky.

But there’s an actual operation that combines both. And, there was actually one that happened during the Korean War. This operation was one of the greatest moves of the Korean War, giving the United Nations an advantage in retaking South Korea. It was a risky plan, but it helped the United Nations forces to change the direction of the war.

It is called “Operation Chromite,” a daring strategy in which United Nations troops landed at the port city of Incheon on September 15, 1950. For what reason did they land there, you might be wondering? Keep reading to find out.

The United Nations Stepped in During the Korean War

Back in June 1950, the North Korean forces wanted to take over South Korea. With this, they moved towards and fought their way into South Korea, bringing with them a large number of resources, including tanks, artillery, and troops.

Because of the resources the North Koreans had, the South Korean forces were overwhelmed. That was when the United Nations decided to step in and help them. But even with support, the situation only got worse.

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By August 1950, the UN and South Korean troops had moved all the way down to the Pusan Perimeter. This was a small defensive circle around the southeastern tip of the country. The supplies were running low, but the troops fought nonstop.

With one more major attack from North Korea, it might break them completely. Therefore, General Douglas MacArthur, the UN commander, thought that instead of fighting the North Koreans with just a straightforward battle, why not land a huge force behind them and cut off their supplies? And that was the start of Operation Chromite.

Why Was Incheon a Terrible Idea?

General Douglas MacArthur chose the port city of Incheon as the landing point for this operation, which was far behind enemy lines. But there was a major problem, because Incheon was the worst place for landing.

Incheon is known for its high tides. It’s almost rising and falling up to 30 feet each day. And when it's low tide, the water retreats so far that landing boats would get stuck in the mud.

Not only that, but there were North Korean troops positioned on Wolmido Island. It’s just a small island, but it’s the entrance to the harbor. The troops there had artillery, bunkers, and machine guns. They were ready to fire on any incoming ships.

Therefore, the commanders suggested a different landing point, which is much safer. But MacArthur insisted on Incheon because he believed those were the very reasons no one would attempt an attack there. The North Koreans wouldn’t expect an attack on Incheon that could catch them off guard. And so, MacArthur pushed this idea.

Operation Chromite’s Planning

The landing point has finally been approved, and everyone in the UN forces has prepared everything in detail.

There were small UN troops disguised as local fishermen, sailing near Incheon before the attack. They confirmed that the tides were dangerous, but the area was not heavily reinforced because most North Korean troops were still fighting near Pusan.

Now, the landing force included the 1st Marine Division, the 7th Infantry Division, some U.S. Navy ships, and air support. There were 3 major stages for the operation:

1. They had to capture Wolmido Island because they couldn’t enter the harbor safely, so this had to happen first.
2. The main landing would be at Red Beach and Blue Beach, where troops would come ashore using landing craft, climb seawalls, and fight into the city.
3. After taking Incheon, the UN forces would push to the capital city, only 25 miles away.

With the plan in place, they pushed through, but the fight was getting tougher. Still, the UN pushed through, and on September 26, they retook Seoul, returning the capital to South Korean control.

Operation Chromite Is a Rare Case Study

Operation Chromite is one of the most famous operations because it involved a significant risk, yet it worked almost perfectly. The North Koreans never expected the UN forces to land at Incheon out of all the places, because it was such a difficult location.

That surprise gave the United Nations an advantage in the attack. And all along, even though commanders didn’t initially agree with General Douglas MacArthur, he was right with his decision.

Everyone knows that the standard for winning most battles is who has the larger army or more resources. Operation Chromite was different from the others because it involved a highly detailed plan, despite being initially risky.

With all the strategies in the Korean War, the success of this operation teaches us that big results sometimes require big risks. And that’s the truth, because winning a war doesn’t come from the usual, safest, or most obvious choice. Sometimes, it comes from choosing the option no one expects and preparing for it with careful detail, and Operation Chromite proves that.

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Sources:

• Inchon Landing (Operation Chromite)
• Making the Impossible Look Easy: Operation Chromite
• A Historiography of the Korean War's Operation Chromite