8th Division (North Korea)
Encyclopedia
The 8th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Korean People's Army
during the 20th Century.
It was formed early in July 1950 in the Chuncheon
area from remnants of the 1st Border Constabulary Brigade and elements of the 2d Border Constabulary Brigade. Morale and effectiveness for the unit were believed low in late 1950 probably due to entering combat understrength and with ill-trained recruits. In 1950 the unit was composed of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Regiments as well as an artillery regiment.
It was part of the North Korean advance from Seoul
to Taejon.
Of the heavy losses in artillery personnel and weapons which the inexperienced 8th Division suffered in succeeding engagements at the hands of UN artillery and aircraft, the damage inflicted by an air attack during the battle of Sindok-tong on August 9, was by far the most severe. In that attack the division lost eight 76mm guns, four 122mm howitzors and 12 trucks. A partial compensation occurred soon thereafter, when the unit received six 76mm guns, four 122mm howitzors, four trucks and about 50 replacements.
Fought in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter
.
On the right flank of the Pusan Perimeter, in the mountainous region of the ROK II Corps
, ROK 6th Division
soldiers advanced slowly against the 8th Division. After four days of battle the 8th Division was destroyed as a combat force, suffering about four thousand casualties. Enemy survivors fled in disarray north toward Yech’on. By September 21, the ROK 6th Division
, meeting little opposition, was advancing northward toward Uihung.
While committed in the Seoul
Sector along the Imjin River
during the spring of 1951 as part of the I Corps, the division sustained considerable personnel casualties and lost a good portion of its scant artillery support including the entire regimental artillery of the 1st Rifle Regiment which was surrounded and completely annihilated on February 19 in the vicinity of Kwangju. Replacements for some of these losses were received prior to the May offensive during which the 8th Division spearheaded the I Corps assault on Seoul. At that time, thirteen 82mm mortars; six 12Omm mortars, twelve 45mm antitank guns, ten 76mm field guns and four 122mm howitzers constituted the sum total of the artillery weapons at the disposal of the division. Colonel Lee To Bin was then the commander of the divisional artillery. Most of these weapons were concentrated at the regimental level.
Korean People's Army
The Korean People's Army , also known as the Inmin Gun, are the military forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim Jong-il is the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and Chairman of the National Defence Commission...
during the 20th Century.
It was formed early in July 1950 in the Chuncheon
Chuncheon
Chuncheon is the capital of Gangwon Province, South Korea. The city lies in the northeast of the country, located in a basin formed by the Soyang River and Han River. There are some large lakes around the city, most notably Lake Soyang and Lake Uiam...
area from remnants of the 1st Border Constabulary Brigade and elements of the 2d Border Constabulary Brigade. Morale and effectiveness for the unit were believed low in late 1950 probably due to entering combat understrength and with ill-trained recruits. In 1950 the unit was composed of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Regiments as well as an artillery regiment.
It was part of the North Korean advance from Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
to Taejon.
Of the heavy losses in artillery personnel and weapons which the inexperienced 8th Division suffered in succeeding engagements at the hands of UN artillery and aircraft, the damage inflicted by an air attack during the battle of Sindok-tong on August 9, was by far the most severe. In that attack the division lost eight 76mm guns, four 122mm howitzors and 12 trucks. A partial compensation occurred soon thereafter, when the unit received six 76mm guns, four 122mm howitzors, four trucks and about 50 replacements.
Fought in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter
Battle of Pusan Perimeter
The Battle of Pusan Perimeter was a large-scale battle between United Nations and North Korean forces lasting from August 4 – September 18, 1950. It was one of the first major engagements of the Korean War...
.
On the right flank of the Pusan Perimeter, in the mountainous region of the ROK II Corps
II Corps (South Korea)
-History:II Corps was created July 24, 1950, just before the Battle of Pusan Perimeter.II Corps consisted of the 1st Division and 6th Infantry Division....
, ROK 6th Division
6th Infantry Division (South Korea)
-History:The 6th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Republic of Korea Army during the 20th Century. The Division consisted of the 2nd, 7th, and 19th Regiments....
soldiers advanced slowly against the 8th Division. After four days of battle the 8th Division was destroyed as a combat force, suffering about four thousand casualties. Enemy survivors fled in disarray north toward Yech’on. By September 21, the ROK 6th Division
6th Infantry Division (South Korea)
-History:The 6th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Republic of Korea Army during the 20th Century. The Division consisted of the 2nd, 7th, and 19th Regiments....
, meeting little opposition, was advancing northward toward Uihung.
While committed in the Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
Sector along the Imjin River
Imjin River
The Imjin River is a river of North and South Korea. It flows from North to South, crossing the Demilitarized Zone and joining the Han River downstream of Seoul, very near the Yellow Sea.- History :...
during the spring of 1951 as part of the I Corps, the division sustained considerable personnel casualties and lost a good portion of its scant artillery support including the entire regimental artillery of the 1st Rifle Regiment which was surrounded and completely annihilated on February 19 in the vicinity of Kwangju. Replacements for some of these losses were received prior to the May offensive during which the 8th Division spearheaded the I Corps assault on Seoul. At that time, thirteen 82mm mortars; six 12Omm mortars, twelve 45mm antitank guns, ten 76mm field guns and four 122mm howitzers constituted the sum total of the artillery weapons at the disposal of the division. Colonel Lee To Bin was then the commander of the divisional artillery. Most of these weapons were concentrated at the regimental level.