The Battle of Andong halted the KPA 12th Division's southern advance and inflicted heavy losses on both sides in one of the Korean War's early engagements.
Key Facts
- Date
- Late July 1950
- Air attack deaths (KPA)
- 600 soldiers
- KPA T34-85 tanks destroyed
- 11 of 30 tanks
- KPA division commander
- Killed in action
- Conflict
- Korean War
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the early phase of the Korean War, the North Korean People's Army 12th Infantry Division sought to advance southward through Andong toward Pusan, pressing into territory held by Republic of Korea forces. The KPA's broad offensive push required control of key routes through towns such as Andong to sustain momentum toward the southern port.
The KPA 12th Infantry Division engaged the ROK 8th Division and Capital Division in and around Andong in late July 1950. Allied air attacks inflicted severe damage on the North Korean force, killing approximately 600 troops and destroying 11 of the division's 30 T34-85 tanks. The KPA division commander was killed during the fighting, and both sides suffered significant losses.
The KPA 12th Division, badly depleted and exhausted, was forced to halt its southward advance, temporarily blunting pressure on that axis toward Pusan. Although the ROK 8th Division was also largely destroyed in the battle, the heavier losses sustained by the KPA 12th Division prevented it from exploiting its offensive gains and contributed to slowing the overall North Korean advance.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent