One of the most lopsided U.S. defeats in Korea, the PVA's February 1951 victory temporarily restored Chinese initiative after UN counteroffensives.
Key Facts
- Dates
- 11–15 February 1951
- Conflict
- Korean War, PVA Fourth Phase Offensive
- ROK unit collapsed
- 8th Infantry Division disintegrated under attack
- PVA divisions engaged
- Three PVA divisions assaulted ROK positions
- U.S. casualties
- Hundreds of U.S. soldiers killed
- Outcome
- PVA victory; UN forces suffered heavy losses
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following the UN's Operation Thunderbolt counteroffensive, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army had been pushed back northward. The PVA launched its Fourth Phase Offensive to regain the initiative, targeting weakly held UN positions in the Hoengsong area of central Korea in February 1951.
Between 11 and 15 February 1951, three PVA divisions attacked and rapidly disintegrated the ROK 8th Infantry Division. U.S. armored and artillery units supporting the ROK forces attempted to withdraw along a single road through a narrow valley north of Hoengsong but were outflanked by PVA troops moving cross-country, resulting in the destruction of the column and hundreds of American deaths.
The PVA victory at Hoengsong inflicted heavy casualties on UN forces and temporarily restored Chinese offensive momentum after weeks of UN advances. It stands as one of the most damaging defeats suffered by U.S. forces during the Korean War, forcing a reassessment of UN defensive dispositions in the central front.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent