Key Facts
- Date
- April 22–23, 1951
- Filipino force size
- 900 soldiers (10th BCT)
- Chinese force size (Philippine account)
- ~15,000 soldiers
- Duration
- 2 days
- Part of
- Chinese Spring Offensive, 1951
Strategic Narrative Overview
On April 22–23, 1951, elements of the PVA struck the position held by the Philippine Army's 10th Battalion Combat Team along the Imjin River line north of Yeoncheon. The 900 Filipino soldiers faced a substantially larger Chinese force, variously estimated at around 15,000 troops or two battalions depending on the source. The 10th BCT conducted a fighting defense under intense pressure throughout the two-day engagement.
01 / The Origins
The Battle of Yultong occurred within the broader context of the Korean War, during the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's Spring Offensive launched in April 1951. China intervened in the Korean War in late 1950 to repel UN forces advancing toward the Chinese border. The Spring Offensive was a major effort to drive UN forces southward, with the PVA 34th (or 44th) Division engaging United Nations contingents north of Yeoncheon in central Korea.
03 / The Outcome
The Filipino battalion successfully resisted the Chinese assault, allowing UN forces time to regroup and respond to the broader Spring Offensive. The battle became a celebrated episode in Philippine military history, demonstrating the combat effectiveness of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK). The Chinese Spring Offensive ultimately failed to achieve its strategic objectives and was repulsed by UN forces.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.