Key Facts
- Duration
- December 31, 1950 – January 20, 1951
- Theater
- Central and eastern fronts, Korean War
- Front stabilized at
- 37th parallel
- Attacker
- KPA V Corps and KPA II Corps
- Defender
- US X Corps under Maj. Gen. Edward Almond
Strategic Narrative Overview
On December 31, 1950, a combined PVA and KPA assault broke UN defenses at Chuncheon. KPA V Corps then drove directly on Wonju while KPA II Corps infiltrated UN rear areas, waging guerrilla warfare to disrupt supply lines and communications. US X Corps under Major General Edward Almond mounted a stiff defense, inflicting heavy losses on KPA V Corps at Wonju and subsequently conducting anti-guerrilla sweeps against KPA infiltrators throughout the region.
01 / The Origins
During the Third Phase Campaign of the Korean War, Chinese and North Korean forces launched a coordinated New Year's offensive. While Chinese People's Volunteer Army forces struck the western front and captured Seoul, the North Korean Korean People's Army aimed to seize Wonju on the central front to collapse UN defensive lines and open the road into the eastern and southern regions of South Korea.
03 / The Outcome
By January 20, 1951, the battle concluded with UN forces successfully holding Wonju. KPA formations on the central and eastern fronts suffered severe attrition, effectively breaking the North Korean offensive capacity in that sector. The UN line was consolidated along the 37th parallel, enabling a subsequent UN counteroffensive and contributing to the broader stabilization of the Korean front after the initial Chinese intervention.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent
Edward Almond.
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.