The Korean War

By Tharsis
  • Period: to

    Korean War

  • March meeting between Stalin and DPRK

    Exact date is unknown; revealed by Khrushchev's memoirs

  • Soviet's first Atomic Bomb

    Called Joe-1 by the Americans;

  • Official proclaimation of the PRC

  • Stalin agreed to the invasion

    Exact date not known

  • US Secretary of State Dean Acheson's speech to National Press Club

    In this speech, South Korea was not included, not vital to US defence perimeter in Asia

  • NSC 68 passed

    Defence spending increased - to ensure that Containment works.

  • DPRK invades ROK

    90000 troops, 150 T-34 tanks crossed the 38th parallel

  • UN resolution passed to allow intervention

    UN used; recommended military intervention

  • US sends troops stationed in Japan into Korea

  • Seoul falls to DPRK troops

    Exact dates vary from source

  • Amphibious landing at Incheon

    DPRK troops took heavy damage; retreated and left Pyongyang vulnerable

  • China joins the war

    260000 Chinese troops crossed the Yalu river

  • Seoul recaptured by Communist troops

  • Fourth phase offensive (mid Feb) carried out by communists

    Upset battle : numerically weaker UN forces defeat communists

  • Operation Killer

    Concluded with territoral gains

  • Operation Ripper; Seoul recaptured by UN forces

  • General MacArthur relieved of command

  • Chinese Spring offensive

    Last major thrust by the Chinese

  • Peace talks

  • Period: to

    Stalemate; peace talks/armistics duration

  • Stalin passed away

  • Korean War talks successfully conclude