Battle Of Inchon Essay

The Korean War was the result of tensions between North and South Korea after World War II. North Korea launched a surprise attack against an unprepared South Korea, pushing South Korean and U.S. forces to the southernmost tip of the Korean Peninsula. The U.S. launched a counterattack that started with amphibious landings at Wolmi-do Island and Inchon. The battle of Inchon was a significant factor in the Korean War because it allowed U.S. and South Korean forces to push North Korea back past the 38th Parallel.
Before the Battle of Inchon, an intelligence mission led by Lt. Eugene Clark gained information about North Korean defenses, but he also reported on the tides, which was unusual. The use of the tides played a major role in the battle of Inchon. North Korea uniting the Korean Peninsula under its rule could have
Initial assessment had Wolmi-do honeycombed with harbor defenses. Wolmi-do was critical to the capture Inchon. Inchon's beaches were narrow strips of urban waterfront protected by a seawall and flanked by Wolmi-do.
Intelligence reports played a key role when it came to dealing with problems concerning the target area. The answer as to the ability of landing craft to maneuver in the mud flats and aerial surveillance revealed that the seawall along the Inchon waterfront averaged 16 feet above low tide.
Advance estimates of enemy numbers and installations, based on aerial observation, estimated the defender’s strength at 1,500 to 2,500 troops. Aerial surveillance showed a formidable array of defensive positions that appeared to be unoccupied. Daily aerial surveillance indicated an almost complete lack of enemy activity. Without the aerial surveillance, any planning would have assumed a heavily manned island and would be able to provide assistance to the defenders of the Inchon harbor.
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