Operation Commando

Operation Commando
Part of the Korean War
Date3–12 October 1951
Location
Result United Nations victory
Belligerents

 United Nations

China China
Commanders and leaders
United States James Van Fleet
United States John W. O'Daniel
Unknown
Units involved

United States I Corps

United States IX Corps

China

Casualties and losses
4,000[1] US Claim: 21,000[1]

Operation Commando was an offensive undertaken by United Nations Command (UN) forces during the Korean War between 3–12 October 1951. The US I Corps (including four U.S. Divisions, the 1st Commonwealth Division and the Republic of Korea Army (ROK) 1st Infantry Division) seized the Jamestown Line, destroying elements of the People's Volunteer Army (PVA) 42nd, 47th, 64th and 65th Armies. This prevented the PVA from interdicting the UN supply lines near Seoul.

The attack began on 3 October 1951 from the Wyoming Line, which had been extended during Operation Minden and ended on 12 October, with a few hills south of the line still in PVA hands. Seizing these hills required a follow-up operation—Operation Polecharge. As a result of this 6 miles (9.7 km) advance, the badly mauled US 1st Cavalry Division was withdrawn to Japan for refitting.[2]

Commando and Polecharge were the last actions in the war of manoeuvre, which had lasted 16 months. It was replaced by a static war, characterised by fixed defences, trench lines, bunkers, patrols, wiring parties and minefields reminiscent of the Western Front in 1915–17. Australian involvement in this operation is known by historians as the First Battle of Maryang-san.[3]

  1. ^ a b Johnston, William (2003). A War of Patrols: Canadian Army Operations in Korea. Vancouver, British Columbia: UBC Press. pp. 170-1. ISBN 978-0-7748-1008-1.
  2. ^ Blair, Clay (1987). The Forgotten War: America in Korea 1950–1953. New York, NY: Times Books. p. 949. ISBN 9780812916706. OCLC 15790880.
  3. ^ Horner, David, ed. (2008). Duty First: A History of the Royal Australian Regiment. Second Edition. Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin. pp. 72–3. ISBN 9781741753745.