The battle of the Chosin Reservoir was one of the most brutal, frost-bitten standoffs of the Korean War.
By 1950, China entered the Korean War in an effort to repel the U.N. forces from North Korea. From November to December, U.S. Marines and their allies were surrounded by forces from the People’s Volunteer Army of China. For those two months, both sides endured freezing temperatures, frostbite, and snow filled trenches in an icy, mountainous terrain. Eventually, the encircled U.N. troops managed to break through and retreat.
Experience the brutal, frozen warfare fought by those who would later be called the “Chosin Few”.
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Marines at Hagaru perimeter watch Corsairs drop napalm on Chinese
1950
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The high-speed transport USS Begor observes the destruction of Hungnam's port facilities
December 24th, 1950
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The men of the 5th and 7th Marines, receiving an order to withdraw from their positions near the Chosin Reservoir
November 29th, 1950
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A Direct Air Control Center in Hagaru-ri, North Korea, during the battle for the Chosin Reservoir
December 1950
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Marines watch F4U Corsairs drop napalm on Chinese positions
Chosin, 1950
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7th Marines in the North Korean mountain-valley town of Yudam-n
November 1950
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Soldiers of the United States Marines searching for snipers in the Chosin Reservoir
November, 1950
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Chosin retreat
This blown bridge blocked the only way out for U.S. forces withdrawing from Chosin Reservoir
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Airdropped supplies descend to U.S. and allied troops
November, 1950
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1st Division Marines return Chinese fire during the battle of Chosin Reservoir
1950
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Exhausted and frostbitten U.S. Marines on the road South of Hagaru-ri
December 1950
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Colonel Allan D. “Mac” MacLean and Lieutenant Colonel Don C. Faith
From the 31st Regimental Combat Team “Task Force MacLean”
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UN troops were making their way along perilous mountain roads towards the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea
November 19th, 1950
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On Thanksgiving Day, a feast was prepared and distributed to the Marines in North Korea, including the men surrounding the Chosin Reservoir
November 23rd, 1950
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After two brutal nights of attacks, the U.S. Marines west of the reservoir began organizing their breakout towards Division Headquarters
November, 1950
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Elements of U.S. 1st Marine Division marching along the main supply route south of Hagaru-ri, North Korea
December 6, 1950.
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A column of troops and armor of the 1st Marine Division
Moving through communist Chinese lines during their successful breakout from the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea
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Marines engaging the Chinese near Chosin
December 1950
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Two soldiers of the U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division
Chosin, 1950
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Yudam-ni, at the western extremity of the Chosin Reservoir
November 27th, 1950, North Korea
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Marines at Chosin
December, 1950
