4:00am NKPA launched Operation , a full-scale invasion of South Korea, catching the ROK Army by surprise; most units not in position or on weekend leave.
ROK weapons and suicide attacks failed against
tanks.
NKPA pushed south towards strategic location of Uijongbu.
Monday 26 June 1950
ROK Gen. Chae demanded pincer attack on NKPA army, even though General Yu's 7th Division and Gen. Lee's 2nd Division were not ready → the NKPA overran Lee and Yu was forced to retreat.
→
fell, leaving the way open to Seoul.
Tuesday 27 June 1950
US ordered evacuation of
; 2,000 staff evacuated under air cover; supplies and sensitive employee records left behind.
Mass civilian and military flight across Han River.
NKPA reached Seoul by 7:30pm; Communist
guerrilla units activated.
ROK leadership fled south without informing troops.
Vice-Minister of Defence ordered destruction of Han River bridge.
Wednesday 28 June 1950
2:15am Han River
blown without warning; c.1,000 civilians killed.
→ 44,000 ROK troops trapped north of river; most killed or disappeared.
Seoul fell; in 3 days, ROK Army had lost
% of its men and 70% of its equipment.
Fehrenbach: It had not been defeated it had been
.
Sunday 25 June 1950
4:00am NKPA launched Operation POKPUNG, a full-scale invasion of South Korea, catching the ROK Army by surprise; most units not in position or on weekend leave.
ROK weapons and suicide attacks failed against T-34 tanks.
NKPA pushed south towards strategic location of Uijongbu.
Monday 26 June 1950
ROK Gen. FATTY Chae demanded pincer attack on NKPA army, even though General Yu's 7th Division and Gen. Lee's 2nd Division were not ready → the NKPA overran Lee and Yu was forced to retreat.
→ UIJONGBU fell, leaving the way open to Seoul.
Tuesday 27 June 1950
US ordered evacuation of EMBASSY; 2,000 staff evacuated under air cover; supplies and sensitive employee records left behind.
Mass civilian and military flight across Han River.
NKPA reached Seoul by 7:30pm; Communist SLEEPER guerrilla units activated.
ROK leadership fled south without informing troops.
Vice-Minister of Defence ordered destruction of Han River bridge.
Wednesday 28 June 1950
2:15am Han River BRIDGE blown without warning; c.1,000 civilians killed.
→ 44,000 ROK troops trapped north of river; most killed or disappeared.
Seoul fell; in 3 days, ROK Army had lost 80% of its men and 70% of its equipment.
Fehrenbach: It had not been defeated it had been DESTROYED.
