The Korean War by Indy Neidell

Despite the fact that there have been clear signs that they might soon invade South Korea, when the North actually does in force on June 25th, 1950, it comes as a complete shock to the world. But is this a full invasion, or just cross border raids such as there were in 1949? And is there something more behind this? Stalin's Soviets? Mao's Chinese? And how will the world react? Find out this week as our week by week coverage of the war begins!

The North Korean forces are advancing all over, and this week they take Seoul, the South's capital city, after just a few days of the war. There is another tragedy for the South when the Han River Bridge is blown while thousands of people are crossing it, resulting in hundreds of civilian deaths. The World responds to the invasion- condemning it everywhere, and the Americans decide to send in ground forces to help the South.

American troops have arrived in Korea and engage the KPA- the forces of the North- in the field this week for the first time. It does not go well for them. In fact, it's hard to imagine it going worse. The Americans are outnumbered and outgunned and are routed. In fact, the KPA are advancing all over the country, though they are taking heavy casualties themselves.

Elements of the US 24th Division, the only American one that's arrived in force in Korea so far, take on the North Korean forces aiming for Taejon, but they are badly- and easily- defeated each time. In the center and the east coast it's the ROK- the forces of the South- that are reorganizing and getting into position to try to stop the enemy. And Douglas MacArthur is officially appointed commander of all UN forces in Korea.

Taejon falls this week to the advancing North Korean steam roller, but the fight there is complete chaos that even sees the top American General fleeing into the local hills. However, two divisions of American reinforcements have arrived and perhaps they can turn the tide. The US also has decided to massively increase its defense spending and conscript tens of thousands of men, which may well help to do that.

The UN Forces have been pushed back ever further, but this week, US 8th Army Commander Walton Walker issues the order to 'stand or die'; he sees no other options. American reinforcements are finally getting into the actual fight, though, and Britain has decided they will send in ground troops, so things might turn around... if they can hold out long enough for those troops to arrive, because a brilliant North Korean strategy might win the war and soon.