The Battle of Chosin Reservoir
One of the most brutal and heroic battles in American military history, fought in the frozen mountains of North Korea.
A Defining Moment in the Korean War
By late November 1950, United Nations forces had pushed deep into North Korea, approaching the Yalu River and the Chinese border. Intelligence indicated minimal Chinese presence—a catastrophic miscalculation.
On the night of November 27, over 120,000 Chinese soldiers from the 9th Army Group launched a massive surprise attack, surrounding American Marines and Army units scattered along the western shore of the Chosin Reservoir.
What followed was a 17-day ordeal that would test the limits of human endurance. In temperatures plunging to -35°F, with frostbite claiming as many casualties as enemy bullets, the "Frozen Chosin" fought their way out of encirclement.
"Retreat, Hell! We're just attacking in a different direction."— Major General Oliver P. Smith
Forces Involved
American Marines, Army soldiers, and British Royal Marines faced overwhelming Chinese forces in some of the harshest conditions imaginable.