Existing comment:
Combined Arms in the Mountains: Battle of Chipyong-ni:
Gradually, tanks and infantry learned to work closely together in all operations. Combined arms action exploited the strengths of each and provided a versatile mix of capabilities. In February 1951, the 23rd Regimental Combat Team became involved in a defensive engagement with Chinese forces known as the Battle of Chipyong-ni. Surrounded, the infantry held the town against repeated human wave assaults, sustained by close air support during the day and air dropped supplies at night. Tanks of the 5th Cavalry Regiment attacked to relieve the besieged regimental combat team. They fought their way into the town and then launched a combined strike with the infantry to destroy the remaining Chinese. This battle marked a shift in initiative from the Chinese to the UN forces. The success demonstrated the effectiveness of armor, infantry, artillery, and aircraft working together to overcome an enemy in rugged mountainous terrain. General Matthew Ridgway declared the battle the most important combined arms action of the war. Tactical lessons learned there found application throughout the UN operations for the remainder of the conflict. Moreover, the victory ended fears that UN forces might be driven from the Korean peninsula. |