A daring amphibious assault led by General Douglas MacArthur that became a turning point in the Korean War. The operation involved 261 naval vessels and 70,000 troops, successfully cutting North Korean supply lines and leading to the recapture of Seoul.

The Incheon Landing stands as one of the most daring and decisive military operations of the Korean War. On September 15, 1950, General Douglas MacArthur orchestrated this bold amphibious assault that would dramatically turn the tide of the conflict in favor of United Nations forces.

At a time when North Korean forces had pushed South Korean and UN troops into a small defensive perimeter around Pusan, MacArthur devised a risky plan. Despite significant opposition from military planners who worried about the operation's numerous challenges including treacherous tides and narrow shipping channels, MacArthur remained confident in his strategic vision. The landing at Incheon would prove to be a masterstroke of military genius, catching North Korean forces completely off guard and setting the stage for a remarkable reversal in the war's momentum.

Operation Chromite's planning phase began in July 1950 when General MacArthur identified Incheon as the optimal location for an amphibious landing. The strategic planning process involved detailed analyses of tidal patterns, geographic features and enemy positions.

MacArthur selected Incheon harbor for its strategic proximity to Seoul, just 15 miles inland from the landing site. The location offered three key advantages:

• Cut North Korean supply lines connecting Pyongyang to frontline troops
• Provide direct access to capture Seoul's transportation infrastructure
• Create opportunities to trap North Korean forces between UN armies

The harbor's 29-foot tidal variation limited amphibious operations to specific dates:

Landing Date Options	Tide Height	Duration Window
September 15	31.2 feet	3 hours
September 27	30.7 feet	3 hours
October 11	30.3 feet	2.5 hours

Senior military commanders expressed strong resistance to MacArthur's Incheon proposal:

• General J. Lawton Collins cited dangerous water approaches
• Admiral Forrest Sherman warned about limited intelligence on enemy positions
• General Omar Bradley emphasized risks of splitting UN forces

At the August 23, 1950 meeting in Tokyo, MacArthur countered these objections with a 45-minute presentation outlining:

• Detailed tidal calculations
• Intelligence reports on North Korean defenses
• Comprehensive landing force organization plans
• Specific combat loading schedules for invasion ships

The Joint Chiefs ultimately approved the operation on August 28, 1950, allocating 70,000 troops to the X Corps under Major General Edward Almond's command.

The Incheon Landing began at 6:30 AM on September 15, 1950, when UN naval forces initiated a bombardment of Wolmi Island. The amphibious operation involved 261 naval vessels coordinating with precision timing to navigate Incheon's challenging tidal conditions.

At 6:33 AM, the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines launched the initial assault on Wolmi Island. The Marines secured the island by 8:00 AM, capturing 136 North Korean defenders with minimal casualties. Three SEALs teams conducted underwater demolition operations to clear beach obstacles before the main landing force arrived. The first wave employed 47 amphibious tracked vehicles carrying 1,500 Marines from the 1st Marine Division.

By 5:29 PM, the main assault force of 13,000 Marines stormed Red Beach and Blue Beach under naval gunfire support from 10 destroyers. The Marines captured all major objectives within Incheon Harbor by midnight, including:

• The customs house
• Railroad station
• 3 petroleum storage facilities
• Municipal center
• Harbor facilities

Assets Secured	Quantity
Enemy tanks	13
Artillery pieces	7
Supply vehicles	35
POWs	136
Ammunition dumps	4

General Douglas MacArthur exercised direct operational control of the Incheon Landing from his command ship, coordinating the complex multinational assault with precision. His leadership style emphasized decisive action combined with meticulous attention to operational details.

MacArthur established his command post aboard the USS Mount McKinley (AGC-7), an amphibious command ship, on September 13, 1950. From the ship's combat information center, he monitored real-time intelligence reports transmitted from reconnaissance aircraft spotting enemy positions. The command ship's advanced communications systems enabled MacArthur to maintain constant contact with naval task forces, air support units, and ground forces throughout the operation.

• U.S. Marine Corps: Led the amphibious assault with the 1st Marine Division
• U.S. Army: Provided artillery support with X Corps units
• Republic of Korea Marines: Conducted flanking operations
• British Royal Navy: Contributed HMS Triumph aircraft carrier support
• Canadian Navy: Supplied destroyer escorts
• Australian Air Force: Executed close air support missions
• New Zealand Navy: Provided frigate support
• Japanese civilians: Operated 270 support vessels for logistics

Participating Forces	Number of Personnel
U.S. Forces	40,000
ROK Forces	20,000
UN Allied Forces	10,000
Support Personnel	5,000

The Incheon Landing operation achieved immediate strategic success through precision execution and tactical superiority. UN forces under MacArthur's command established a crucial beachhead that enabled rapid advancement toward Seoul.

The liberation of Seoul began on September 16, 1950, when UN forces advanced from Incheon toward the capital city. X Corps units moved systematically through the city's western approaches, capturing Kimpo Airfield on September 17. The 1st Marine Division encountered fierce resistance from 5,000 North Korean defenders at Yongdungpo before breaking through to Seoul's outskirts on September 20. After six days of intense urban combat, UN forces secured Seoul on September 27, 1950, marking a significant victory that disrupted North Korean communications lines.

Seoul Operation Statistics	Data
Days to capture Seoul	12
UN Forces involved	50,000
North Korean defenders	5,000
Key objectives secured	4
Civilian casualties	14,000

The Incheon Landing transformed the strategic situation on the Korean Peninsula in September 1950. North Korean forces split into isolated units as UN forces advanced, cutting their supply lines south of Seoul. The operation trapped 70,000 North Korean troops between X Corps in Incheon and the 8th Army pushing north from Pusan. By October 1, UN forces recaptured all territory south of the 38th parallel, triggering a complete North Korean withdrawal.

Strategic Impact	Results
Enemy troops trapped	70,000
Territory recovered	20,000 sq miles
Supply lines cut	6 major routes
Captured equipment	1,900 pieces
North Korean casualties	23,000

MacArthur's strategic genius during the Incheon Landing solidified his military legacy in Korea through three significant achievements:

1. Operational Innovation

• Pioneered amphibious warfare tactics in challenging tidal conditions
• Introduced synchronized multi-force operations involving 261 naval vessels
• Developed precise timing strategies for beach assaults based on tidal calculations

1. Command Excellence

• Coordinated multinational forces from 5 nations: U.S., Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
• Maintained direct operational control from USS Mount McKinley
• Achieved objectives with minimal allied casualties: less than 224 personnel

1. Strategic Impact

• Reversed North Korean advances within 2 weeks of landing
• Recaptured 20,000 square miles of territory
• Trapped 70,000 North Korean troops south of Seoul

Achievement Category	Numerical Impact
Territory Recovered	20,000 sq miles
Enemy Forces Trapped	70,000 troops
Allied Forces Led	70,000 personnel
Naval Assets Commanded	261 vessels
Operation Duration	15 days

MacArthur's command decisions at Incheon demonstrated military leadership principles that transformed UN forces from defensive positions to offensive victory. His operational approach emphasized surprise, concentration of force, mobility, which military academies continue to study as exemplary campaign planning.

The Incheon operation's success enhanced MacArthur's reputation as a masterful theater commander, particularly in amphibious operations. His leadership style combined detailed tactical planning with bold strategic vision, establishing a template for future joint military operations.

• General Douglas MacArthur led the Incheon Landing on September 15, 1950, executing one of the Korean War's most decisive military operations.
• Despite opposition from military leaders concerned about tidal challenges and risks, MacArthur's strategic vision proved successful in turning the war's tide in UN forces' favor.
• The operation involved 261 naval vessels and 70,000 troops from multiple nations, including U.S., British, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand forces.
• The landing succeeded in cutting North Korean supply lines, trapping 70,000 enemy troops, and led to the recapture of Seoul by September 27, 1950.
• MacArthur commanded the operation directly from USS Mount McKinley, coordinating complex multinational forces with precision timing around Incheon's challenging tidal conditions.

General MacArthur's leadership during the Incheon Landing stands as one of the most remarkable military achievements of the 20th century. The operation's success on September 15 1950 demonstrated how strategic vision coupled with precise execution could overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.

The bold amphibious assault not only showcased MacArthur's tactical brilliance but also marked a decisive turning point in the Korean War. His ability to coordinate multinational forces and execute a complex operation under challenging conditions has left an enduring legacy in military history.

The Incheon Landing remains a testament to the power of innovative thinking and calculated risk-taking in military operations. Its success validated MacArthur's reputation as a masterful theater commander and established new standards for amphibious warfare tactics.