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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 97016:  Korean guards at Pusan, December 1950

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- EVENTS -- The Korean War, 1950-1953 --

Logistics & Support Activities in Korea, June-December 1950

United Nations forces' support facilities in Korea contracted rapidly during the summer of 1950, as the North Korean army overran all of South Korea except for the area around Pusan, leaving but a single significant port and very limited airfield capability. Following the mid-September Inchon Invasion, facilities expanded again to far more than their original potental. By the end of November, the U.N. had access to logistics ports far up along both coasts of North Korea, providing more than adequate supply support for the ground forces. Airfields had been developed throughout South Korea, and some were functioning in the North, making possible greatly enhanced air supply and combat operations. Facilities for the training and support of the Republic of Korea's armed forces were also markedly increased.

The great Chinese offensive that began in late November 1950 took away many of the new facilities, including all those in North Korea and many in the northern half of the South. Supply depots were evacuated, captured or had to be destroyed, with the loss of much valuable materiel. Once again, the port of Pusan became the U.N. forces' primary means of sustenance. Many land-based combat aircraft had to be withdrawn to Japanese bases, making necessary once again long flights to the combat zone and thereby greatly reducing ordnance loads and operating time in the target areas. However, the situation never reached the desperate levels of July and August.

This page features images of Korean War logistics and support activities in Korea from June to the end of 1950, other than those that were directly involved with ongoing or recent combat operations at the location pictured.

See Logistics & Support Activities in Korea for other views of support operations and facilities in Korea.


For more pictures of the first months of the Korean War, see:

  • The North Korean Offensive, 25 June -- 15 September 1950;
  • The United Nations' Offensive, 15 September -- 25 November 1950;
  • The Chinese Offensive, 25 November 1950 -- 25 January 1951.

    For broader coverage of Korean War logistics & support efforts, see:

  • Korean War Logistics & Support, 1950-1953.

    For a precis of our Korean War images, and links to more comprehensive pictorial coverage of other aspects of that conflict, see:

  • The Korean War, June 1950 - July 1953 -- Introductory Overview and Special Image Selection.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: 80-G-467287

    USS LST-802


    Unloading vehicles at Inchon, South Korea. A Jeep is rolling down her ramp, and a bulldozer is parked on the beach.
    Photograph is dated 16 November 1950.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 116KB; 740 x 615 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-424557

    Lieutenant(Junior Grade) Alvin L. Short, USN
    (left) and
    Lieutenant Commander Kyu Nam Chu, Republic of Korea Navy

    Discuss minesweeping operations while on board USS Dixie (AD-14), in Korean Waters.
    The original photo is dated 22 November 1950.
    LtJG Short commanded USS Merganser (AMS-26) during initial Korean War service, beginning with her deployment from Guam in mid-September 1950.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 82KB; 740 x 610 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: NH 97024

    First Marine Division in Korea


    Marines "brushing up on marksmanship somewhere in Korea".
    Photo probably taken about New Year's Day, 1951, following the withdrawal from North Korea to the Pusan area. It was published in "All Hands" magazine's March 1951 issue.
    Marines in the foreground are firing M1 carbines. Most of those further up the line have M1 rifles.

    Official U.S. Marine Corps Photograph, from the "All Hands" collection at the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 125KB; 740 x 620 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 97025

    Seventh Marine Regiment in Korea


    Tug of war contest during "New Year 'Fun Day' competition held at the rest camp of the Seventh Marine Regiment, somewhere in Korea, 1951. These were the men who went into action against Chinese communists in North Korea Nov.2, and later led the breakout to Hamhung on December 10."
    Quoted portions are from the original picture caption. This rest camp was probably in the the Pusan area.

    Official U.S. Marine Corps Photograph, from the "All Hands" collection at the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 134KB; 740 x 620 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98794

    USS Haven
    (AH-12)

    At anchor at Inchon, South Korea, on 15 December 1950.
    Photographed by C. K. Rose, AF2.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the U.S. Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 60KB; 740 x 620 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 97016

    Pusan, Republic of Korea


    "Tough Korean Navy guards help maintain order in the port of Pusan, Korea. These men were trained in their duties by the U.S. Navy."
    The original photograph was released by Commander, Naval Forces, Far East, and is dated 31 December 1950.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the "All Hands" collection at the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 97KB; 610 x 765 pixels

     

    See Logistics & Support Activities in Korea for other views of support operations and facilities in Korea.


    For more pictures of the first months of the Korean War, see:

  • The North Korean Offensive, 25 June -- 15 September 1950;
  • The United Nations' Offensive, 15 September -- 25 November 1950;
  • The Chinese Offensive, 25 November 1950 -- 25 January 1951.

    For broader coverage of Korean War logistics & support efforts, see:

  • Korean War Logistics & Support, 1950-1953.

    For a precis of our Korean War images, and links to more comprehensive pictorial coverage of other aspects of that conflict, see:

  • The Korean War, June 1950 - July 1953 -- Introductory Overview and Special Image Selection.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    New links added 27 August 2000
    New image added 13 May 2005