Today is the 58th anniversary of the start of the Korean War that began on June 25, 1950 when North Korean tanks rolled across the 38th parallel and started the bloodiest and most tragic war in Korean history with effects that remains to this day. Last year I attended ceremonies held at the Korean War Memorial in Yongsan which included the release of never before seen photos to the public. I have uploaded these pictures and I will be posting them over the next couple of days. Some of these images are really incredible and I highly recommend everyone check them out.

To start out with here is a picture of Seoul on the very morning that war broke out on June 25, 1950:

The pictures below of North Korean tanks rolling towards Seoul brings to mind the South Korean army’s battle against these very tanks during the Battle of Uijongbu:

The Han River Bridge was the lone crossing point across the Han River at the time:

When the bridge was blown it killed many civilians and even military personnel left on the bridge even though the North Koreans were hours away from reaching the bridge. It also left thousands of ROK Army soldiers and equipment left on the north side of the river. The hasty destruction of this bridge was a major early blunder of the Korean War:

The Suwon Fortress still stands today and looks a lot better now then it did in 1950:

By July 1950 more US Forces were rushed to the Korean peninsula to include aircraft which inflicted damage on the North Korean armor:

This picture of ROK Army soldiers being rushed to the front line happens to be on the same day that the first American unit, Taskforce Smith engaged the North Korean enemy:

As ROK and US soldiers headed north to confront the enemy waves of South Korean refugees headed south in July 1950:

This picture is of the destruction of the Keum River Bridge during the 24th Infantry Division’s desperate defense of Daejon:

US tanks battle along the Pusan perimeter in August 1950:

ROK Army soldiers advanced to reinforce the Pusan Perimeter:

This picture gives a great indication of how desperate the refugee situation during the Korean War really was:

US artillery in action along the Pusan Perimeter:

Captured North Korean soldiers:

Korean Service Corps personnel evacuate dead US GI’s:

The US Air Force bombs along the Naktong River defense line:

US tanks from the 25th Infantry Division defending near the Naktong River:

North Korean artillery shells a US position along the Pusan perimeter in September 1950:

As US troops fought in the south of country the US Air Force conducted bombing raids over North Korea:

Female North Korean soldiers march:

North Korean tanks stuck on a collapsed bridge near Anyang:

ROK soldiers board ships in preparation for General MacArthur’s Incheon Landing Operation:

As the Incheon Landing Operation was underway the Air Force conducted bombing operations over Seoul:

After the successful Incheon landing Operation US and ROK troops launched an offensive operation to recapture the South Korean capitol of Seoul:

US soldiers battle to retake Seoul:

Woman stands beside her destroyed home in Seoul:

ROK troops patrol through the streets of Seoul after the cities recapture:

General MacArthur holds a ceremony to formally hand control of Seoul back to South Korean President Syngman Rhee:

Next Posting: Remembering the Korean War in Pictures - Part 2

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