2nd Division (North Korea)

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[edit] History

The 2nd Infantry Division was a military formation of the Korean People's Army during the 20th Century.

The exact date when the 2nd Infantry Division was established is in dispute. The US Army in a Korean War era intelligence document indicates that the division was formed in 1946. However, Korea Institute of Military History argues that the 2nd Infantry Division was established sometime after May 1947 when the 2nd Security Officers Training Center was redesignated and reformed into the 2nd Infantry Division. This took place when North Korea reorganized the Security Officers Training Command into the People's Army Training Group.

Both sources indicate that the early history of the 2d Division is similar to that of the 1st Division. Originally composed of the 4th, 5th, and 6th Regiments, the 5th Regiment was left at Naman when the division moved to Wonsan. At Wonsan the division was brought to strength by the incorporation of the newly formed 17th Regiment. The 5th Regiment was later moved to Pyongyang and absorbed by the 4th Division.

Initially organized with a total strength of roughly 14,000 soldiers, the units command post was initially locaed at Nanam and was commanded by Major General Kang Kon.

Well trained and combat-wise, this unit had given a good account of itself during the early part of the Korean War. During much of August 1950 it had been out of the line presumably for regrouping and rest.^[1]

Was part of the North Korean advance from Seoul to Taejon.

Fought in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter.^[2]

Those artillery units that had retained some semblance of cohesion and succeeded in reaching the II Corps assembly area in the vicinity of Hoeyang were subjected to a thorough reorganization. While training in this area from mid-March to mid-May 1951, the divisional artillery units as well as other elements of the 2d Division were brought up to strength through, the integration of replacements. During this time, too, limited quantities of artillery pieces were received including 120mm Soviet type mortars that were manufactured in P'yongyang. When the 2d Division had completed its reorganization and retraining in May and was committed in the renewed communist offensive effort, the so-called 2d 'Impulse of the Fifth Phase Offensive", it enjoyed a greater artillery support potential than at any time since its reconstitution, although still below T/O and E requirements. The divisional artillery regiment was equipped with five 122mm howitzers and between four and six 76mm field guns and had a strength of approximately 800 men. The antitank battalion had increased its armament to around eight 45mm antitank guns. Within the rifle regiments the supporting fire delivered by a limited number of 120mm mortars could be supplemented by a considerable amount of battalion artillery (which the typical rifle battalion averaged about five 82mm mortars, two 45mm antitank guns, four or five antitank rifles and occasionally some captured US rocket launchers).

Considerable personnel casualties and losses of artillery equipment were sustained in the May offensive which carried the 2d Division to the gates of Hajinbu-ri. When in late May and early June the division was forced to withdraw to the Inje Area under strong UN pressure, further significant artillery losses vere inflicted by particularly effective and accurate UN artillery fire. With the tactical situation more or less stabilized the division, while fighting a defensive action in the Inje Sector for the next few months, found time to reorganize its artillery units and bring them up to T/O strength through the integration of replacements. At the same time the rifle regiments apparently received a limited amount of artillery, or field guns, including 76mm regimental howitzers and 120mm and 82mm mortars so that by mid-August regimental and battalion artillery units were approaching, but had not yet reached, full strength in personnel as well as equipment.

[edit] References