The Military Stalemate Around the 38th Parallel

What was the stalemate in the Korean War?

By 1951, after many successes and failures on both sides, the Korean War had reached a stalemate at the 38th parallel. Neither the UN forces, nor the Chinese and North Korean troops, could push the other back or gain a strategic advantage.

When did the stalemate in the Korean War happen?

The stalemate was reached in the middle of 1951, after the UN forces recaptured Seoul in March 1951.

Where did the stalemate happen in the Korean War?

The stalemate in the Korean War took place along the 38th parallel. The UN forces were positioned in South Korea, and the Chinese and North Korean troops were positioned in North Korea.

How did UN forces try to break the stalemate in the Korean War?

In December 1951 the front line along the 38th parallel was holding steady, with both sides trying to break each other's heavily fortified positions. The USA took various actions in an attempt to end the stalemate and get North Korea to surrender.

• ❖ The USA decided to take advantage of its air power.
• ❖ They bombed North Korean villages, towns and cities, as well as transportation infrastructure, factories, and military assets.
• ❖ The USA used napalm in the bombings. Estimates suggest up to 1,000,000 people, including civilians, were killed in the campaign.

How did Chinese and North Korean forces try to break the stalemate in the Korean War?

Chinese and North Korean troops fought back in the air and battled with UN forces in the skies over Korea for almost 2 years.

How did the USSR get involved in the stalemate in the Korean War?

Stalin sent military equipment, ammunition, and Soviet fighter planes and pilots to support the Chinese and North Korean troops.

How did the USSR conceal its involvement in the stalemate in the Korean War?

Stalin only agreed to send aid to Chinese and North Korean troops as long as the USA would not find out. He was concerned about the possibility of direct confrontation between the USSR and America, and took steps to conceal his nation's involvement.

• ❖ All Soviet planes were painted with Chinese or North Korean symbols.
• ❖ Stalin forbade Soviet pilots from speaking Russian on the radio.
• ❖ Soviet pilots wore Chinese uniforms.

What were the results of attempts to break the stalemate in the Korean War?

The battle in the air between both sides raged for almost 2 years. UN forces lost approximately 3,500 planes, while North Korea, China and the Soviets lost almost 3,000. However, neither managed to end the stalemate.