8th Infantry Division (South Korea)

The 8th Mechanized Infantry Division is a military formation of the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA).

8th Infantry Division
8th Division insignia
FoundedJune 20, 1949 (1949-06-20)
Country South Korea
Branch Republic of Korea Army
TypeInfantry (Mechanized)
RoleZone defense
Garrison/HQYangju, Gyeonggi
Nickname(s)"Roly Poly"
EngagementsKorean War
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Lt. Col. Park Shi Ch'ang

History

The unit initially comprised the 10th, 16th and 21st Regiments.[1] The 16th Infantry Regiment was originally activated as the 16th Regiment on October 28, 1948, at Masan and was first commanded by Lt. Col. Park Shi Ch'ang (Korean: 박시창).[2]

The 8th Infantry Division was activated as the 8th Division on June 20, 1949 at Kangnung and was first commanded by Brig. General Lee Hyong Kun. The unit originally comprised the 10th and 21st Regiments.

Following its activation the 8th Division was positioned near the 38th parallel.

Korean War

It became part of I Corps after the first fall of Seoul. Was part of the defensive line to slow the North Korean advance from Seoul to Taejon. Fought in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter.[3]

Supporting the Eighth United States Army advance towards China, the 24th Division and the attached British 27th Brigade positioned on the left, proceeded to the Chongchon; the ROK II Corps, with the ROK 1st Division, advanced on the right. To the east the 8th Division reached Tokchon, forty miles north of Pyongyang, during the night of October 23, and then turned north and arrived at Kujang-dong on the Chongchon River, about ten miles from Tokchon, two days later. After the Chinese intervention in the war, Chinese troops broke the defences of its 16th Regiment during the battle on October 31, 1950.[4]

After the Chinese intervention and attacks in November 1950, the division was among five allied formations (including the ROK 6th, 7th, and 8th Divisions) that the U.S. Army judged 'were shattered units that would need extensive rest and refitting to recover combat effectiveness.'[5]

Current disposition

December 1, 2011, 8th Infantry Division has finished the switch to mechanized infantry; and is currently part of the U.S. and South Korean combined division with its wartime command being the U.S. Army 2nd Infantry Division. December 1, 2016, 8th Mechanized Infantry Division was reassigned from V Corps to VII Corps in order to prepare for future reorganization. November 30, 2018, 8th Mechanized Infantry Division was consolidated with 26th Mechanized Infantry Division. Although 8th Division retained its name, its original subordinate forces were either dissolved or replaced.

  • Headquarters:
    • Engineer Battalion
    • Intelligence Battalion
    • Support Battalion
    • Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
    • Medical Battalion
    • Signal Battalion
    • CBR Battalion
    • Air Defense Battalion
    • Military Police Battalion
    • Replacement Company
    • Headquarters Company
  • 60th Mechanized Infantry Brigade (formerly under 20th Mechanized Infantry Division)
  • 73rd Mechanized Infantry Brigade (formerly under 26th Mechanized Infantry Division)
  • Division Artillery Brigade
  • 1st Armor Mechanized Brigade (known as Cavalry Brigade, formerly under Capital Mechanized Infantry Division)

See also

References
  1. Pike, John. "8th Infantry Division". www.globalsecurity.org.
  2. Pike, John. "16th Infantry Regiment". www.globalsecurity.org.
  3. "The Korean War: The Outbreak". www.army.mil.
  4. The Korean War: The UN Offensive. United States Army Center of Military History. 1986 [1953]. CMH Pub 104-4. Archived from the original on 2010-06-12.
  5. "The Korean War: The Chinese Intervention". www.army.mil.
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