Second Battle of Naktong Bulge

Second Battle of Naktong Bulge
Part of the Battle of Pusan Perimeter
Troops of the US 9th Infantry await North Korean attacks across the Naktong River, September 3.
Date September 1–15, 1950 Location Naktong River, South Korea Result United Nations victory
Belligerents
United Nations  United States  South Korea	North Korea
Commanders and leaders
Laurence B. Keiser Edward A. Craig	Lee Ch'ong Song Pak Kyo Sam Lee Kwon Mu Kim Tae Hong
Units involved
2nd Infantry Division 1st Provisional Marine Brigade ROK National Police	2nd Division 9th Division 4th Division 10th Division
Strength
21,788	28,350

The Second Battle of Naktong Bulge was an engagement between United Nations Command (UN) and North Korean forces early in the Korean War from September 1 to September 15, 1950, along the Naktong River in South Korea. It was a part of the Battle of Pusan Perimeter, and was one of several large engagements fought simultaneously. The battle ended in a victory for the United Nations after large numbers of United States Army (US) troops repelled a strong Korean People's Army (KPA) attack.

After the First Battle of Naktong Bulge, the US 2nd Infantry Division was moved to defend the Naktong River line. The division, which was untried in combat, was struck with a strong attack by several KPA divisions which crossed the river and struck all along the division's line. The force of the attack split the 2nd Infantry Division in half, and the KPA were able to penetrate to Yongsan, promoting a fight there.

The urgency of the threat to Pusan Perimeter prompted the US Marine Corps 1st Provisional Marine Brigade to be brought in to reinforce the US Army troops. In two weeks of heavy fighting, the US forces were able to force the KPA out of the Naktong Bulge region. The KPA were outflanked by the Inchon landings on 15 September and on 16 September the UN forces began their breakout from the Pusan Perimeter which drove the KPA from the area.