Battle of Pyongtaek

Battle of Pyongtaek
Part of the Korean War
Map of the 34th Infantry Regiment's delay action from July 5 to 8
Date July 6, 1950; 74 years ago (1950-07-06) Location Pyongtaek, South Korea Result North Korean victory
Belligerents
United Nations  United States	North Korea
Commanders and leaders
George B. Barth Jay B. Lovless	Lee Kwon Mu
Units involved
34th Infantry Regiment	4th Infantry Division 16th Infantry Regiment 18th Infantry Regiment 105th Armored Division 107th Tank Regiment
Strength
2,000	12,000
Casualties and losses
33 killed or missing[n 1] and 18 wounded[1]	Unknown

The Battle of Pyongtaek was the second engagement between United States and North Korean forces during the Korean War, occurring on July 6, 1950, in the village of Pyongtaek in western South Korea. The fight ended in a North Korean victory following unsuccessful attempts by American forces to inflict significant damage or delays on advancing North Korean units, despite several opportunities to do so.

The United States Army's 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division was assigned to delay elements of the North Korean People's Army's 4th Infantry Division as it advanced south following its victory at the Battle of Osan the day before. The regiment emplaced at Pyongtaek and Ansong attempting to form a line to hold the North Koreans in an area where the terrain formed a bottleneck between mountains and the Yellow Sea.

Half of the regiment's strength was ordered to retreat from its position before the North Korean force was encountered, leaving the flank open for the remaining force, 1st Battalion at Pyongtaek. The battalion encountered North Korean forces the morning of July 6, and after a brief fight, was unable to repel them effectively. The battalion then mounted a disorganized retreat to Cheonan several miles away, having failed to significantly delay the North Korean forces in their movement south.

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