3rd Division (North Korea)
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The 3rd Infantry Division was a military formation of the Korean People's Army during the 20th Century. The exact date of formation is in dispute, but it occurred sometime between May 1947 and October 1948, at Pyongyang. In its organization the 3d Division seemingly paralleled the structural pattern of the typical North Korean Infantry Division with the 7th, 8th and 9th Rifle Regiments forming the combat nucleus in keeping with the standard triangular organization of North Korean military formations. Organized with a total strength of roughly 3,400 soldiers, the Division's command post was initially located at Pyongyang and was commanded by Major General Choi Min Chol.
Sometime during the early part of 1949 divisional headquarters is reported to have moved to Hamhung, where the 9th Regiment was undergoing training. The division by that time was close to full strength and except for the incoming recruits most of the men had completed basic training. In June 1949 those elements of the 3d Division that were stationed at Hamhung were allegedly transferred to new locations in a move that was designed to make room for newly-organized units of the North Korean Army. Division Headquarters is said to have moved to Wonsan where the artillery units and the 8th Infantry Regiment were already stationed, while the 9th Regiment moved farther south to the Kumhwa Area, placing it close to the 7th Regiment located at Ch’orwon. Shortly after this move was accomplished the division is said to have begun advanced training with units spending most of their time in the field.
Was part of the North Korean advance from Seoul to Taejon.
Fought in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter.[1]
During the UN outbreak from the Pusan Perimeter in mid-September, the Division controlled Hills 268 and 121, along the southern approach of the Waegwan-Taegu road, one of the key positions. In many cases, the North Koreans fought to the last man, but after suffering a two day assault by the 1st Cavalry Division and the 5th Regimental Combat Team, including three flights of U.S. Air Force F–51 Mustang fighters dropping napalm, firing rockets, and strafing runs, they lost the hill. With the loss of these key positions, the 3d Division’s defenses around Waegwan broke apart and its troops began a panic-stricken retreat across the Naktong. Aerial observers estimated that fifteen hundred North Koreans crossed to the west side of the Naktong just above Waegwan. Further reports indicated that the roads north of the town were jammed with North Korean soldiers in groups of ten to three hundred.[2] Reports furthermore contend that when the remaining units of the division withdrew across the Naktong River just north of Waegwan, they sustained tremendous casualties and were practically annihilated. According to fragmentary reports, division headquarters and other elements of the 3d Division, totaling approximately 1,800 men, succeeded in reaching Sangju where they were ordered to retreat north.[3]
