Chemulpo, Korea 1904-1950

After having destroyed the Russian fleet based there in the Russo-Japanese war, during the night of 9-10 February 1904 the Japanese landed their army at Chemulpo. In so doing, they achieved not only complete surprise, but accomplished a logistical masterpiece. Due to the tidal situation of the area, it was necessary for thousands of Japanese troops and all their supplies to be lightered 1.5 miles to shore. Within eight hours, these were marching northward through the streets of Seoul, the Korean capital.

This may seem like a trivial incident in a long forgotten war, had it not been for Chemulpo's history. During the nearly four decades of Japanese occupation, the city grew considerably and became heavily industrialized under its new name of Jinsen. Following Korea's independence after Japan's defeat in WWII, the city was again renamed Inchon. Marines are long familiar with the importance of the landings made there during the fall of 1950 in opening a second front and relieving pressure on the Pusan perimeter. This landing was considered by many to be an original stroke of military genius by the American Far Easr Commander (who accepted the accolades) but was it? During the landings there in 1904 there was an observer on the Japanese side who was a young 2nd Lt. fresh from West Point assigned to his father's staff. His name was Douglas MacArthur.