After exploring the serenity of Heungryunsa Temple, we walked next door to the memorial commemorating the landing of the United Nations forces during September 15-19, 1950, which led to the recapture of Seoul from the Communist forces of North Korea, China and the Soviet Union.
The Incheon Landing Operation Memorial Hall is a war memorial hall built to commemorate the anniversary of the opening of Incheon Port in 1984. The memorial centers on the successful Incheon landing operation which was led by the United Nations Commander in Chief General McArthur during the Korean War...
Murals commemorate the Korea War that led to establishment of peace on the peninsula...
The memorial honors the sixteen nations, mainly allies of the United States who helped repulse the Communist onslaught...
A battle tank that was during the war...
An amphibious vehicle that was used in the Incheon landing operations...
The landing operations began on September 15, 1950 and ended on September 19, 1950. The United Nations and South Korean forces had been forced to retreat to Busan, with most of the territory of South Korea coming under the North Korean command. Even around Busan, the North Koreans looked formidable, with few options for the defenders. The United Nations forces were faced with a Hobson's Choice. To regain control of South Korea, they had to strike back decisively in the middle of the peninsula.
The United Nations forces launched a surprise amphibious assault around the largely undefended city of Incheon. The Incheon landing turned the tide of the Korean War leading and ended the string of victories by the invading North Koreans and led to the recapture of Seoul.
The United Nations and South Korean forces were commanded by General Douglas MacArthur of the United States Army. He was the driving force behind the operation, overcoming the strong concerns of more cautious generals to a risky assault over extremely unfavorable terrain around Incheon.
An anti-aircraft gun used in the operations...
The Hawk guided missile...
A sculpture depicting American Marines climbing a sea wall at Manseok-dong to being the operation!
An F-86F Sabre fighter which was deployed during the Korean War by the Americans...
Later in 1955, this fighter was acquired by the Korean Air Force...
As we entered the exhibit hall, we were greeted by a volunteer, who was a war veteran. When he got to know we are from India, his face lit up. He said India had provided timely medical assistance and oversaw the exchange of POWs during the war. And he mentioned that he has a lot of respect for India because of our support. Besides India, a few other nations - Denmark, Italy, Israel, Norway and Sweden had also provided medical aid...
Seeing India's flag and hearing the veteran's appreciation made us feel immensely proud...
The various stages of the Korean War...
General McArthur leading the operations...
A South Korean army fatigue from the 1950s...
The blockade during the landing operation depicted on a model...
A bust of General McArthur...
Battle fatigues...
Winter uniform...
From the memorial, we drove to Korea's only Chinatown located in the old Incheon port area. This habitation came into being with the opening of the Incheon Port in 1883. Incheon was then designated as an external territory of the Chinese Qing Dynasty. Ethnic Chinese came here as traders importing goods from China, but today most Chinese businesses here are restaurants.
It was apparent that unlike Chinatowns elsewhere not all traditional cultures of the first generation have been preserved, the Koreanization was apparent.
Wonder what this was supposed to mean in Chinatown?
Oh no, Hello Kitty again...
