Battle of Taebaek

Battle of Taebaek
Part of the Asianna and the Pacific Campaign of the Second Europan War
Lucian troops in the ruins of Taebaek
Date 21 June - 30 July 1940 Location Taebaek, East Joyonghea, North Asianna Result Allied Operational Success Taebaek falls on 30 July Quenminese pockets hold out until 3 August
Belligerents
United Kingdom Zanarkand New Akiba Joyonghea	Empire of Quenmin Hamyong Government
Commanders and leaders
Okita Hanamura Albert Crocker Simmon Denzel Crocker Namgung Wook-yun	Hồ Danh Sĩ Quốc Ong Thao Pin Phang Duc Nguyen Cheon Im-jong
Units involved
11th Armoured Division 57th "Cornwall" Division 7th Zanarkian Division 3rd Infantry Division	95th "Iron Claw" Division 65th Division 1st Mechanized Division 21st Militia Force
Casualties and losses
1,247 wounded or killed 39 tanks	2,487 wounded or killed 57 tanks 5 captured

The Battle of Taebaek (21 June - 30 July 1940) took place in and on the outskirts of the town of Taebaek, which was just 9 kms from the beachheads at Samcheok. Elements of the elite Quenminese 95th "Iron Claw" Division under the direct command of General Ong Thao Pin and engaged with the 11th Armoured Division under the command of General Okita Hanamura. The fierce defences on the outskirts delayed the advance of Lucian forces until their entry on 28 June. Supported by the Joyonghean 3rd Infantry Division, the Lucian-Joyonghean forces engaged in a bloody street-by-street combat inside the town. Royal Artillery bombardment reduced 40% of the town into rubble, which gave the defenders the advantage.

By the 15th of July, the 57th "Cornwall" Division under General Albert Crocker reinforced the Lucian-Joyonghean forces inside Taebaek while the 7th Zanarkian Division under General Simmon Denzel Crocker's command was sent in as reinforcements from the south. The Zanarkian forces engaged with the Quenminese on the outskirts of the town and managed to link up with the 57th Division, which prevented the Quenminese from sending reinforcements to the town. The remaining Quenminese forces in the town fought a battle to the last man until 30 July, with only 5 Quenminese troops surrendering.