Taejon Airfield | |
---|---|
Coordinates | 35°10′10″N 129°07′54″E / 35.16944°N 129.13167°E |
Type | Military airfield |
Site information | |
Controlled by | United States Air Force |
Condition | abandoned |
Site history | |
Built | 1940s |
In use | 1940s-50s |
Battles/wars | Battle of Taejon |
Taejon Airfield also known as K-5 Air Base was a former United States Air Force (USAF) and Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) air base northwest of the city of Taejon, South Korea.[1] In the postwar period it was enveloped by the city of Daejeon and is now a commercial and residential area.
Following their defeats at Osan, Pyongtaek and Chonan, the depleted US 24th Infantry Division established a defensive line on the Kum River, north of Taejon. On 14 July 1950, the Korean People's Army (KPA) attacked the Kum River line, by 16 July had broken through the U.S. defenses and the remnants of the U.S units fell back on Taejon. The airfield was defended by the divisional artillery consolidated as a composite battalion and the 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment.[2] On 18 July 8th Army Commander Lieutenant General Walton Walker flew into Taejon and met with the 24th Division's commander Major General William Dean to instruct him to hold Taejon until the 1st Cavalry Division could move up from Pohang. By 19 July the KPA were attacking the outskirts of Taejon including the airfield, the attack was supported by air strikes by 6 Korean People's Air Force (KPAF) Yak fighters and heavy artillery fire.[3] On the night of 19/20 July KPA forces supported by tanks had surrounded Taejon city and seized the airfield and began attacking towards the center in the early morning, the remnants of the 24th Infantry Division withdrew towards Okcheon and Yeongdong on the afternoon of 20 July.
Taejon was recaptured by the 24th Infantry Division .[4]
In the postwar period the airfield was enveloped by the city of Daejeon and it is now a commercial and residential area.