April 22, 1951: Chinese launch ‘Spring Offensive’

The Chinese launch their “Spring Offensive” — also known as the Fifth Offensive — with the intent of re-taking Seoul.

With 700,000 men, several battles begin, including the Battle of the Imjin River just north of the 38th parallel. China’s commander-in-chief General Peng Dehuai proclaims before the battle that the “puppet” armies of the United Nations will be crushed. He’s referring, in part, to Britain’s 29th Infantry Brigade.

Although dramatically outnumbered, and at one point nearly surrounded, the Brits are able to hold off the attacking Chinese and are able to move to a strongly fortified position north of Seoul.

The Chinese Spring Offensive fails to re-take Seoul. A stalemate settles in — a stalemate that will largely define the remaining two years of the Korean War.