Theatre of War 3: Korea features two major campaigns: the North Korean «The Leap of the Tiger» and the U.S. «Counteroffensive» campaigns, both of which are played on the new strategic overlay.

The Leap of the Tiger

In June 1950, North Korean troops, supported by artillery, crossed the 38th north parallel and invaded the Republic of Korea. Their army consisted of 135,000 soldiers, 150 T-34-85 tanks, and other military hardware. South Korea managed to call up 150,000 soldiers, though it lacked armored vehicles and aircraft. The North Korean advance was largely successful. On June 28, they captured Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea. But then, from July 3 onwards, by the decision of the UN Security Council, UN forces, mostly consisting of US troops, joined the conflict on the side of South Korea. Nevertheless, they could not push back the attack of the North Koreans, who on August 20 reached Pusan, the Republic's southernmost province.

Historical outcome:

In the first 82 days of the Korean War, the Korean People's Army marched south of the 38th north parallel, sweeping away all South Korean troops that stood in their way. From the beginning of September, the Korean People's Army waged an all-out offensive, defeating South Korean and US forces, and securing 90% of the country and 92% of the population. During this first stage of the war, US military command pulled in a huge numbers of aircrafts and ships, five infantry divisions, several independent infantry regiments, five High Command Reserve artillery regiments, and four separate tank battalions. In addition, US military command undertook a number of urgent measures to reinforce the South Korean troops with both military hardware and personnel. Nevertheless, they were unable to withstand the onslaught of the Korean People's Army, and the US forces were forced to retreat. The Korean People's Army was a hair's breadth from seizing the entire Pusan area, but they lacked airborne and naval forces, and were suffering significant casualties, including losses of tanks and artillery.

Counteroffensive

Thanks to the superior air and artillery support of UN Command, North Korean troops failed to break through the Pusan Perimeter and drive its defenders into the sea. On the contrary, the powerful counterattack launched by the US and South Korean army forced North Korea to abandon a number of its key positions. By mid-September of 1950, the North Koreans were entirely on the defensive.

Having secured the area of Pusan, South Korean forces began planning their counteroffensive. They would destroy the North Korean troops and occupy the whole of Korea.

The plan called for two strikes: the first by ground troops delivered from the Pusan area, and the second by seaborne troops from Incheon. Together, they would encircle and destroy the North Korean troops in South Korea.

On the main axis of advance, UN Command deployed six infantry divisions, one infantry brigade, three independent artillery divisions, and three independent armor battalions. Air support was to be provided by as many as 1100 attack aircraft. The Incheon landing was to be secured by the US X Corps, comprised of the 1st Marine Division (US), the 7th Infantry Division (US), the 41 Commando (Great Britain), and the 17th Infantry Regiment (Republic of Korea). Their support was to be provided by 250 ships and some 500 aircraft.

The counteroffensive was launched on September 15, 1950.

Historical outcome:

The UN and South Korean forces were unified under a common goal – the destruction of the North Korean forces, and the rectification of borders. They were determined to push the North Koreans back across the northern borders of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and they were successful. It was an astonishing reversal, and could only have been accomplished with the full cooperation of ground, air, and naval forces, who delivered coordinated, simultaneous strikes to the front, flanks and enemy rears, with the support of numerous air and artillery units. Their personnel and military hardware superiority served them well, for the enemy lacked air defenses, artillery, and tanks.