Operation Ripper

Marines Fighting

The American and South Korean forces launched an operation on March 6, 1951 to recapture Seoul. It was successful and Seoul was liberated for a second time.

Operation Ripper was an all out campaign to recapture Seoul. The hope was to push the Chinese troops back to the 38th parallel where the war began. It began with the largest artillery bombardment of the war. The operation was launched on March 6, 1951 with the US I and IX Crops in the area of Seoul and the US X Crops together with the South Korean III Corp to the east. The American forces advanced quickly on Seoul, when American troops began to encircle the capital, the Chinese and North Korean forces withdrew. Before long the Chinese began a withdrawal all along the lines. Operation Ripper was successful.