The Western Pacific D+12 (21 July, 1987) Part I

Fighting on the Korean peninsula intensified throughout the day. The strategy for the North Korean offensive was quite apparent, and the same held true for the defensive plans of the Combined Forces Command (CFC). There was little room for subterfuge, or deceit on the ground. South Korea’s geography shaped the respective battle plans, and was …

The Western Pacific D+11 (20 July, 1987) Part I

On the Korean Peninsula all of the major fighting took place north of the Han River on D+11. The North Korean first echelon divisions continued to drive south, seeking to create a hole in the Combined Forces lines for the mechanized infantry and tank divisions waiting behind the lines to exploit. The North Koreans were …

The Western Pacific D+10 (19 July, 1987) Part II

The damage and chaos caused by North Korean sabotage, and commando raids on USAF and South Korean airbases earlier in the morning directly affected the number of fighters that were available to counter the inbound North Korean air raids. Also of some consequence to the defenders was the discovery that some ROK air defense, and …

The Western Pacific D+10 (19 July, 1987) Part I

Hostilities officially erupted on the Korean Peninsula at 0423 hours, 19 July, 1987. The first overt clash between North Korean (NK) and South Korean (ROK) military forces occurred in the Yellow Sea. A North Korean diesel submarine was detected and sunk by a pair of ROK S-2 Trackers as it made a shallow approach towards …

The Western Pacific D+7-D+9 (16-18 July, 1987)

D+7 A series of skirmishes break out between ships, submarines, and aircraft of the Soviet Red Banner Pacific Fleet and the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force throughout the day. Two Japanese destroyers, and an attack submarine are sunk, and at least four other ships of various classes damaged. Soviet losses are estimated to be three …

The Western Pacific D+1-D+6 (10 July-15 July, 1987)

D+1 (10 July, 1987) Skirmishes erupt on the DMZ in Korea between ROK and North Korean forces. The clashes are brief, and limited to exchanges of small arms fire.   US B-52 bombers based at Andersen AFB, Guam are dispersed to alternate airfields in the Northern Marianas.   North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung gives a …

The Western Pacific D+0 (9 July, 1987)**

World War III arrived in the Western Pacific with an anticlimactic whimper, not the violent crescendo that had been widely anticipated for days. It was 12:00 PM in Seoul and Tokyo when the first official reports began making their way to the region from Europe. Hostilities were breaking out from the northern reaches of Norway …