Operation Rat Killer

1951–1952 military operation in the Korean War

Operation Rat Killer

Part of the Korean War
| Date| December 1951 – February 1952

|

Location|

Jirisan, Korea

Result|  ROK Victory, suppression of the guerrillas
Belligerents
South Korea
United States|  North Korea
Commanders and leaders
Paik Sun Yup|  Lee Hyun-sang
Strength
11,000
60|  10,000[1]
Casualties and losses
|  5,800 killed,
5,700 captured

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Korean War

North Korean offensive
(25 June – 15 September 1950)

* Pokpung
* Chuncheon
* 1st Seoul
* Gorangpo
* Kaesong–Munsan
* Ongjin
* Uijeongbu
* Suwon Airfield
* Air Campaign
* Andong
* Chumonchin Chan
* Osan
* Pyongtaek
* Chonan
* Chochiwon
* Taejon
* Sangju
* Yongdong
* Hwanggan
* Hadong
* Notch
* Pusan Perimeter
* Masan
* P'ohang-dong
* Taegu
* 1st Naktong Bulge
* Bowling Alley
* Battle Mountain
* Kyongju
* Haman
* Nam River
* Ka-san
* Tabu-dong
* Yongsan
* 2nd Naktong Bulge

United Nations Command counteroffensive
(15 September – 30 October 1950)

* Inchon
* Pusan Perimeter offensive
* 2nd Seoul
* UN September 1950 counteroffensive
* Hill 282
* UN offensive into North Korea
* Sariwon
* Pyongyang
* Yongyu
* Kujin
* Chongju
* Sunchon tunnel

Chinese Intervention
(25 October 1950 – January 1951)

* Onjong
* Unsan
* Pakchon
* Second Phase Offensive
* Ch'ongch'on River
* Wawon
* Chosin Reservoir
* Task Force Faith
* UN retreat from North Korea
* Hungnam evacuation
* 3rd Seoul
* Uijeongbu
* 1st and 2nd Wonju
* Pohang

Fighting around the 38th parallel
(January – June 1951)

* Happy Valley
* Thunderbolt
* Twin Tunnels
* Roundup
* Hoengsong
* Chipyong-ni
* 3rd Wonju
* Chuam-ni
* Wonsan
* Killer
* 4th Seoul (Operation Ripper)
* Maehwa-san
* Courageous
* Tomahawk
* Rugged
* Dauntless
* Spring offensive
* Imjin River
* Yultong
* Hwacheon
* Kapyong
* Soyang River
* UN May–June 1951 counteroffensive

Stalemate
(July 1951 – 27 July 1953)

* Bloody Ridge
* Minden
* Punchbowl
* Heartbreak Ridge
* Commando
* 1st Maryang-san
* Haktang-ni
* Polecharge
* 2nd Maryang-san
* Rat Killer
* Hill Eerie
* Old Baldy
* Blaze
* Bunker Hill
* Outpost Kelly
* White Horse Hill
* Arrowhead Hill
* Triangle Hill
* Jackson Heights
* Noris
* 1st Hook
* 2nd Hook
* Chatkol
* Outpost Vegas
* Pork Chop Hill
* Little Switch
* Nevada Complex
* 3rd Hook
* Outpost Harry
* Kumsong
* Berlin Outposts and Boulder City
* Samichon River
* Korean Armistice Agreement
* Big Switch
* Panmunjom Declaration

Air operations
(1950 – 1953)

* Air Campaign
* MiG Alley
* Sunchon
* Strangle
* Sui-ho Dam
* Bombing of North Korea 1950–1953

Naval operations
(1950 – 1953)

* Naval engagements of the Korean War

For further information, see also:
Korean War (template)

Operation Rat Killer was a Korean War operation carried out by Republic of Korea forces and United States advisers from December 1951 into February 1952. It was aimed at eradicating communist guerrilla forces operating in zones occupied by the United Nations forces. The operation involved two Korean Army divisions, the Capital Division and the 8th Division, several regiments of the Korean National Police, a ROKAF squadron of Mustang fighter-bombers, and about sixty United States experts. The operation was under the command of General Paik Sun Yup. The operation's particular priority was the mountainous area of Jirisan.

Before the operation, the guerrillas were allegedly responsible for harassing nearly a third of UN forces and conducting regular attacks on roads and railways used by them. After the operation, the guerrilla forces were greatly weakened, although a resurgence remained a threat until the end of the war.[2]

## Background[edit]

In 1951, a large number of communist guerrilla groups, ranging in size from a few hundred to several thousand, were operating in territory supposedly controlled by UN forces and were attacking roads and railways, sniping at UN forces, and raising funds from local inhabitants. These guerrilla bands were particularly active in the Jirisan mountains, although sniping and guerrilla activity had been reported even in the capital, Seoul. Local anti-communist militias formed to fight back, sometimes engaging in savage reprisals against villages deemed to be supporting the guerrillas.

## Outcome[edit]

After the operation, communist guerrilla forces were greatly weakened, although thousands of Republic of Korea police had to remain in the area, supported by up to 11,000 local militia known as the Young Volunteers, in order to prevent the resurgence of the remaining guerrilla forces, who may have numbered about 3,000.[3]

According to Republic of Korea records, 5,800 guerrilla fighters were killed and 5,700 were captured. U.S. records claim 9,000 guerrillas were killed, while some sources estimate as many as 10,000.[4]

## References[edit]

1. ^ Moon, Kwon (2020). ROK Army Operations in the Jirisan Region During the Korean War: David Galula's Counterinsurgency Theory in Action (PDF). Fort Leavenworth, KS: School of Advanced Military Studies US Army Command and General Staff Colleg. p. 15. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
2. ^ "yup". www.nj.gov. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
3. ^ "The Korean War: the Korean version". London Korean Links. 2009-08-12. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
4. ^ Boose, Professor Donald W. Jr.; Matray, Professor James I. (2014-08-28). The Ashgate Research Companion to the Korean War. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 9781472405838.

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