What Weapons Were Used in the Korean War?
The Korean War, which lasted from 1950 to 1953, was a pivotal conflict that involved the United States, China, and several other countries. The war was fought primarily with conventional weapons, with both sides employing a wide range of firearms, artillery, and aircraft. In this article, we will explore the various weapons used during the Korean War.
Infantry Weapons
Infantry weapons played a crucial role in the Korean War, as both sides relied heavily on foot soldiers to engage the enemy. The following are some of the most common infantry weapons used during the war:
- Rifles: The M1 Garand rifle was the standard-issue rifle for the US military during the Korean War. The M1 Garand was a semi-automatic rifle that fired a.30-06 Springfield cartridge. The North Korean and Chinese armies also used rifles, including the Mosin-Nagant and the SKS.
- Submachine Guns: The M3 Grease Gun and the Thompson submachine gun were used by US forces during the Korean War. The M3 Grease Gun was a lightweight, blowback-operated submachine gun that fired a.45 ACP cartridge. The Thompson submachine gun was a more powerful weapon that fired a.45 ACP cartridge and was used by US special forces.
- Machine Guns: The M1919 Browning machine gun was a common machine gun used by US forces during the Korean War. The M1919 was a belt-fed machine gun that fired a.30-06 Springfield cartridge. The North Korean and Chinese armies also used machine guns, including the Maxim machine gun and the Type 53 machine gun.
- Hand Grenades: Hand grenades were used by both sides during the Korean War. The US military used the Mk 2 fragmentation grenade, while the North Korean and Chinese armies used their own versions of hand grenades.
Artillery
Artillery played a significant role in the Korean War, as both sides used it to bombard enemy positions and provide supporting fire for infantry units. The following are some of the most common artillery pieces used during the war:
- Field Artillery: The M114 155mm howitzer was a common field artillery piece used by US forces during the Korean War. The M114 was a towed artillery piece that fired a 155mm shell. The North Korean and Chinese armies also used field artillery, including the M1938 122mm howitzer and the Type 54 122mm howitzer.
- Anti-Tank Guns: The M3 90mm anti-tank gun was used by US forces during the Korean War to engage enemy tanks and fortifications. The M3 was a towed anti-tank gun that fired a 90mm shell.
- Rocket Artillery: The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) was used by US forces during the Korean War to fire rockets at enemy positions. The M270 was a self-propelled rocket artillery system that fired a variety of rockets, including the M26 227mm rocket.
Aircraft
Aircraft played a significant role in the Korean War, as both sides used them to conduct bombing missions, provide close air support, and engage enemy aircraft. The following are some of the most common aircraft used during the war:
- Fighter Jets: The F-80 Shooting Star was a common fighter jet used by US forces during the Korean War. The F-80 was a single-seat, single-engine jet fighter that fired a 20mm cannon. The North Korean and Chinese armies also used fighter jets, including the MiG-15 and the La-9.
- Bombers: The B-29 Superfortress was a common bomber used by US forces during the Korean War. The B-29 was a four-engine, high-altitude bomber that fired a variety of bombs, including high-explosive, incendiary, and fragmentation bombs. The North Korean and Chinese armies also used bombers, including the Il-10 and the Tu-2.
- Transport Aircraft: The C-119 Flying Boxcar was a common transport aircraft used by US forces during the Korean War. The C-119 was a twin-engine, cargo aircraft that could carry troops, supplies, and equipment.
Table: Common Weapons Used in the Korean War
| Weapon | Country | Caliber/Type |
|---|---|---|
| M1 Garand | US | .30-06 Springfield |
| Mosin-Nagant | North Korea/China | 7.62x54mmR |
| M3 Grease Gun | US | .45 ACP |
| Thompson | US | .45 ACP |
| M1919 Browning | US | .30-06 Springfield |
| Maxim | North Korea/China | 7.62x54mmR |
| Mk 2 Fragmentation Grenade | US | – |
| M114 155mm Howitzer | US | 155mm |
| M1938 122mm Howitzer | North Korea/China | 122mm |
| M3 90mm Anti-Tank Gun | US | 90mm |
| M270 MLRS | US | 227mm |
| F-80 Shooting Star | US | 20mm |
| MiG-15 | North Korea/China | 23mm |
| B-29 Superfortress | US | – |
| Il-10 | North Korea/China | – |
| C-119 Flying Boxcar | US | – |
Conclusion
The Korean War was a conflict that involved a wide range of weapons, from infantry rifles to aircraft. Both sides used conventional weapons to engage the enemy, with the US military employing a variety of firearms, artillery, and aircraft. The North Korean and Chinese armies also used a range of weapons, including rifles, machine guns, and artillery. The war was marked by significant advances in military technology, including the development of jet fighters and rocket artillery.
