Did the Chinese use tanks during the Korean war?

Question

I watched movie"Fixed Bayonets!",time frame was early 51.
Tanks (Soviet T-34s ?)prominent. I thought most North Korean
armor had been destroyed early in 50 and the Chinese intervention was mostly Infantry.

Answer 1

T-34 (you are correct it was the T-34); some sources reflect that the Chinese manned some of the T-34s.

This Korean War armored fact sheet is neat:
http://korea50.army.mil/history/factsheets/kw_armor.shtml
~

Answer 2

the two N-Korea and china used soviet WW2 weapons and kit. Tanks utilized by the North Koreans/chinese language interior the Korean conflict: -T34/80 5 Tank -SU-76 -form ninety 5 Ha-bypass -Iosif Stalin tank.etc and incredibly some soviet geared up infantry scuffling with motor vehicle and Armored workers service have been used.

Answer 3

The Chinese army had a much lower over all percentage of tanks to infantry compared to the US, but they still had lots and lots of tanks. In fact, the chinese use of the T-34/85 really highlighted how inadequate American armor was. Korea is a very rugged country in general, and does not lend itself to large scale armored warfare terribly well. Also, during that time period, there was a much higher number of foot infantry compared to armor than there is now. So it would seem like the war was almost entirely fought with infantry.

Answer 4

The T34/85's were almost entirely North Korean. The Chinese surprised MacArthur by sneaking in when he thought aerial recon would keep them from intervening, and even managed to hand-carry some impressive artillery, but they did have trouble getting heavy stuff across the Yalu. I don't remember the movie, but if my guess is correct, it was shot in 1951 and set in the winter of 50/51, so if there's a small anachronism, it's certainly understandable. The Inchon landing wasn't until mid-September, so calling it "early" is a little unfair.

Answer 5

watch out for hollywood. their facts are movies "facts" and not necessarily real. true blue events. yes. the chinese were sent in as replacements/ assistants to the north korean army. in most cases, mao sent in chinese men to fight without workable guns and poor quality clothing, etc. the reason given for chinese aid to north korean was that the asians, while they distrusted each other, felt that some form of unity was needed to fight the round eyes or the non-asians. the possible real reason (why china sent in so many men for the foot soldiers to fight in a war that china really didn't care a wit about)? china was experiencing the worse famine in the history of china & if mao sent in thousands of men into korea, then they were there & china didn't have to worry about feeding them - after all, a dead or absent soldier doesn't eat, right? so if this was the case, and mao really didn't care whether they returned or not, why would mao equip them with tanks, warm uniforms, food, the whole nine yards? no my friend. if the chinese infantry were riding tanks these were north korean tanks on a borrow.

Answer 6

yes it was legendary T-34/85