일사천리

Flowing down vigorously.

Wonsan, August 5th, 1950

Of course, the runt of the litter was the Korean People's Army Navy. Its name was a rather clunky translation into English, but again emphasized the primacy of the Army - and the Navy's role as a subsidiary, intended to enhance and protect the operations of the ground forces. The other intended purpose of the KPAN was coastal defense, acting as a coast guard service - especially to defend the vitally important Korean fishing fleet.

The formalization of the Korean People's Army Navy, evolving from a Torpedo Unit took place in Wonsan, where the Marine Patrol Academy had been established in 1947. Two naval bases were put into operation in 1950: one at Wonsan, and a second, larger one at Nampo.

Order of Battle

Western Fleet

• 1st Patrol Boat Squadron
  • 8 P 4-class motor torpedo boats
• 2nd Patrol Boat Squadron
  • 8 G-5 class motor torpedo boats
• 3rd Coastal Defense Squadron
  • 3 OD200-class submarine chasers
  • 2 Uragan-class guard ships
• 4th Minesweeper Squadron
  • 4 MT-2-class minesweepers
• 8th Guard Squadron
  • 3 MO-4-class guard ships
• 11th Patrol Boat Squadron
  • 8 P 4-class motor torpedo boats
• 1110th Coastal Defense Battery
  • 8 B-13 130mm defense guns

Eastern Fleet

• 5th Patrol Boat Squadron
  • 8 P 4-class motor torpedo boats
• 6th Patrol Boat Squadron
  • 8 G-5-class motor torpedo boats
• 7th Coastal Defense Squadron
  • 3 OD200-class submarine chasers
  • 2 Uragan-class guard ships
• 9th Guard Squadron
  • 3 MO-4-class guard ships
• 10th Minesweeper Squadron
  • 2 MT-2-class minesweepers
  • 2 YMS-1-class minesweepers
• 1113th Coastal Defense Battery
  • 6 B-13 130mm defense guns

Equipment

Comprising a motley mix of equipment from a variety of sources, the KPAN in 1950 is restricted to its status as a minor, green-water navy, unable to project force much outside of the reaches of the Korean Coastal Regions. Nevertheless, its size compared to the North's coastline represents a powerful periphery and defensive force for the Korean People's Army.

• 16 G-5-class motor torpedo boats
• 24 P 4-class motor torpedo boats
• 6 OD200-class submarine chasers
• 6 MO-4 class guard ships
• 4 Uragan-class guard ships
• 2 YMS-1-class minesweepers
• 6 MT-2-class minesweepers
• 4 converted merchant vessels

In addition, the small amount of ex-Soviet coastal defense guns serve to defend Wonsan and Nampo from direct assault by enemy ships.

To be continued...