page_title: Haean
section_title: Korean War
hierarchical_section_title: Haean / History / Korean War
caption_attribution_description: English: The natural beauty of this quiet scene in North Korea means little to these 1st Marine Division Leathernecks as they rest during a "lull" in the UN struggle for "Punchbowl Valley." In the wide, calm valley before them, each green field may hide a Communist gun position, each tree an enemy sniper. NARA FILE#&#160;: 127-GK-234B-A155066
context_page_description: Haean is a township in Yanggu County, Gangwon-do, South Korea. Haean sits in the distinctive Haean Basin, which was nicknamed The Punchbowl by UN forces during the Korean War. The northern part of the basin lies within the Demilitarized Zone, and the area saw heavy fighting during the war.
context_section_description: As Haean lies north of the 38th parallel, it was controlled by North Korea before the start of the war.  The North Korean army based artillery in the protection of the valley, making its capture an important objective for the UN forces.  The Republic of Korea Army and the US Eighth Army captured the basin in the Battle of the Punchbowl on August 27, 1951.
caption: United States Marines on a ridge overlooking the Haean Basin during the Battle of the Punchbowl
exif: {}