Operation Chromite (or The Battle for Incheon: Operation Chromite) is a 2016 Korean War film, directed by South Korean director John H. Lee (born: Lee Jae-han). The film covers a fictionalized account of the espionage actions of the X-RAY team with the assistance of the Korean Liaison Office that eventually led to the successful Incheon Landings. The film is notable to Western audiences for co-starring Liam Neeson, who portrays General Douglas MacArthur in the film.
The film is part of a trilogy of Korean War epics produced by Taewon Entertainment, with a sequel, The Battle of Jangsari released in 2019, which covers one of the diversionary assaults made to cover for the Incheon Landings depicted in this movie.
The following weapons were used in the film Operation Chromite:
Members of X-RAY are provided with Colt M1911A1 handguns fitted with sound suppressors by the KLO (Korean Liaison Office) fighters for the extraction mission in the hospital. US and South Korean marines are also seen with standard-issue M1911A1 pistols during the US-South Korean joint raid on Wolmido Island.
The Mauser C96 "Red 9" with black grips is seen carried by Korean People's Army Commander Lim Gye-jin (Lee Beom-soo) as his personal sidearm. Notably he is only seen reloading his weapon with individual cartridges, not having once seen using stripper clips.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingMauser C96 "Red 9" - 9x19mmError creating thumbnail: File missingLim Gye-jin practices his aim with his C96 at paper-drawn caricatures of US leaders on a firing range.Error creating thumbnail: File missingGye-jin reloads his C96 with individual rounds. Here you can clearly see him inserting 9x19mm cartridges into the breech, confirming this pistol's identity as a "Red 9" variant.Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe C96 is seen in a holster. Here you can see its black-painted grips typical of 9mm C96s.Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe C96 with the charging handle locked back after Gye-jin completely expends his pistol's magazine.Error creating thumbnail: File missingGye-jin fires his pistol while riding on a jeep.Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe pistol jams at a pivotal moment in the film's climax. Note that while the scene tries to portray the weapon clicking dry (with Gye-jin immediately trying to reload afterwards), the bolt here clearly isn't locked back indicating some kind of malfunction or misfire.
Tokarev TT-33
The Tokarev TT-33 is depicted as the standard sidearm of the KPA forces and also carried by the members of the X-RAY team while disguised as a North Korean inspection crew.
KLO resistance fighters and US Marines are seen with the earlier M1 Thompson submachine guns, as noted by the older, more cheaply manufactured L-peep sights.
South Korean and US troops are seen using M1 Garands during the execution of Operation Chromite. Several members of X-RAY are also seen with this rifle.
Many North Korean soldiers are equipped with Mosin Nagant M1891s as their standard service rifle. Several carbine variants are also seen infrequently amongst DPRK troops.
During the escape from the hospital, the X-RAY operatives unveils a Browning M1919A4 mounted on a tripod hidden in the back of their truck. US and South Korean marines are also seen holding M1919A4s during the landing at Incheon.
KPA troops are sometimes seen with the DP-28 machine guns, either carried by infantry or mounted on KPA vehicles, including several Soviet BA-64 armoured cars.
A North Korean soldier is seen brandishing an M20A1 "Super Bazooka" while chasing down fleeing South Korean operatives. While it is possible that the DPRK forces could have captured and used American equipment during the opening stages of the war, the M20A1/B1 model was not introduced untill near the end of the war, making this an anachronism. American troops are also seen carrying such launchers near the end of the film.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingM20A1 "Super Bazooka" - 3.5" RocketError creating thumbnail: File missingA KPA soldier pulls out a Bazooka from his BA-64 armoured car. It is not exactly clear when or where did it come from; either it was stored within the armoured car in which would have made it's extraction awkward due to the cramped open top, or some other soldier passed the weapon to him mid-chase, which is just as unlikely.Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe rocket from the Bazooka in mid-flight.Error creating thumbnail: File missingAn US Marine with an M20A1 (circled in red) over his shoulder while marching in the street.
M7 Rifle Grenade Launcher
In the climax of the film, Jang Hak-soo retrieves an M1 Garand fitted with an M7 rifle grenade launcher to fire a flare round in order to signal the US forces. Presumably the rifle was pre-loaded with blank rounds specifically to launch the flare, as it did not see conventional use before or afterwards.
Mk 2 hand grenades are used as part of an improvised fuel bomb to delay DPRK forces during the chase scene. Jang Hak-soo is seen throwing several Mk 2 grenades from his commandeered vehicle during the climax of the film.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingMk 2 "Pineapple" World War II-made High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade (sometimes written Mk II)Error creating thumbnail: File missingIn typical Hollywood fashion, Ki-seong pulls the pin of the Mk 2 grenade with his teeth while his other hand clutches the jerrycan. In reality, the force required to pull a safety pin from a grenade is very likely to break your teeth.
Others
BA-64 Armoured Car
KPA forces employ Soviet-made BA-64 Armoured Cars in their urban policing of Incheon, with a mounted DP-28 machine gun.
North Korean defences at Incheon include an impressive battery of Soviet-made 203 mm howitzer M1931 (B-4) to retaliate against the invading American Navy.
Several T-34-85 tanks with mounted Degtyaryov DT machine guns make an appearance. Due to the sheer numbers of T-34 tanks produced during WWII, the Soviet Union provided their client states with thousands of such tanks during the satellite conflicts in the following years, including North Korea during the Korean War.
In the finale of the film, X-RAY forces led by Hak-soo commandeer a North Korean SU-122 self-propelled gun to use against the North Korean artillery battery. It appears to be a mockup due to the much smaller cannon and open-top design atypical of the SU-series of tank destroyers.
