How many people does it take to cut down a tree in the Korean DMZ?

Some time ago in the Korean DMZ, "the UN Command determined to cut down the tree using an overwhelming force. The operation was conceived as a US/South Korean show of force, but was also carefully managed to prevent further escalation.

Operation Paul Bunyan was carried out on August 21 at 7 a.m., just 3 days after the killings. A convoy of 23 American and South Korean vehicles ('Task Force Vierra') drove into the JSA without any warning to the North Koreans, who only had one observation post manned at the early hour. In the vehicles was a 16 man U.S. engineering team with axes and chainsaws who immediately started cutting down the tree, while one of the trucks was positioned to block the Bridge of No Return. The engineering team was accompanied by a 30 man security platoon armed with pistols and axe handles. In addition, a 64 man ROK special forces team accompanied them, armed with clubs and trained in Tae Kwon Do.

A U.S. infantry company in 20 utility helicopters and 7 Cobra attack helicopters circled behind them. Behind these helicopters B-52 bombers, escorted by U.S. F-4 fighters and R.O.K F-5 fighters were visible flying across the sky at high altitude. At Osan Air Base, F-111 fighters had been armed and fueled, ready to take off at short notice. The Midway aircraft carrier task force had also been moved to be stationed just off-shore. In addition, near the edges of the DMZ, many more heavily armed U.S. and ROK infantry, artillery, and armor were waiting to back up the special operations team. The bases near the DMZ were prepared for demolition in the case of a military response.

North Korea mobilized about 150 troops armed with assault rifles who watched in silence as the tree was felled in 42 minutes, and a violent confrontation was avoided. Also removed were two road barriers illegally installed by the North Koreans, while the South Korean troops also overzealously vandalized two North Korean watch posts. The stump of the tree was left as a deliberate reminder."


Source wikipedia