KOREAN WAR JUNE 1950
KOREAN WAR JUNE 1950
The Korean War began in June 1950 after Communist North Korea attacked South Korea. UN forces, led by the American troops and troops from other countries conducted major land, sea and air military operations to liberate South Korea. Some of the major operations that took place in 1950 include the UN defensive, the UN offensive and thee CCF intervention.
After the communists attacked South Korea, they tried to set up the South Koreans against each other. This plan failed, but the communists embarked on subjugation using the military force. They attacked and captured several cities such as Seoul, Samchok and along Han River in June 1950. The South Korean forces were helpless at this time. This was when the US and UN troops intervened to help South Korea. President Harry Truman declared that the navy, air force and the army would all help in the war. He appointed Gen. Douglas MacArthur as commander in chief. The main aim in this operation was to defend and prevent communist forces from capturing and gaining ground in South Korea. They finally managed to drive the communists out by September 1950.
The next operation conducted by the American and UN forces was the UN offensive. This time the forces planned to attack the communist forces in North Korea and China. Gen. MacArthur ordered an amphibious attack on North Korean forces to cut off their supplies and movement. These attacks targeted to weaken the communists and drive them away from South Korean territory. They managed to capture communications and industrial areas, irrigation and power plants and port installations in Northeastern Korea. The offensive had been successful by November 1950. However, the same month, Chinese communist forces planned an attack on the Allied forces. American forces had to embark on the CCF intervention to stop the Chinese forces. The operations to stop the Chinese Communists from advancing into South Korea lasted for the rest of 1950 into January 1951.
The three operations; the UN defensive, UN offensive and the CCF intervention were successful because the American and UN forces used a combination of land, air and sea attacks to fight communist forces. With President Truman in power, he allowed his commanders such as Gen. MacArthur and General Edward Almond to design and lead amphibious attacks that led to the success of the three operations.
References
Edwards, P. M. (2010). Combat Operations of the Korean War: Ground, Air, Sea, Special and Covert (illustrated ed.). New York: McFarland.
Schnabel, J. F. (1998). United States Army in the Korean War: Policy and Direction, the First Year. Washington: Government Printing Office.
