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Korea is often called the “Forgotten War” mostly because American Generals want it forgotten. In late 1950, the Chinese Army intervened and routed the US Army. Most blame falls upon the overall commander, General Douglas MacArthur. He was certain that American air power could destroy Chinese armies. However, the Chinese had years of experience fighting the Japanese and developed tactics to evade aerial attacks. As a result, American units were outmaneuvered and defeated in several large battles by Chinese forces of similar size.
US Army X Corps Commander Lt. General Almond told officers of one regiment: “We’re still attacking and we’re going all the way to the Yalu. Don’t let a bunch of Chinese laundrymen stop you.” That regiment was overrun a few days later, by Chinese laundrymen. A US Army historian noted: “General Willoughby [MacArthur’s Chief of Staff] asserted that a Chinese intervention was highly unlikely but that if it occurred the Chinese would suffer massive casualties to UN air power. This optimism colored the plans and ideas of all subordinate commands. At the start of the massive Chinese intervention, the X Corps staff at first tried to ignore it or downplay its effect on the corps’ offensive plans. In response to the new guidance and in an attempt to react to the rapidly changing situation for which they had no contingency plans.”
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“United States Army in the Korean War”; James F. Schnabel; U.S. Army Center of Military History; 1992; https://history.army.mil/books/P&D.HTM
“The Chinese Intervention”; The Korean war; US Army Center of Military History; https://history.army.mil/brochures/kw-chinter/chinter.htm
“MacArthur’s Grand Delusion”; David Halberstam; Vanity Fair; September 24, 2007; https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2007/10/halberstam200710
“Staff Operations: The X Corps in Korea, December 1950”; Richard Stewart; U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; 1951; https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA244833.pdf
Related Tale: “MacArthur’s Plot for War with China”; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzF8G429eN0
Related Tale: “The American Empire’s Disastrous Defeat in 1942”; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG1yLs__mec
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Only a few days ago I watched the Chinese blockbuster film The Battle at Lake Changjin, released last year, which covers this very topic. Propagandistic for sure, but no less so than American and British war films. And as this article confirms, factual. It’s on teh internetz, if you know where to look.
It’s about time we get a better understanding of the Korean war, beyond the movie M*A*S*H and its sitcom spinoff. So more of these please.
Have the US been involved in actually winning a war since the Russians pulled their nuts out of the fire in WW11. The American politicians and their people seem to want more of their soldiers coming home in body bags. Besides their China and Korea debacle. They had a ship called USS Liberty that was bombed with many dead. I am sure they know who was responsible but hey who cares! not the Americans obviously. Then the Vietnamese taught them a lesson. NATO has never fought against any country that will be able to use their air power. And as… Read more »