The army America sent to Korea in 1950, arrived
trained and equipped to fight World War 2.
U.S. political and military leaders called for nothing
less than unconditional surrender from their enemy.
Uncle Sam had the overwhelming advantage in
tanks, artillery and planes, despite the fact
these weapons bordered on museum vintage.
The soldiers, of course, hoped to be home
by Christmas.
World War II brings to mind battles where tanks
rushed to gain deadly advantage, and bombers turned
cities to rubble. Victory required the vanquished to
sign a surrender, granting them no rights, no dignity.
General Douglas MacArthur would destroy the forces
of communism, pursuing North Korea's troops all the
way to the Yalu river. The banks of the river's far side
belonged to China. Her army of a million volunteers
were huddled nearby, waiting for the signal to rise up
and crush the men of Yankee aggression.
25 June, 1950.
Another Pearl Harbor.
This time it was the North Koreans striking that first,
devastating blow. America never saw it coming.
Washington was absorbed with Berlin, Stalin and
the Red Army in Europe. Political leaders thought
about strategy. Intelligence gathering was the job
of the spy. They were to inform the Oval Office
of the likelihood of a threat turning real.
Where? When?
Pyongyang's invasion South totally blindsided Truman.
Spies aren't supposed to let the quarterback be sacked.
Korea is a peninsula that nearly connects the Asian
mainland with Japan. One hundred and fifty miles
of cold, choppy water is all that separates Asia
from linking up with the Japanese.
Truman's people in the State Department failed to
mention South Korea when they listed the names
of nations they considered important to U.S. security.
Stalin noticed. What he took to be policy was, in
fact, only a bureaucratic oversight.
The war was on.
It was now up to Truman to clean up the mess.
The American people would be called upon to
show resolve and fight the forces of aggression.
Douglas MacArthur oversaw the occupation of Japan
following the war. He made sure enormous quantities
of military equipment and supplies were stockpiled
on the island nation. Japan's skilled workforce was
kept busy refurbishing, modifying and maintaining
everything military for Uncle Sam.
The revenue produced from this industry proved
to be a significant factor in reviving the
Japanese economy.
America's military had the need for roads.
Quickly getting from one place to the next
made mobility a critical strength for the U.S. Army.
Even artillery could be whisked most everywhere,
all at once. This was necessary for the battlefield win.
So long as you were fighting in Europe.
Korea is a narrow peninsula of rugged mountain ranges.
The roads there were narrow and unpaved. They followed
the valleys rather than scale the surrounding mountains.
Military trucks and tanks were confined to these roads
by rugged terrain. This left them vulnerable to ambush
from the surrounding hills.
The high ground belonged to foot soldiers -
the infantry. These were mostly Chinese,
experienced at fighting amidst rocky peaks.
The trick behind a devastating ambush was to
begin by knocking out the first and last vehicles
of the convoy, blocking any further movement.
The enemy could now leisurely pick off those
below, who refused to surrender.
This wasn't how it was supposed to happen.
Defeat wasn't in the script.
* * * * *
OVER EASY
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