US/UN/ROK crossing of 38th parallel and advance to Yalu River - Korean War
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- Created on: 10-05-16 20:22
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- US/UN/ROK Crossing of 38th parallel & advance to the Yalu River
- INITIAL AIMS
- US had declared its war aim to be the restoration of the Korean status quo
- UN had declared its war aim to be 'to rebel armed invasion and restore peace and stability in the area'
- 30th September - US/UN/ROK forces crossed 38th parallel
- US/UN/ROK now aimed to destroy North Korean forces and reunite the peninsula
- South Korean forces did not wait for U approval before crossing
- REASONS WHY AIMS CHANGED
- After Inchon & retaking of Seoul, there was a surge of optimism which made stopping at the 38th parallel ridiculous and would damage their national morale
- US and ROK forces wanted revenge against casualties and North Korean atrocities
- Syngman Rhee and General MacArthur were desperate to reunite the Korean peninsula
- After success at Inchon, MacArthur was taken more seriously
- Truman was anxious to maintain his anti-Communist credentials against Republican attacks
- American credibility and prestige would be best served by the defeat of North Korea
- PROBLEMS THE NEW WAR AIMS CAUSED
- Although UN approved decision to invade North Korea, some allies were unenthusiastic
- Britain felt new aim could be perceived as agressive
- George Kennan recommended US get out of Korea as it wasn't important
- MacArthur's orders weren't clear during September and October
- 27th September - JCS gave him a modified version of UN Security Council Resolution which authorised him to conduct military operations in North Korea
- 29th September - George Marshall told him to proceed north of 38th parallel
- However, Truman ordered that only South Korean forces were to be used near the Chinese border
- Although UN approved decision to invade North Korea, some allies were unenthusiastic
- ADVANCE TO YALU RIVER
- 15th October MacArthur reassured Truman that fighting would end in North and South Korea by Thanksgiving
- He said there was little chance of Soviet or Chinese intervention
- This seemed justified as 19th October - US & ROK forces liberated Pyongyang
- 24th October - MacArthur went against orders that only ROK forces should operate near Chinese border
- US forces headed for the Yalu River (border between China & North Korea)
- This represented great change in US policy
- JCS said it was a matter of concern
- US forces headed for the Yalu River (border between China & North Korea)
- 15th October MacArthur reassured Truman that fighting would end in North and South Korea by Thanksgiving
- INITIAL AIMS
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