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MacArthur and the Pusan Perimeter: Facts That Ollie Left OutRomulo Ludan | July 21, 2005 | one comment | Print | E-mail General Mark Clark, the last commander of U.S./U.N. forces in Korea (he signed the armistice in Panmunjom on July 27, 1953): "Perhaps the Communists had wormed their way so deeply into our government on both the working and planning levels that they were able to exercise an inordinate degree of power in shaping the course of America. I could not keep wondering and worrying whether we were faced with open enemies across the conference table (at Panmunjom) and hidden enemies who sat with us in our most secret councils" (Mark Clark, "From the Danube to the Yalu"). Although not a combatant but observing the events in Korea very closely, Field Marshal Lord Alanbrooke, Britain’s leading soldier and Montgomery’s WW2 superior,* gave this estimate: "The decisions MacArthur finally arrived at as regards the war in Korea were, I think, based on a Pacific outlook and, as such, in my opinion were right. He has been accused of taking actions without previous political approval, but he had been unable to obtain the political policy and guidance he had sought. To my mind a general who is not prepared to assume some responsibility on his own, when unable to obtain political direction, is of little value. Underscoring provided (Douglas MacArthur, "Reminiscences"). General MacArthur was at his home in New York’s Waldorf Astoria when he learned of the signing of the armistice. Said the General rather prophetically: "This is the death warrant for Indochina (Cambodia, Laos, and … Vietnam)." Wm Breuer, op. cit. Note: For further discussion, 1) read Dr. Jerry D. Morelock, Col. (ret.) "Why Truman Really Fired MacArthur" p. 26, Armchair General, May 2005 issue, 2) visit www.armchairgeneral.com click on Truman MacArthur Controversy, 3) Visit our discussion forums where you can discuss this article, as well as any part of military history. Contributed by Armchair General Forum Participant Mo Ludan, July 4, 2005, rludan@hotmail.com Help Armchair General by bookmarking to
           
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One Comment to “MacArthur and the Pusan Perimeter: Facts That Ollie Left Out”
OUTSTANDING PIECE OF WORK.
THANK YOU.
QUESTION: DID GENERAL MAC ARTHUR HAVE ANY HUMAN FEET ON THE GROUND INTELLIGENCE AS TO WHAT WAS HAPPENING ALONG THE YALU IN EARLY OCTOBER JUST BEFORE HE PROCEEDED NORTH?
WHAT WAS THE DATE HE REQUESTED PERMISSION TO BOMB THE YALU BRIDGES.?
IT IS MY RECOLLECTION THAT IT WAS IN THE FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER 1950.
THE CHI COM FORCES CROSSED OVER SAID BRIDGES FROM 19 OCTOBER TO 28 OCTOBER. THEY MOVED 260,000 MEN INTO PLACE. IT WOULD SEEM IT WAS TOO LATE TO BOMB THE BRIDGES.
BUT BOMBING THE BRIDGES WOULD HAVE CUT OFF THEIR SUPPLY LINES.
THAT WOULD HAVE MAD ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
I STUDIED THE BRIDGES. THEY WERE FORMIDABLE. OUTSTANDING CONSTRUCTION.
THE PIERS WERE FORMIDABLE. UNLESS YOU DESTROYED THE PIERS COMPLETELY–THE REPLACEMENT TIME WOULD NOT BE OF ANY LASTING CONSEQUENCE.
TO DO THE JOB RIGHT WOULD REQUIRE MASSIVE PRECISION BOMBING AND HUMAN INTELLIGENCE.
THIS WAS A KEY FACTOR.LOGISTICS.
WWII IT WAS LOGISTICS.
WE BEAT THE GERMANS BY TAKING THEIR GASOLINE AWAY FROM THEM.
THANKS AGAIN.
GOD BLESS.
JOHN W. BUGLER
BUGLER.ORG
By JOHN W. BUJGLER on Aug 25, 2008 at 11:52 pm