Korean War. Overview Background Events in Asia Before the Korean War Military Technology and Technique Military Conduct Lessons Learned Korea Today Background

Korean WarKorean War

OverviewOverview

• Background• Events in Asia Before the

Korean War• Military Technology and

Technique • Military Conduct• Lessons Learned • Korea Today

• Background• Events in Asia Before the

Korean War• Military Technology and

Technique • Military Conduct• Lessons Learned • Korea Today

• After World War II– The United States was busy with international affairs,

mainly helping to rebuild economies and provide strong governments in the occupied nations

– Soviets and Western Allies discussed plan for 4-power trusteeship to govern Korea

– No action taken because they could not agree– Stalin determined to create buffer countries around

USSR so no one could invade USSR again– Only limited war in 20th century?– No declaration of war by Congress

• After World War II– The United States was busy with international affairs,

mainly helping to rebuild economies and provide strong governments in the occupied nations

– Soviets and Western Allies discussed plan for 4-power trusteeship to govern Korea

– No action taken because they could not agree– Stalin determined to create buffer countries around

USSR so no one could invade USSR again– Only limited war in 20th century?– No declaration of war by Congress

BackgroundBackground

• Causes– Both sides claim all of Korea and seem determined to

destroy the other– North Korea attacks South Korea

• Participants– North Korea, later China, Soviet Union (mostly

equipment)– United Nations, South Korea

• Causes– Both sides claim all of Korea and seem determined to

destroy the other– North Korea attacks South Korea

• Participants– North Korea, later China, Soviet Union (mostly

equipment)– United Nations, South Korea

Events In Asia Before The Korean War


• Korea was historic invasion route for China and Japan against each other

• At end of WWII, there were no U.S. troops in Korea

• Because it took some time to move U.S. troops into Korea, U.S. asked Russia to accept Japan’s surrender of all troops north of 38th parallel

• Korea was historic invasion route for China and Japan against each other

• At end of WWII, there were no U.S. troops in Korea

• Because it took some time to move U.S. troops into Korea, U.S. asked Russia to accept Japan’s surrender of all troops north of 38th parallel



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Korean_war_1950-1953.gif

• Division of Korea was to be temporary, but like in Eastern Europe, Russia took control

• Kim Il-Sung, Russian university, Russian officer in WWII fighting Japanese– Organized and trained large, highly disciplined army

with Russian weapons/training

• Division of Korea was to be temporary, but like in Eastern Europe, Russia took control

• Kim Il-Sung, Russian university, Russian officer in WWII fighting Japanese– Organized and trained large, highly disciplined army

with Russian weapons/training



• Syngman Rhee, Harvard/Princeton– U.S. forces tried to bring order and rebuild, no plans for

permanent government– Expected unified independent nation– UN established commission to supervise elections, but

Russia refused

• Soviets and U.S. withdraw most troops, 1949

• Syngman Rhee, Harvard/Princeton– U.S. forces tried to bring order and rebuild, no plans for

permanent government– Expected unified independent nation– UN established commission to supervise elections, but

Russia refused

• Soviets and U.S. withdraw most troops, 1949



• 1949-1950, NK tries to take over SK by insurgency

• 25 June 1950, NK army invades SK• SK troops are poorly trained and short of

personnel and supplies; almost no tanks or artillery

• UN demands NK leave SK, NK ignores• UN reacts to attack with decision to use armed

force

Russia and China have been members of the U.N. Security Council from the beginnings of the U.N. It only takes 1 veto to stop any U.N. action. Why didn’t either of them veto the U.N. action in Korea? (Worth 10 point bonus on next test)

• 1949-1950, NK tries to take over SK by insurgency

• 25 June 1950, NK army invades SK• SK troops are poorly trained and short of

personnel and supplies; almost no tanks or artillery

• UN demands NK leave SK, NK ignores• UN reacts to attack with decision to use armed

force

Russia and China have been members of the U.N. Security Council from the beginnings of the U.N. It only takes 1 veto to stop any U.N. action. Why didn’t either of them veto the U.N. action in Korea? (Worth 10 point bonus on next test)



• 20 countries send assistance– As major contributor, U.S. asked to take unified

command– Gen Douglas MacArthur

– Was General in charge of war in Pacific against Japanese, then “Governor” of Japan after war

– 30 June, UN is fully committed– Basically a ground war for first 2 years

• 20 countries send assistance– As major contributor, U.S. asked to take unified

command– Gen Douglas MacArthur

– Was General in charge of war in Pacific against Japanese, then “Governor” of Japan after war

– 30 June, UN is fully committed– Basically a ground war for first 2 years



• Old aircraft– To accomplish their missions, the Air

Force used the F-80 Shooting Star, the World War II P-51, and the F-84 Thunderjet

• Old aircraft– To accomplish their missions, the Air

Force used the F-80 Shooting Star, the World War II P-51, and the F-84 Thunderjet

Military Technology And Technique


• Old aircraft– The Navy carriers used the F-9F

Panther jet fighter and the AD Skyraider propeller-driven attack aircraft

• Old aircraft– The Navy carriers used the F-9F

Panther jet fighter and the AD Skyraider propeller-driven attack aircraft



– Napalm, 110 gallon tanks, jellied gasoline, 250x80 ft

– Napalm, 110 gallon tanks, jellied gasoline, 250x80 ft



War• Surprise beginning and quick success by NK• NK drives SK down to Pusan• No logistics capability, could not supply troops• UN enters war and drives NK almost to China

– Airpower, naval gunfire limit resupply movement– Amphibious landing at Inchon

• Harry Truman, President at end of WWII, decides on police action because declaration of war too lengthy and alarmist

• China enters war and drives UN back to 38th parallel, more than 1M

• Back and forth several times• China always sanctuary, afraid of nuclear escalation by

USSR

• Surprise beginning and quick success by NK• NK drives SK down to Pusan• No logistics capability, could not supply troops• UN enters war and drives NK almost to China

– Airpower, naval gunfire limit resupply movement– Amphibious landing at Inchon

• Harry Truman, President at end of WWII, decides on police action because declaration of war too lengthy and alarmist

• China enters war and drives UN back to 38th parallel, more than 1M

• Back and forth several times• China always sanctuary, afraid of nuclear escalation by

USSR

North Korea vs South Korea

then

North Korea vs United Nations and South Korea

then

China and North Korea vs United Nations and South Korea

War• Truce talks last 2 years and 17 days

– 575 meetings

• No peace treaty between the Koreas– U.S. 54,246 dead– Total 2.4M killed or wounded

• Truce talks last 2 years and 17 days– 575 meetings

• No peace treaty between the Koreas– U.S. 54,246 dead– Total 2.4M killed or wounded

War• Gen MacArthur requests approval to take war into

China and attack Chinese industrial targets, blockade of coast and attack by friendly Chinese forces on mainland

• UN and President Truman fear Soviet military retaliation (nuclear weapons)

• MacArthur pursues own agenda• Fired by Truman

• Gen MacArthur requests approval to take war into China and attack Chinese industrial targets, blockade of coast and attack by friendly Chinese forces on mainland

• UN and President Truman fear Soviet military retaliation (nuclear weapons)

• MacArthur pursues own agenda• Fired by Truman

War

• Nuclear Weapons– Major cause for confusion, then and now– How should we use them?– What would happen if we used them?– FEAR of WWIII and letting nuclear genie out of bottle!– About the only thing we can do with them is keep the

Soviets from using theirs– Is this bluff effective against 3rd world actors?

• Nuclear Weapons– Major cause for confusion, then and now– How should we use them?– What would happen if we used them?– FEAR of WWIII and letting nuclear genie out of bottle!– About the only thing we can do with them is keep the

Soviets from using theirs– Is this bluff effective against 3rd world actors?



• Weapons– Air power enthusiasts rule– Limited developmental money went to Air Force– Army and navy enter Korea with WWII weapons– Cease-fire agreement reached, 6 months after

Eisenhower takes office

• Weapons– Air power enthusiasts rule– Limited developmental money went to Air Force– Army and navy enter Korea with WWII weapons– Cease-fire agreement reached, 6 months after

Eisenhower takes office



• Helicopters– Although helicopters were used late in World War II, it

was during the Korean War that helicopters saw the first large-scale use and proved their effectiveness

• Helicopters– Although helicopters were used late in World War II, it

was during the Korean War that helicopters saw the first large-scale use and proved their effectiveness



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:82nd-6.JPG

• Lessons Learned– Military

• Appeared Soviets were beginning a campaign to use limited wars to achieve political goals

• Increased U.S. emphasis on air power• U.S. significantly increased nuclear weapons• New bombers greatly extend reach• But, nuclear weapons were not enough to prevent

involvement in (limited) wars• U.S. needed military strength and flexibility to

participate a various levels of conflict– Provide weapons/supplies to troops

• Lessons Learned– Military

• Appeared Soviets were beginning a campaign to use limited wars to achieve political goals

• Increased U.S. emphasis on air power• U.S. significantly increased nuclear weapons• New bombers greatly extend reach• But, nuclear weapons were not enough to prevent

involvement in (limited) wars• U.S. needed military strength and flexibility to

participate a various levels of conflict– Provide weapons/supplies to troops

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

– Political• U.S. served notice that hostile acts would not go

unchallenged• China is faithful ally to Soviets• Eisenhower left world guessing as to what level of

conflict justified use of nuclear weapons• What do we think about nuclear weapons

• Nuclear superiority could win a war• As Soviet nuclear weapons increase, view changed• Even today, a safe second strike is an effective

deterrent

– Political• U.S. served notice that hostile acts would not go

unchallenged• China is faithful ally to Soviets• Eisenhower left world guessing as to what level of

conflict justified use of nuclear weapons• What do we think about nuclear weapons

• Nuclear superiority could win a war• As Soviet nuclear weapons increase, view changed• Even today, a safe second strike is an effective

deterrent


• Steps to Prevent Future Conflict– Defense Structure

• Command and Control of nuclear weapons

– Air Force Structure Strengthened• Secretary of Defense strengthened• Chain of Command, President, Secretary of Defense,

to Unified and Specified Commands

• Steps to Prevent Future Conflict– Defense Structure

• Command and Control of nuclear weapons

– Air Force Structure Strengthened• Secretary of Defense strengthened• Chain of Command, President, Secretary of Defense,

to Unified and Specified Commands


Unified Commands

• South Korea– South Korea – Economy– GDP is 7 times India, 16 times North Korea, comparable

to lesser economies of Europe

• North Korea– North Korea – Economy– One of most centrally planned and isolated economies,

desperate conditions– Food shortages and chronic shortages of fertilizer and

fuel– Most resources diverted to military– Still a puzzle to China, closest friend

• South Korea– South Korea – Economy– GDP is 7 times India, 16 times North Korea, comparable

to lesser economies of Europe

• North Korea– North Korea – Economy– One of most centrally planned and isolated economies,

desperate conditions– Food shortages and chronic shortages of fertilizer and

fuel– Most resources diverted to military– Still a puzzle to China, closest friend

Korea TodayKorea Today

• Jet Aircraft– F-86– F-100 Super Saber– F-101 Voodoo

• Jet Aircraft– F-86– F-100 Super Saber– F-101 Voodoo



• Jet Aircraft– F-102 Delta Dagger– F-104 Starfighter– F-105 Thunderchief

• Jet Aircraft– F-102 Delta Dagger– F-104 Starfighter– F-105 Thunderchief



• Jet Aircraft– F-106 Delta Dart– F-111 Aardvark– F-4 Phantom

• Jet Aircraft– F-106 Delta Dart– F-111 Aardvark– F-4 Phantom



ConclusionConclusion

• Background• Events in Asia Before the Korean

War• Military Technology and Technique • Military Conduct• Lessons Learned • Korea Today

• Background• Events in Asia Before the Korean

War• Military Technology and Technique • Military Conduct• Lessons Learned • Korea Today

Documents

Korean War. Overview Background Events in Asia Before the Korean War Military Technology and Technique Military Conduct Lessons Learned Korea Today Background