McArthur and Inchon Flashcards
why was Inchon a success?
The landing was a huge success:
-UN forces took Inchon quickly with minimal losses.
-They then moved to recapture Seoul, which fell back into UN hands by 27 September.
-North Korean troops were trapped and forced to retreat, breaking their southern advance.
-This allowed UN and South Korean forces to break out from Pusan and push northwards, retaking lost territory.
-The UN destroyed key North Korean supply lines and retook Seoul in under 2 weeks.
-The operation is considered one of the most successful amphibious assaults in military history.
what was the impact of the Inchon landing ?
- Major turning point in the war – The successful landing helped UN and South Korean forces break out of the Pusan Perimeter and forced North Korean troops into retreat, reversing their earlier victories.
- seoul recaptured – Within two weeks, UN forces had retaken South Korea’s capital, boosting morale and giving political legitimacy back to Syngman Rhee’s government.
- Shifted the war’s aim – After Inchon, the UN changed its objective from just defending South Korea to reunifying Korea by invading the North and destroying communist control.
- Provoked Chinese fears – The UN advance after Inchon pushed deep into North Korea, approaching the Yalu River, which China saw as a direct threat to its border, eventually leading to Chinese intervention in October 1950.
- Strengthened US and UN image – The success of Inchon restored confidence in the Truman Doctrine and containment policy, and showed the UN could take strong military action against communist aggression.
what was McArthur’s plan for invading Inchon ?
-General Douglas MacArthur, commander of UN forces, proposed a risky amphibious landing far behind enemy lines, at the port city of Inchon.
-Inchon was heavily defended, had dangerous tides, and a narrow channel, making it a very risky place to land.
-MacArthur believed that a surprise attack there would cut off North Korean supply lines and trap their army between Inchon and the Pusan Perimeter.
-Despite doubts from other military leaders, MacArthur insisted that Inchon will be the turning point of the war
why was Inchon invaded ?
- By August 1950, North Korean forces had pushed UN and South Korean troops back to a small area in the southeast, known as the Pusan Perimeter.
- The UN was struggling, with South Korea close to collapse and the North in control of most of the peninsula.
- The situation was desperate — without a major counterattack, South Korea could have been completely overrun by communist forces.
what happened after the success at Inchon ?
hint: advance into NK
- After the Inchon success, UN forces crossed the 38th parallel on 7 October 1950, aiming to unite Korea under a non-communist government (not just defend the South anymore).
- The North Korean army was in full retreat, and UN troops quickly captured Pyongyang (the capital) by 19 October 1950 — it looked like a full victory was near.
- However, the advance triggered Chinese fears — when UN forces reached the Yalu River (border with China), China entered the war in late October, sending 200,000 troops and pushing the UN back.
