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N0KFQ > TODAY 26.11.11 18:37l 46 Lines 2298 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 14302_KB0WSA
Read: GUEST
Subj: Today in History - Nov 26
Path: IZ3LSV<IW0QNL<IK6ZDE<F1OYP<F4ERG<CX2SA<N0KFQ<KB0WSA
Sent: 111126/1620Z 14302@KB0WSA.MO.USA.NA BPQ1.0.4
Nov 26, 1950:
Chinese counterattacks in Korea change nature of war
In some of the fiercest fighting of the Korean War, thousands of
communist Chinese troops launch massive counterattacks against
U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) troops, driving the Allied
forces before them and putting an end to any thoughts for a quick
or conclusive U.S. victory. When the counterattacks had been
stemmed, U.S. and ROK forces had been driven from North Korea and
the war settled into a grinding and frustrating stalemate for the
next two-and-a-half years. In the weeks prior to the Chinese
attacks, ROK and U.S. forces, under the command of General
Douglas MacArthur, had succeeded in driving deeper into North
Korea and were nearing the border with the People's Republic of
China (PRC). The PRC issued warnings that the Allied forces
should keep their distance, and beginning in October 1950 troops
from the Chinese People's Liberation Army began to cross the
border to assist their North Korean ally. Their numbers grew to
around 300,000 by early November. Some bloody encounters occurred
between the Chinese and ROK and U.S. forces, but the Chinese
troops suddenly broke off offensive operations on November 6.
This spurred MacArthur, who had always discounted the military
effectiveness of the Chinese troops, to propose a massive new
offensive by U.S. and ROK forces. Alternately referred to as the
"End the War" or "Home by Christmas" offensive, the attack began
on November 24. The offensive almost immediately encountered
heavy resistance, and by November 26 the Chinese were launching
destructive counterattacks along a 25-mile front. By December,
U.S. and ROK forces had been pushed out of North Korea.
Eventually, U.S. and ROK forces stopped the Chinese troops and
the war settled into a military stalemate. The massive Chinese
attack brought an end to any thoughts that U.S. boys would be
"home by Christmas." It also raised the specter of the war
expanding beyond the borders of the Korean peninsula, something
U.S. policymakers-leery of becoming entangled in a land war in
Asia that might escalate into a nuclear confrontation with the
Soviets-were anxious to avoid.
73, K.O. n0kfq
Another old retired guy
E-mail: n0kfq@winlink.org
N0KFQ@N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA
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