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China's Entry into War |
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US Department of State and CIA's concern over China's entry into war limited military operations of UN forces. On October 21, 1950, the Joint Chiefs of Staff ordered General MacArthur not to bomb the hydroelectric power plants that supplied electricity to North Korea and the northeastern region of China or Northern Hangyeong Province's industrial city Najin. This order came out of a strategy not to stimulate China by attacking areas near the Chinese border. However, it is evident that the order was not successful in keeping China out of war. South Korea's 6th Army that was marching towards the northwestern region reached Chosan located near the Chinese border. The South's troop for capital defense that was heading north along the east coast recovered Cheongjin and was approaching Jangjinho and Bujeonho. |
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However, on October 24, the 6th Army was surrounded by enemy forces suspected to be Chinese in Wunsan located near the up-stream of Cheongcheongang. The US 1st Cavalry that was to rescue the South's army was besieged by the enemy on the 26th as well, leading to hardship. In uncertainty over whether the Chinese army entered war, the UN supply was blocked and the US army ordered retreat to the south of Cheongcheongang. However, the South Korean Army moved north and on November 21, reached Haesan along the coast of Yalugang. General MacArthur pushed for bold strategies for heading north even though he was considered with China's movement, but mostly he worked for security of the region. |
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He believed that the Chinese army could be kept in check with the overwhelming power of the US Air Force. There was a plan to defend the small peninsula connecting Pyeongyang and Hongnam but defense of the Yalugang area took priority. On November 4, General MacArthur noted to the US Joint Chiefs of Staff that there is not enough evidence to say that the Chinese army entered into war despite possibilities for full-scale participation. However, the next day, on the 5th, General MacArthur reported to the UN Security Council that the UN forces were in a state of war with the Chinese army. On the 6th, General MacArthur made a special statement criticizing China for illegal acts. And he ordered head of the US Air Force General StrateMeyer to prepare for bombing bridges across the Yalu River with 90 |
| B-29 combat planes. In response to General MacArthur's acts, the US government convened a special meeting of the UN Security Council. And an order to stop any attacks to the northeastern region of China was given based on the agenda that attacking the region should be under prior discussion with the Allies. General MacArthur was strongly against Washington's order. So prohibition of air force operations near the border was removed and an order to bomb the southern tip of a bridge across Yalugang in Sinuiju was made. Furthermore, General MacArthur requested the right of pursuit into China. His request was faced with opposition from Allies and was rejected. |
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