To Pusan--& Beyond?

The MacArthur miracle that would have established the U.N. forces in a line across the waist of Korea did not come to pass. After abandoning the Korean capital and its port, Inchon (see below), the only possible move was retreat toward Pusan.

There are two more lines where the U.S. might stand to fight delaying actions, the first above Chonan and Chungju. the second above Taejon (see map). It seemed likely that the Communists would soon make their customary long halt for regrouping and resupply. If they did, the Eighth Army might stop to harass them, make them pay dearly for every mile gained. But if the Chinese continued their powerful assault, the U.N. forces could not attempt a serious holding action anywhere short of the old Pusan perimeter. In Korea and Tokyo last week, there was more & more talk that the U.N. forces would quit Korea altogether, would use Pusan only as a base for safe evacuation.

Even if Pusan could be held (which was by no means certain), it was not clear what good it would do. The last time, the U.N. forces used the perimeter as a base for a counteroffensive; there was no such hope this time. The only way to strike back at the enemy--Red China--was to hit its vulnerable supply lines, its military bases, its industries from the air and sea. But that, apparently, was precisely the thing that Washington did not want to do.

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