ABLE: What is your response to the steadfastness of MacArthur’s insistence on the Inchon landing? How does it change, had the mission gone otherwise?

MacArthur’s insistence on the Inchon landing was a sound military decision. By Landing at Inchon he effectively attacked where the North Korean Army was weakest and cut off their supply lines. It was both a military and a political move, since landing at Inchon would put U.S. Forces just 18 miles west of Seoul, the capital of South Korea. Admiral Doyle, commander of the naval forces and General Shepherd, senior Marine in the Far East voiced their concerns to General MacArthur appealing for a different landing site. However, General MacArthur would not waiver stating “There is no question my mind as to the feasibility of the operation and I regard its chance of success as excellent”. By September 1950 plan 100-B was under way and the actual landing at Inchon was executed perfectly. There was little resistance on the island of Wolmi-do and Inchon Harbor, most of the North Korean Forces were concentrated on the Pusan Perimeter. By September 25, 1950 the city of Seoul was declared liberated, some would say a little prematurely since Marines were still fighting on the streets. Overall the operation was a success, and General MacArthur’s predictions were proven accurate. If the mission had not gone according to plan and the Marines were unable to land at Inchon the liberation of Seoul would not have come as quickly but it would have still happened. The North Korean Army was badly weakened, most of the hard fighting veterans were dead and only executions were keeping the draftees in line. There was a lot of risk associated with the plan, and General MacArthur faced several problems along the way including opposition from the Navy, the lack of personnel the Marines and the Army had available, and two tropical storms. However, General MacArthur was determined and made a calculated decision which proved to be the correct one.

“Audentes Fortuna Iuvat” — Latin Proverb