S3: What role did initiative play for UN Forces in the Pusan Perimeter and their subsequent breakout?

There is no argument that the landing of MacArthur at Incheon was the turning point of the war.  There were multiple events that truly set the perfect ( near to perfect) conditions for the landing at Incheon.  There were three fairly distinct events that set the conditions and gained the initiative.

1.  Operation Flash Out, and the reorganization of the perimeter in the Pusan area was key in successfully re gaining the Initiative.  Operation Flash Out gave Gen. Walker and his division the much needed supplies and men power needed to defend the perimeter.  At the time of the defense of the Pusan perimeter ratio of infantry, and armor was equal between the NKPA and the UN.

2. With the perimeter reformed with a semi-clear front, flanks, and rear the air force was ability to gain the air superiority; which was a major facture in gaining the initiative. Granted, the Air force was not perfect and they did sometime engage friendly forces, the disruption the Air Force had on the NKPA do to the reduction of supply line showed that the NKPA was semi-depend on the supply lines during initial attacks, but as time continued the NKPA’s combat power was greatly effected by the destruction of the supply lines. It was noted that without the air superiority and coordinated bombing, American forces would have been driven off the Korean peninsula.

3. The analysis and decisions made by Gen. Walker of the three direction of attack of the perimeter near Naktong river and the Naktong bulge showed that the uses of the Marine BDE destroy the NKPA in the eastern flank was essential in gaining the initiative. On a side note,  it was interesting to read about the Marines readiness, fighting sprit, and discipline.  These qualities showed to be a major factor in their effectiveness in the attack of the ridge lines near the Naktong.  Once had effectively repelled the attack and pushed the NKPA to retreat across the open areas and the Naktong river, were the Air Force and Artillary had a field day,  it was at this point where the UN force set the conditions needed and gained the initiative and momentum needed to land at Incheon.