Mossman: EBB AND FLOW, NOVEMBER 1950-JULY 1951

Ebb and Flow records an important chapter in the Korean War. It begins with the last weeks of the pell-mell rush of United Nations forces to the Chinese border and goes on to describe in great detail the test of American military leadership and resources posed by the taxing retreat of the Eighth Army and X Corps across the frozen wastes of North Korea. It also examines the special problems posed to a fighting army during the deadly months of stalemate in the summer of 1951.

The part of the war described in this volume raises many questions for the military strategist and provides a treasure trove of lessons for the student of the art of war. The book emphasizes the limitations imposed by terrain and weather on the fighting capabilities of an American army facing surprise attack from a large, disciplined enemy. The operations it describes to such careful detail will help vivify the principles of war for those who would study the profession of arms.

It seems particularly appropriate that this volume is going to the printer during a year when the Army is emphasizing the theme of training. It is important to study carefully such a recent and important example of an American army performing superbly against great odds. I encourage the military student and veteran alike to take advantage of the insights into our profession imparted in the pages that follow.

A graduate of Wayne State (Nebraska) College, Billy C. Mossman is the author of studies and monographs on U.S. Army operations in the Korean War and of two chapters, "Peace Becomes Cold War, 1945-50," and "The Korean War, 1950-53," in American Military History, a volume in the Army Historical Series. He contributed to Origins, History, and Accomplishments of the U.S. Army Reserve, published by the Historical Evaluation and Research Organization, and to Challenge and Response in Internal Conflict, published by the Center for Research in Social Systems, American University. He is also coauthor of The Last Salute: Civil and Military Funerals, 1921-1969.During World War II, Mr. Mossman served as a platoon leader with the 381st Infantry, 96th Infantry Division, and participated in the Leyte and Okinawa campaigns in the Pacific theater. In the Korean War, he was a military historian with the Eighth Army; Army Forces, Far East; and United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission. Mr. Mossman joined the Office of the Chief of Military History as an Army officer in 1954 and became a civilian staff member in 1957. As a civilian staff member, he served successively as historian, deputy branch chief, branch chief, and acting division chief. He retired in 1983 but remains active in the field of military history.

This book describes military operations during the Korean War from late November 1950 to early July 1951, a period in which battle lines did indeed ebb and flow in pronounced surges. The volume is one of several in the United States Army in the Korean War series. In its coverage of combat operations, the book falls in the series between South to the Naktong, North to the Yalu by Roy E. Appleman and Truce Tent and Fighting Front by Walter G. Hermes.In describing the large-scale engagements that occurred between sizable opposing forces over seven months' time, I had to focus treatment of the battles at a somewhat high level, often corps or army. I also had to be selective in the use of detail. While this approach does not fully record the gallantry, suffering, and achievements of individual men in combat, I hope that the battle descriptions clearly indicate the substantial measure of their individual accomplishments and valor. I wrote this book over many years, interrupting my work on numerous occasions and for long periods to carry out other responsibilities and assignments. In fact, I gave the account its final touches after I retired from the Center of Military History. It was also in retirement that I designed the maps and selected the photographs that illustrate the book. During the years spent writing the book, I received valuable support and assistance from many people. Supervisory officials at all levels provided unfailing support. The successive Chiefs of Military History included Brig. Gen. James A. Norell, Brig. Gen. William H. Harris, Brig. Gen. Hal C. Pattison, Brig. Gen. James L. Collins, Jr., and Brig. Gen. William A. Stofft. Holding the post of Chief Historian during the period of preparation were Dr. Stetson Conn, Dr. Maurice Matloff, and Dr. David Trask. I received valuable assistance and guidance from a considerable number of officers who served as Chief, Histories Division: Lt. Col. James C. Griffin; Col. Louis G. Mendez, Jr.; Col. Paul P. Hinkley; Col. Leonard G. Robinson; Col. Albert W. Jones; Col. John E. Jessup, Jr.; Col. James W. Dunn; and Lt. Col. Richard O. Perry. Wise counsel also came from my branch chiefs: Charles B. MacDonald, Robert Ross Smith, Robert W. Coakley, and Walter G. Hermes. Over the course of my research, Hannah M. Zeidlik, currently the Chief, Historical Resources Branch, was a mainstay in obtaining and

providing essential records, studies, and reports. On the production level, Joyce W. Hardyman performed the main editing of the volume assisted by James W. Grandy. Also importantly involved in the production process were John W. Elsberg, the current Editor in Chief, Barbara H. Gilbert, and Rae T. Panella. Arthur S. Hardyman and Linda M. Cajka processed the maps from layout to final form. Howell C. Brewer handled the acquisition and preparation of the photographs that illustrate the volume.

Notwithstanding the significant contributions of the persons named above, I alone am responsible for the interpretations made and conclusions drawn in this book and for any deficiencies that it may have.

Contents

Chapter

Page

I. THE MISSION

The Battleground

The Initial Mission

The Mission Expanded

The Mission Reconsidered

II. THE FORCES AND THE PLANS

The United Nations Command

The UNC Plan of Advance

The Outlook for Victory

III. THE ENEMY

The North Korean Armed Forces

The Chinese People's Volunteers

IV. THE BATTLE OF THE CH'ONGCH'ON

The Advance to Contact

The Chinese Attack

The Second Phase Offensive

The Threat of Envelopment

V. THE BATTLE OF THE CHANGJIN (Chosin) RESERVOIR

X Corps Dispositions, 26 November

The Advance Toward Mup'yong-ni

The IX Army Group Attacks

The Attacks Widen

The Tokyo Conference

103

VI. DISENGAGEMENT IN THE WEST

105

The Threat of Envelopment

105

The Second Disengagement

109

Trouble on the Lines of Communication

114

The Sukch'on-Sunch'on-Songch'on Line

116

The Roadblock Below Kunu-ri

119

VII. CONCENTRATION AT HUNGNAM

128

New X Corps Orders

128

Shaping the Hamhung-Hungnam Defense

130

Concentration at Hagaru-ri

131

Withdrawal From the Reservoir

137

VIII. REDEPLOYMENT SOUTH

149

The Eighth Army Leaves North Korea

149

The X Corps Evacuates Hungnam

165

IX. THE CHINESE THIRD PHASE OFFENSIVE: THE OPENING

177

Ridgway Takes Command

177

Defensive Preparations

184

The Opening Enemy Assaults

188

X. WITHDRAWAL FROM SEOUL

192

To the Seoul Bridgehead

192

The Outlook, 2 January

195

The Evacuation of Seoul

198

XI. WITHDRAWAL TO LINE D

209

Withdrawal From the Han

210

Wonju and Hill 247

216

East of Route 29

223

XII. RECONNAISSANCE IN FORCE

228

The Problem of Motivation

228

Allies From North Korea

229

The Evacuation Issue Resolved

230

Operation Wolfhound

237

Task Force Johnson

239

Operation Thunderbolt

240

XIII. ADVANCE TO THE HAN

248

Roundup Preparations

248

Thunderbolt Continued

252

Operation Roundup

258

The Newest Army Estimate

263

XIV. THE BATTLE FOR HOENGSONG

266

The ROK 8th Division Destroyed

266

Support Force 21

269

From the Road Junction to Hoengsong

272

The Costs

279

XV. DEFENDING THE WONJU LINE

282

The X Corps Position, 13 February

282

The West Shoulder, 13-14 February

285

The East Shoulder, 14-18 February

291

Chip'yong-ni and Task Force Crombez

295

A Turning Point

300

XVI. THE KILLER OPERATION

301

The Concept

301

Intelligence Problems

302

The Plans

305

The Advance

307

The Ripper Concept

310

XVII. OPERATION RIPPER

315

The Plan

315

The Advance to Line Albany

321

The Enemy Buildup

322

Hongch'on Cleared

327

Seoul Retaken

328

Ch'unch'on Captured

330

On the Eastern Front

333

The Courageous Concept

334

XVIII. ADVANCE TO THE PARALLEL

335

Operation Courageous

335

Ripper Concluded

343

The Parallel Question

344

The Rugged and Dauntless Concept

347

XIX. OPERATION RUGGED

351

The Enemy Situation

351

The Advance to Line Kansas

353

Change of Command

362

XX. TOWARD THE IRON TRIANGLE

368

The Enemy's Conspicuous Absence, 11-20 April

369

One Day's Notice

375

XXI. THE CHINESE SPRING OFFENSIVE: THE OPENING

378

The Enemy Plan

378

Panic at the IX Corps Left

381

Below Ch'orwon and Kumhwa

384

Along the Imjin

385

Adjusting the Line

389

XXII. THE CHINESE SPRING OFFENSIVE: ON THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN FRONTS

398

Attack on the Pendleton Line

398

Inje Falls

399

Repeat Performance

401

Censure

407

XXIII. THE CHINESE SPRING OFFENSIVE: ON THE WESTERN FRONT

410

Defending the Kansas Line

410

Withdrawal to Line Delta

419

XXIV. THE CHINESE SPRING OFFENSIVE: BATTLE FOR SEOUL

430

XXV. BATTLE BELOW THE SOYANG

438

The Search for the Enemy

439

The Offensive Resumed

444

The Battle Shifts East

460

XXVI. THE COUNTEROFFENSIVE

465

Stabilizing the Line

466

Counterattack

470

XXVII. SUBSTITUTE FOR VICTORY

488

Ridgway's Mission Redefined

488

Operation Piledriver

491

Armistice Negotiations: The Search for a Beginning

494

The Question of Future Operations

497

Negotiations Begin

499

The New Dimensions of Battle

502

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

507

EBB AND FLOW

NOVEMBER 1950 - JULY 1951

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EBB AND FLOW

NOVEMBER 1950 - JULY 1951

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Korean War TimeLine

Korean War Photos Other Korean War Photos of 1950 Other Korean War Photos of 1951 Korean War Photos of 1952

Main Line of Resistance (MLR) - Map and Key Battles

Foreword

Contents

Tables

Charts

Maps

Illustrations

An Inchon Veteran created this site ... to help support it just check out the ad.

The Korean War, 1950-1953 Map and Battles of the MLR Combat Photos Infantry Weapons we fought with Tanks and Fighting Vehicles SEARCH SITE

Never Again! ... to help support this site just check out the ad.

Korean War Photos
Other Korean War Photos of 1950
Other Korean War Photos of 1951
Korean War Photos of 1952

Illustrations

The Korean War, 1950-1953

Map and Battles of the MLR

Combat Photos

Infantry Weapons we fought with

Tanks and Fighting Vehicles

SEARCH SITE