Air Sanctuaries in Limited War: A Korean War Case Study.
Abstract
When the Communist North Korean People's Army (NKPA) invades South Korea on 25 June 1950, the military forces of the Republic of Korea and the US were caught unaware and were forced to rapidly retreat south. During the early stages of the conflict, elements of the US Far East Air Forces (FEAF) bombed and strafed the invading KNPA but were restricted to targets south of the 38th parallel. This restriction was the first of many with which FEAF would be burdened during the remainder of the conflict. Indeed, this became the first significant US war which was limited in terms of both scope and firepower application. For that reason, it was a war difficult for the American public and its fighting forces to accept or understand. As the war progressed, the United Nations granted sanctuaries to the enemy which were off-limits to attack by the UN forces. Much has been said and written to the effect that UN forces were unnecessarily hampered by such restrictions. in actuality, however, both sides enjoyed sanctuaries, the objections to them by UN military forces, how the Chinese took advantage of them, and finally, identifies air sancturaries which the UN forces enjoyed during the conflict.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA177844
Entities
People
- Charles W. Hinkle
Organizations
- Air War College