795.00/7–950: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, Far East (MacArthur) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff 1
operational immediate
[Received July 9—2:45 a. m.]
CX 57481. The situation in Korea is critical. We are endeavoring by all means now avail here to build up the force nec to hold the enemy, but to date our efforts against his armor and mechanized forces have been ineffective. His armored equip is of the best and the service thereof, as reported by qualified veteran observers, as good as any seen at any time in the last war. They further state that the enemy’s inf is of thoroughly first class quality.
This force more and more assumes the aspect of a combination of Soviet leadership and technical guidance with Chinese Communist ground elements. While it serves under the flag of North Korea, it can no longer be considered as an indigenous North Korean mil effort.
Our own troops are fulfilling expectations and are fighting with valor against overwhelming odds of more than ten to one. To build up, under these circumstances, sufficiently to hold the southern tip of Korea is becoming increasingly problematical.
I strongly urge that in add to those forces already requisitioned, an army of at least four divisions, with all its component services, be dispatched to this area without delay and by every means of transportation available.
The situation has developed into a major operation.2
- A manuscript notation on the source text indicated that Secretary Acheson saw this message.↩
- On July 7, General MacArthur had informed the JCS of his intent, once the North Korean advance had been halted, “to exploit our air and sea control, and, by amphibious maneuver, strike him [—the enemy—] behind his mass of ground force.” (See Appleman, South to the Naktong, North to the Yalu, p. 118.)↩