The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1951-06-06
GENERAL RIDGwAY's SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY

The general situation in Korea far geography is
concerned just about where when the war began
nearly year ago. The North Koraens, in their initial OF
fensve swept down the Pusan beachhead but were Ia
ter thrown the spectacular offensive that included
the daring amphibious landing at lnchon
The Chinese Communists entered the war in late No
MEMBER and in their first offensive pushed down to the
Thirty Eighth Parallel recapturing nearly 10000 square
miles of territory which had been occupied by the United
Nations their gradual advance to the Iau River
The second offensive of the Chinese which took place
n January resulted in gain of about 5000 square miles
This put them we'll below the Thirty Eighth Parallel and
south of Seoul the South Korean capital at was about
this time that there talk of possible forced evacua-
ton of South Korea but after study our military
leaders concluded that forces could hold on and avoid
any compulsory evacuation by sea.
The third Chinese offensive which began in April
place after General Matthew B. Ridgway had taken
command Of the United Nations forces and devised an
effective strategy Between the January and April often
sve probing operations reclaimed much of the ground
gained by the Chinese in their January operation Con-
sequeny the third Chinese offensive occurred with
gain nearly 5000 square miles, all Of the recaps
represented territory that had been reclaimed by
the Allied forces.
THE latest Chinese effort which occurred in May,
resulted in gain of about 900 square miles All of the
territory gained had been earlier captured in the January
offensive and the of the effort left the Chinese below
the Thirty Eighth Parallel across the front.
Since that time, the United Nations forces have push
inflict additional losses upon the Chinese.
1t should not be overlooked that the Chinese in each
of the four offensves have proclaimed their aim to de-
sroy the mperast forces and hur the remnant of the
In army into the sea Each time they have failed of
their objective and each succeeding assault has gained less
ground at the cost of heavier casualties. sss
This satisfactory result is explained prncpay by the
prepondeant fire power of Allied armies despite the Chi
superiority ground forces of at least two and half
In addition, the Chinese have foundeit difficult
Ia had
down coastal roads and railways and for than $50
miles. these communication lines at the mercy of
Allied bombers. At points, they could be brought
under naval gunfire.
General Ridgway taking note of the Chinese attack
plans devised strategy that has worked successfully In
each of the Chinese attacks they have made initial
rault against South Korean divisions with the idea Of
breaking through and then, by turning the TANKS trap
the Allied forces in deep pockets To counter this Gen.
era Rdgway ordered his troops to fall back when at
tackled with the object of saving artillery fire Besides
he maintained reserves behind the front plug up any
hole
Following each attack, when the enemy lost his for
ward momentum, the Allied army has moved to the
offensive Tank spearheads pushed forward and ground
troops pressed the retreag Chinese These tactics have
been followed long contact could be maintained
with the retreatng enemy but, this broken.
General Ridgway has persstenty used tank patrols to
probe the enemy positions His design is to keep enemy
troops off balance and by continuous force the
Chinese to attack in effort to vital supplies to
prevent the dsoeation of their offensive schedule
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