Essay On Task Force Smith Korean War

Task Force Smith in Korean War 1950 - 1953

Task Force Smith was the first United States (US) Ground Forces unit that entered in combat during the Korean War 1950. US Government deployed Task Force Smith in Korea without clear prior strategy of how and for what to use it. During the initial phase of the Korean War, the United States forces repeatedly were entering in the battle against the North Koreans without real task, but with the illusion that it is better to do something than do nothing. US Government transferred Task Force Smith from Japan without any specific training and clear tasks. They had pore Intel information, not enough weapons, and equipment. The outcome of the Korean War would be different if Task Force Smith were provided

In 1945, at the proposal of the Soviet Union (USSR), allies divided Korean territory with 38 Parallel into two zones: north and south. Before surrendering of Japan, USA and USSR troops occupied the same territories. United Nation council adopted resolution in 1946 and recommended free choice of Korean people to choose the territory, and free elections, but USSR did not agree with this decision of the United Nations (UN). In 1948 the UN send a delegation to observe the parliamentary elections in the Korean peninsula, but the USSR refused access in the southern part of the peninsula. Temporary Commission for Korea decided to conduct elections only in the United States occupied, southern, part of the Peninsula. After the elections, UN proclaimed the Republic of Korea (South Korea). Almost at the same time was founded the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) which under the control of the Communists. Political leaders of both countries wanted to take power over the whole Korean Peninsula. In 1949, Soviet and US troops leave the Peninsula, however, local begin to prepare for war. USSR and China secretly supported the decision of North Korean leader to unify and take power of the peninsula. In the autumn and winter of 1949, there were serious border incidents that repeated in the autumn of 1950, and on 25 June 1950, North Korean troops crossed the border and

North Korean allies in the war were China and USSR. At the beginning of the war, they still did not participate openly in the fighting, but supported KPA with weapons, equipment, and resources. In addition, KPA had foreign "volunteers" who helped with their experience, knowledge, and skills. In 1949, the Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong seized power in China. US do not allow China, represented from Mao, to take its place at the UN, and many years Taiwan occupied the Chinese place in UN. USSR’s leader, Joseph Stalin, was very pleased with the communist power in China and in act of opposition to the USA decision, the Soviet Union withdrew from the UN. The US government was not agree with the situation in China, and the communist’s victory in Chinese civil war. The Chinese communists leader knew that, and this was one the reasons that China was helping KPA in every possible way. Mao Zedong wanted to keep the USA and their allies as far away from its borders as can. Next reason for helping KPA was USSR pressure and