Posted on Sep 15, 2023
Winning with Intelligence – The Inchon Landing
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“Intelligence reduces the unknowns that planners must face and forms the basis for both deliberate and crisis action planning,” the Naval Doctrinal Publication points out. (2) In today’s terminology this is “intelligence preparation of the battlespace.” In the case of the amphibious assault at Inchon, an attack that led to the collapse of the North Korean army and the taking of some 125,000 prisoners, intelligence gathering and planning allowed US forces to overcome geographic disadvantages and take the enemy by surprise.
On 25 June 1950 four columns of North Korean infantry and tanks under the command of Marshal Choe Yong Gun surprised the world by driving south and pushing South Korean and contingents of US forces to the southeast corner of the Korean peninsula. While winning a series of tactical successes, the North was unable to gain its strategic objective— command of all Korea—and was faced with the proposition of using all its remaining forces against the last allied forces holding the Pusan perimeter.
Through August and into September, the North threw 13 infantry and two armored divisions (98,000 men) at the Allies, necessitating the commitment of all UN reserves. And while the North suffered horrendous casualties, its tenacious attacks and acceptance of losses suggested a stronger force than they had.
On 25 June 1950 four columns of North Korean infantry and tanks under the command of Marshal Choe Yong Gun surprised the world by driving south and pushing South Korean and contingents of US forces to the southeast corner of the Korean peninsula. While winning a series of tactical successes, the North was unable to gain its strategic objective— command of all Korea—and was faced with the proposition of using all its remaining forces against the last allied forces holding the Pusan perimeter.
Through August and into September, the North threw 13 infantry and two armored divisions (98,000 men) at the Allies, necessitating the commitment of all UN reserves. And while the North suffered horrendous casualties, its tenacious attacks and acceptance of losses suggested a stronger force than they had.
Winning with Intelligence – The Inchon Landing
Posted from stationhypo.com
Posted 9 mo ago
Responses: 3
Posted 9 mo ago
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel good day Brother William, always informational and of the most interesting. Thanks for sharing, have a blessed day!
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"Therefore, just as historian John Keegan correctly states that “Knowledge of what the enemy can do and of what he intends is never enough to ensure security,” so too, having superior forces equipped with better technology is no insurance for victory when opposing an enemy that invests in intelligence (8) Absolute power does not win absolutely."
Original article moved: https://www.cia.gov/static/Intel-in-War-Decisive.pdf
Original article moved: https://www.cia.gov/static/Intel-in-War-Decisive.pdf
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Posted 9 mo ago
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
"Ever present in military discussions are questions of force composition and force employment in winning battles. Force and its employment are significant in driving outcomes in combat. However, it is operational and tactical intelligence, not necessarily numbers, technology, or tactics that can have the most decisive impact on how forces are employed and how success is achieved in wartime operations. Intelligence can be a force multiplier. Considering the value of force, technology, and mass without placing a corresponding value on intelligence is a mistake. In Korea in 1950, intelligence gave commanders the knowledge of the battlefield (battlespace awareness) and the understanding of their foe to focus allied forces at the right place and time."...
"Ever present in military discussions are questions of force composition and force employment in winning battles. Force and its employment are significant in driving outcomes in combat. However, it is operational and tactical intelligence, not necessarily numbers, technology, or tactics that can have the most decisive impact on how forces are employed and how success is achieved in wartime operations. Intelligence can be a force multiplier. Considering the value of force, technology, and mass without placing a corresponding value on intelligence is a mistake. In Korea in 1950, intelligence gave commanders the knowledge of the battlefield (battlespace awareness) and the understanding of their foe to focus allied forces at the right place and time."...
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