Information to Users
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6" x 9" black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. ProQuest Information and Learning 300 North Zeeb Road. Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA 800-521-0600 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. THE DRAGON FROM THE STREAM: THE ROK ARMY IN TRANSITION AND THE KOREAN WAR, 1950-1953 DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By 11-Song Park, M.A. * * * * * The Ohio State University 2002 Dissertation Committee: Approved By Professor Allan R. Millett, Adviser Professor James R. Bartholomew Adviser Professor David Stebenne Department of History Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 3039511 ___ ® UMI UMI Microform 3039511 Copyright 2002 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Copyright by Il-Song Park 2002 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT This dissertation explores the development of the Republic of Korea Army during the Korean War, focusing on its effort to enhance the combat effectiveness. It began first as the Constabulary in January 1946, when the United States Army military Government formed it to support police. Until the establishment of the ROK government in 1948, the Constabulary remained a police reserve. From the fall of 1948, the ROK army was responsible for the national defense of the new republic. However, on the eve of the war, the South Koreans had just about 100,000 men in the armed forces, of which 90,000 was for the army. The eight light-infantry divisions were solely defending the nation from the internal and external threats. With the coming of the war on June 25, 1950, the ROK army units could not stop the well-trained and heavily-equipped the Korean People's Army of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea). During the first year of fighting, the ROK army did not show any reliable combat power in the field. However, when the armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, three years later, the ROK army was defending two-thirds of the frontline with over 600.000 men and women in uniform. The most significant changes within the ROK army happened in the areas of leadership, training and schooling, and weapons and equipment. ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Improvement in these areas began from the summer of 1951 when the front became stabilized to initiate the intensive and systematic programs of training. These training and schooling programs began to transform he ROK army to an effective army. Along with this came the improved firepower. After the summer of 1952, the ROKA units showed the enhanced combat effectiveness and, as a result, it launched the expansion program to the twenty-division army. At the same time, the ROK army added heavy weapons and equipment to its inventory, increasing its combat power. The ROK army of 1953 had much different characteristics from that of 1950. It became a reliable army for national defense. Improvement of the combat effectiveness, especially in the areas of leadership, training and schooling, and weapons and equipment, played the key role in changing the ROK army’s characteristics. in Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This dissertation is a collective endeavor of many people. First, I would like to express my deep appreciation to the Republic of Korea Army for allowing me several years of absence from active duty and for providing me with Financial support while studying in the United States. I also extend my thanks to the Department of History of the Ohio State University for offering me a graduate associate position during 2000-2001 academic year. I have been indebted to many people during my research. My thanks go to following people: Mr. Richard L. Boylan, Senior Military Archivist, Modern Military Reference, National Archives and Records Administration; Mrs. Joanne Hartog, George C. Marshall Library; and the staffs of the United States Army Military History Institute Library. However, my study could not have been completed without help and encouragement of many people at the Korea Military Academy and the Ohio State University. Professor Lee Chung-jin, Colonel Ohn Chang-il, Colonel Chung To- woong, Lieutenant Colonel Kim Kwang-su of the Department of Military History at the KMA had triggered my interests in military history during the undergraduate years and has always given warm encouragement thereafter. Captain Na Jong-nam continued to provide the valuable Korean material to the iv Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. end of this study. At the Ohio State University, Dr. Mark Grimsley, Dr. John F. Guilmartin, and the great people of military history program has always given me the warmest welcome. Dr. James R. Bartholomew and Dr. David Stebenne have not only encouraged me throughout my study but also sharpened my intellectual curiosity with new historical insights on Japan and the United States. A special mention goes to my advisor and mentor Dr. Allan R. Millet. From my First day at the Ohio State, he has always guided me with inspiration, constructive criticism, and editorial corrections. I also wish to thank to my family members - my parents, mother-in-law, brothers and sisters, and brother-in-laws for their support and encouragements. My son, Chan-Wook and my daughter, Seo-Hyeon have always been the source of vigor and delight. Finally to my wife, and best friend, In-Ok Park Lee, I owe everything. Her love, patience, and understanding made this dissertation possible. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. VITA September 28, 1966 ...........................................................................Born - Buan, Korea 1988 .................................................................................B.A. Korea Military Academy Seoul, Korea 1992 ...............................................................................M.A. in History, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 1992-1997 ........................................................... Full-time Lecturer in Military History, Korea Military Academy 2000-2001 ................................................................Graduate Associate, Department of History, The Ohio State University 1998-Present........................................................ Major, The Republic of Korea Army FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: History vi Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract .................................................................................................................................ii Acknowledgments ..............................................................................................................iv Vita.......................................................................................................................................vi List of Tables ...................................................................................................................viii List of Maps........................................................................................................................ix INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................. 1 CHAPTERS 1. THE ARMY ON THE EVE OF THE WAR............................................. 14 2. THE ARMY COLLAPSED? JUNE-OCTOBER 1950 ............................. 65 3. CHINESE OFFENSIVES AND ANOTHER ORDEAL. NOVEMBER 1950-JUNE 1951 ............................................................