Message from General Douglas MacArthur to President Harry S. Truman

SECRET DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 R DOD Directive 5100.30, June 18, 1979 SIGNAL CENTER The White House By NLT-HC NARS, Date 11-5-80 19 July 1950 FROM: General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Tokyo TO : THE PRESIDENT NR : C58248 DTG : 191805Z PERSONAL FOR THE PRESIDENT: Reference your WH 498, 19 July 1950. The following is my current estimate of the Korean situation: "With the deployment in Korea of major elements of the 8th Army now accomplished the first phase of the campaign has ended and with it the chance for victory by the North Korean Forces. The enemy's plan and great opportunity depended upon the speed with which he could overrun South Korea once he had breached the Han River line and with overwhelming numbers and superior weapons temporarily shattered South Korean resistance. This chance he has now lost through the extraordinary speed with which the 8th Army has been deployed from Japan to stem his rush. When he crashed the Han Line the way seemed entirely open and victory was within his grasp. The desperate decision to throw in piecemeal American elements as they arrived by every available means of transport from Japan was the only hope to save the situation. The skill and valor thereafter displayed in successive holding actions by the ground forces in accordance with this concept, brilliantly supported in complete coordination by air and naval elements, SECRET