After the outbreak of the Korean War, the situation on the peninsula was like a roller coaster for a time, with great ups and downs and reversals.
First of all, the well-prepared North Korean People's Army swept south Korea directly, and it seemed that it was about to unify the peninsula; at this time, the United States used its powerful land, sea and air coordination combat superiority to launch the Inchon landing, encircled the North Korean rear road, and quickly turned the tide of the war, and North Korea was facing a critical moment of life and death.
At this critical moment, the Chinese volunteer army came out, and the first battle confused the American army and the ROK army, and the American army suddenly changed from a victor to a defeated army that fled in a hurry.
What made the US military most unbearable was that the commander of the Eighth Army, Walker, who had the nickname of the "bulldog" of the US army, was actually hit by the ROK truck that desperately tried to seize the road and fled on the way back!
This U.S. World War II tyrant did not die at the hands of the Japanese, nor did he die at the hands of the Chinese volunteers, but died so humiliatingly under the wheels of the ROK army, which is really difficult for the Americans to accept.
Therefore, the Americans, who were originally reluctant to take care of this business, strongly demanded the withdrawal of troops, and the voice was very high, both in the civilian and military. However, out of the strategic need to dominate the world, the American leader felt that the war must be won, so as soon as Walker died, he immediately sent another World War II veteran, Ridgway, to succeed Walker as the commander of the Eighth Army.
When Ridgway arrived on the peninsula, South Korean "President" Syngman Rhee personally went to greet him, and Ridgway shook Rhee's hand and promised in front of all US and ROK officials and media reporters: "I did not come to South Korea with the intention of withdrawing troops or withdrawing troops, but to repel the invasion of all people and defend the free land of South Korea!" ”
An impassioned speech moved Rhee, who was originally a little worried, to tears and excitedly said: "General, you said that you need me to do something, I will definitely do it!" ”
Ridgway said: "Our immediate priority now is to build a strong defensive barrier in Seoul to stop the Chinese volunteers from attacking, so we will need a lot of fortification labor." ”
Syngman Rhee said without hesitation: "As many people as you need, you can open your mouth." ”
Ridgway said: "It may take tens of thousands of people." ”
Syngman Rhee made a very bold promise: "General, I will give you 100,000 migrant workers!" ”
Syngman Rhee's "determination" and "courage" also made Li Qiwei somewhat moved.
However, shortly after Ridgway took office, he discovered the seriousness of the situation, which could not be reversed by a few "bold words", not only the morale of the ROK army, but even the US army was low to the point where it was impossible to fight.
Ridgway knew that the morale of the army was the most crucial factor in determining the war, and if morale was not revived, any advanced weapons and equipment and strong fortifications would be in vain.
However, the Chinese volunteer army would not give him time, and soon launched a second campaign, once again defeating the US and South Korean troops like birds of fright, and the Chinese volunteers pointed directly at Seoul, the "capital of Korea"!
Ridgway immediately began to defend, but what he did not expect was that the ROK army, which was acting as a flank defense, faced with the attack of the Chinese volunteer army, like seeing a flood beast, was frightened and frightened, did not obey the order at all, and fled the trench fortifications one after another, and every truck and jeep was crowded with ROK soldiers, rampaged, grabbed the road and fled, there was no ROK soldier who was crowded into the car, had to shake off his feet, and run desperately with the car! The defense line carefully built by Syngman Rhee, who organized 100,000 laborers, suddenly revealed a huge opening.
Ridgway saw that the general situation had gone, and had no choice but to order the US troops to retreat immediately. At this point, Syngman Rhee stopped working and angrily questioned Lee why he did not keep his promise and give up Seoul.
Ridgway was also angry, and he, who had always been a very gentleman, could no longer pay attention to politeness, pointed to the Korean soldiers who were running away from the window, and shouted: "Look at you soldiers, where there is a little soldier's appearance!" Pigs and sheep who are completely frightened will flee for their own lives and destroy all defensive efforts! You say, don't retreat? Waiting to be a prisoner of the Chinese? ”
In this way, Ridgway, who was originally full of ambition, was splashed with a basin of cold water by the incompetent South Korean army, and a cavity of blood was immediately poured out.