Changes

In the summer of 1950, North Korean forces under [[Kim Il Sung]], 135,000 strong and supported by 200 aircraft, thrust southwards. The 95,000 strong South Korean army, created under US control, was unmotivated, inefficient and had been deliberately denied heavy weapons; within hours most formations had fled south, often abandoning their equipment. After a week, almost half of the South Korean army had disappeared.

In the summer of 1950, North Korean forces under [[Kim Il Sung]], 135,000 strong and supported by 200 aircraft, thrust southwards. The 95,000 strong South Korean army, created under US control, was unmotivated, inefficient and had been deliberately denied heavy weapons; within hours most formations had fled south, often abandoning their equipment. After a week, almost half of the South Korean army had disappeared.

A United Nations resolution, passed in the absence of the USSR, which was boycotting the UN at the time, condemned the attack and demanded the withdrawal of the North Korean forces. The United States, was the most enthusiastic in pursuing these demands.  A second resolution invited member nations to provide forces to repel the invasion, which the United had already started doing.

A United Nations resolution, passed in the absence of the USSR, which was boycotting the UN at the time, condemned the attack and demanded the withdrawal of the North Korean forces. The United States was the most enthusiastic in pursuing these demands.  A second resolution invited member nations to provide forces to repel the invasion, which the United States had already started doing.

The [[United States Air Force]] was the first (non-Korean) force to respond to the invasion.  Initial action, however, was limited to making sure American citizens were evacuated safely.  Once the first UN resolution was passed, attention turned to stopping the North Korean advance.  USAF planes flew from bases in [[Japan]] and [[Okinawa]], and two [[aircraft carrier]]s were in the area, the USS ''Valley Forge'' and the British HMS ''Triumph''.  In addition, US [[cruisers]] and [[destroyer]]s off the coast lent fire support to the retreating South Korean forces.<ref>''Historical Atlas of the U.S. Navy'', by Craig L. Symonds, the Naval Institute, 1995</ref>

The [[United States Air Force]] was the first (non-Korean) force to respond to the invasion.  Initial action, however, was limited to making sure American citizens were evacuated safely.  Once the first UN resolution was passed, attention turned to stopping the North Korean advance.  USAF planes flew from bases in [[Japan]] and [[Okinawa]], and two [[aircraft carrier]]s were in the area, the USS ''Valley Forge'' and the British HMS ''Triumph''.  In addition, US [[cruisers]] and [[destroyer]]s off the coast lent fire support to the retreating South Korean forces.<ref>''Historical Atlas of the U.S. Navy'', by Craig L. Symonds, the Naval Institute, 1995</ref>

=== Pusan perimeter ===

=== Pusan perimeter ===

By September, the surviving South Korean forces, and the US Eighth Army which had been sent to assist were confined to a small enclave around the Southern city of Pusan behind the Naktong river. It had taken months to assemble more than a handful of American troops; American air units had made some ineffectual sorties; and the suggestion that North Korea should be [[atomic bomb|nuked]] was not taken any further.  

By September, the surviving South Korean forces, and the US Eighth Army which had been sent to assist were confined to a small enclave around the southern port city of Pusan behind the Naktong river. It had taken months to assemble more than a handful of American troops; American air units had made some ineffectual sorties; and the suggestion that North Korea should be [[atomic bomb|nuked]] was not taken any further.  

=== Inchon landings ===

=== Inchon landings ===