Memoirs of Lieutenant General Du Ping -- Number 1
Analyzation favoring us why we could win the war.
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First, our forces were superior in numbers; at that time we estimated a ratio
of 3 to 1. The United States itself was short of manpower. Its forces had to be
divided between the defense of Western Europe and its homeland. Even though it
could send reinforcements, the maximum of American forces in Korea could
hardly exceed 500,000 men. We, however, could keep transferring our forces to
Korea rather easily from out more than 4 million troops in China.
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Second, our forces were superior in political quality. The American forces were
being sent to Korea without a clear mission. Their morale was low. Our army
would fight to defend our motherland. As the victorious army (in the Chinese
Civil War), the PLA's fame had spread far and wide, and its morale was
extremely high. With its extensive combat experience and moreover, its ability
to bear hardships, perform tough jobs, and brave difficult situations, the
Chinese Army was imbued with an indomitable spirit to crush all enemies.
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Third, the logistics service was to our advantage. Modern war demands huge
amounts of logistical supplies. The enemy heavily depended on their overseas
shipments from America, which took ten days to cross the Pacific Ocean and more
days for their inland transportation. With nationwide support and an overland
connection between China and Northeast China and Korea, our transport of
supplies was much easier, as we calculated at the meeting. Later, our operative
experience proved that our logistic service was not secured at all without
control of the air. In fact, we never gained a strong grip on the supply
problem.
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Fourth, Justice was on our side. Popular support all over the world was with
us. The enemy was in an unfavorable position as far as international opinion
was concerned.
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