Ep 4 "An Arrogant Display of Strength" (ENGLISH SUBTITLES)

Korean War
This episode outlines the great expansion of the US defense budget in response to a new US policy outlined in NSC-68; an expansion that made defense expenditures amount to about 20% of US GDP: Such expenditures haven't changed since. NSC-68 also put forth a defense posture of direct military confrontation. The Korean War was the event that inaugurated this new policy. Also in this episode is are the initial summer battles of 1950 in South Korea. General Dean is captured at Taejon, after a masterful tactical victory by the NKPA (North Korean Army). Many people in the south responded positively to the North Korean land reform program, others are executed by the NKPA. The Seoul government also executes many civillians. US soldiers often cannot distinguish friend from foe in this new war. Some US units sent to Korea from Japan and Okinawa face difficulties: The entire 3d Battalion of the US 29th Infantry Regiment was wiped out only hours after arriving in Korea. Also discussed is the brutal treatment of US prisoners of war at the hands of the NKPA. The US Army goes into Korea as a racially segregated force. The defensive line soon to be known as the "Pusan Perimeter" soon forms. This episode details the fighting around the Naktong River, west of Taegu and the Pusan perimeter. The Chinese Nationalists on Taiwan (Kuomintang) wish to send 3 divisions to fight in the Korean War, but are turned down by President Truman. MacArthur wanted them. Presidential advisor, Averil Harriman, is sent to Japan to talk to MacArthur and tell him not to attack China, on the president's orders. He's also asked to check on MacArthur's state of mental health, and whether he's fit to command. The USA is able to control the messages coming out of Korea in the UN, as the Russians were still boycotting the Security Council. British Prime Minister Clement Atlee gets on board to support the UN collective security action in Korea. The British have difficulties sending combat-ready units to Korea, but eventually assemble the British 29th Brigade out of the UK advance base at Hong Kong. UN forces enjoy almost complete air superiority, and the bombing campaign begins. The Naktong River battles continue, with the NKPA pushing UN forces further into a tighter perimeter east of the Naktong and south of Pohang. Contingencies for removing the ROK government, two divisions of soldiers, and 100,000 civilians to a US territory are made. These are rejected outright by the Korean president, Rhee. By August 1950, the US military has already suffered over 4,000 dead. MacArthur devises the Incheon landing, and succeeds in getting the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US military to accept the idea.