795.00/11–1350: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom
niact
2487. Pls discuss with FonMin at earliest possible moment grave problem confronting UN forces in Korea in use by enemy of Manchuria as privileged sanctuary for forces which are in fact attacking [Page 1145] UN forces in Korea itself. See excerpt from Austin’s statement to UNSC on Nov 10.1
This problem arises in two respects. First, ground forces can move into Korea and supply themselves from bases and lines of communications which are largely sheltered by immunity of Manchuria. Secondly, enemy aircraft (nationality not always known) operate from Manchurian fields, dash into Korea air space to strike UN air and ground forces and then fly to safety behind Manchurian border a very few minutes away.
UN Commander has strictest orders about violations Manchurian territory in addition to orders to use extreme care in operations near the frontier itself to insure that hostilities are restricted to Korea. This determination to play according to the rules imposes most serious handicap in face of an enemy which is willing not only to break the rules themselves but to exploit proper conduct UN forces.
US Govt is determined to do everything possible to localize conflict in Korea. This is illustrated by rigorous instructions to Commanders as well as by efforts made to adjust accidental intrusions into Chi territory by offering compensation for damages, etc. It is obvious, however, that the abuse of Manchuria by the enemy could easily impose an intolerable burden upon UN forces operating lawfully and properly on UN missions in Korea. Therefore, US Govt wishes to inform Govt to which you are accredited that it may become necessary at an early date to permit UN aircraft to defend themselves in the air space over the Yalu River to the extent of permitting hot pursuit of attacking enemy aircraft up to two or three minutes flying time into Manchurian air space. It is contemplated that UN aircraft wld limit themselves to repelling enemy aircraft engaged in offensive missions into Korea. We believe this wld be a minimum reaction to extreme provocation, wld not itself affect adversely the attitude of the enemy toward Korean operations, wld serve as a warning, and wld add greatly to morale of UN pilots who are now prevented from taking minimum defense measures and for whom in case of bomber pilots it is impossible under existing conditions to provide adequate air cover.
FYI we are not asking the concurrence of Govt because we believe the highly limited application of hot pursuit doctrine in this situation wld turn upon milit necessity and elementary principles of self-defense, but we think it important that Govt be notified of the problem. Pls telegraph any reactions niact.2
- Ambassador Austin in his statement had referred to reports received on the afternoon of November 10 concerning the shooting down of two U.N. B–29 bombers by planes operating out of Manchuria (U.N. document S/PV.521).↩
- This telegram was repeated for action to the Embassies in Canberra, Ottawa, and Paris, and for information to the Embassies in Ankara, Moscow, New Delhi, The Hague, and Wellington.↩