Page "Battle of Kapyong" Paragraph 3

The United Nations counter offensive between February and April 1951 had been largely successful, with the US Eighth Army pushing the Chinese north of the Han River during Operation Killer, while Seoul was recaptured in mid-March during Operation Ripper and UN forces once again approached the 38th parallel.

Regardless, the strained relationship between General Douglas MacArthur and US President Harry S. Truman led to MacArthur's dismissal as Commander-in-Chief, and his replacement by General Matthew B. Ridgway.

Consequently, on 14 April 1951, General James Van Fleet had replaced Ridgway as commander of the US Eighth Army and the United Nations forces in Korea.

Ridgway flew to Tokyo the same day to replace MacArthur.

Meanwhile, the offensive continued with a series of short thrusts.

Operation Courageous, in late March, pushed forward to the Benton Line, south of the 38th parallel, while Operation Rugged in early-April pushed just north of the 38th parallel to the Kansas Line.

Finally, in mid-April a further advance moved the US Eighth Army to the Utah Line.