Memoirs of Lieutenant General Du Ping -- Number 1
Analyzation favoring us why we could win the war.
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.