In 1951 General MacArthur was advocating an escalation, including an attack into Communist China, besides and embargo and air attacks. This was counter to the Administration’s and UNC’s strategic goals of bringing the Communists to the negotiating table through attrition. Macarthur became more openly critical of President Truman, and this eventually ended his career as Truman relieved him of command on April 11, 1951. General Matthew Ridgeway was appointed as the new supreme UNC commander. At the front, Chines forces launched a new offensive with 14 divisions and the UNC forces used maneuver and attrition to not only decimate the attackers but drive them back into North Korea inflicting huge casualties. On the political front, Mao and Stalin agreed it was now time to negotiate and the Soviets announced that talks would begin on July 10, 1951 among the various parties to the conflict. Meanwhile, fighting continued with both sides trying to win ground and optimize their lines for any future cease fire. While negotiations were going on, some of the bitterest fighting on the war would take place.
