U.S. Marine Operations in Korea, 1950-1953, Volume 2 (of 5): The Inchon-Seoul OperationMontross, Lynn
History
U.S. Marine Operations in Korea, 1950-1953, Volume 2 (of 5): The Inchon-Seoul Operation
Montross, Lynn
Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Campaigns; United States. Marine Corps -- History -- Korean War, 1950-1953
In the center of Puller’s zone, the 1st Battalion had moved rapidly to
fill the gap between the 2d and 3d. Attacking into the vacuum left by
the retreating enemy, Hawkins’ unit drove two mountainous miles beyond
the O-3 Line, finally stopping for the night on high ground about
2,500 yards south of 2/1’s positions on Hill 186. The break in the
regimental front was protected when 3/1 shifted northward and formed a
reserve perimeter to the rear of the lines, after being relieved on the
right at 1700 by Captain Kenneth J. Houghton’s Reconnaissance Company.
Assuming responsibility for the Division’s southern flank, the Recon
troops set up a night defense at the base of the Namdong Peninsula with
their front linked to that of 1/1 on the left.[207]
[207] Recon Co, HqBn, 1st MarDiv _Unit Rpts_, 9 Sep-11 Nov
50; and Ridge ltr, 12 May 55.
_Displacement Ashore of Division CP_
The establishment of a Division CP on shore was delayed by the
necessity of utilizing every minute of the limited periods of high tide
for the movement of troops, supplies, and equipment. General Smith
decided on D-day that it would not be advisable to displace his CP
ashore until General Craig and the ADC group (former headquarters of
1st ProvMarBrig) were able to set up adequate communications. With this
object in mind, the ADC group landed on the evening high tide of D-day
to locate an advance echelon on Wolmi-do.
Not much could be done that evening. And in the morning Craig informed
CG 1st MarDiv that the island was too crowded. He reported that he
and Lieutenant Colonel Stewart had discovered a likely spot on the
southeast outskirts of Inchon and recommended that the CP be moved
without delay.[208] General Smith approved and the move started at once.
[208] BGen E. W. Snedeker ltr to authors, 5 Apr 55.
Meanwhile, a good deal of military housekeeping had been accomplished
in the Inchon port area. Lieutenant Colonel John H. Partridge’s 1st
Engineer Battalion was given the task of making a survey of beach exit
roads with a view to opening up an MSR between RED and BLUE Beaches.
After elements of Company A hit GREEN Beach, the remaining troops of
the battalion had landed on the two beaches and assisted shore party
units at unloading water, ammunition, and rations. This work was so
well along by the morning of D-plus 1 that the engineers opened up the
MSR between the two beaches and assigned personnel for improvement
and maintenance. A Water point was established at the north end of
RED Beach with 31 distillation units, and 125,000 gallons were issued
during the next six days.[209]
[209] 1st MarDiv _SAR_, Annex Nan Nan.
The new Division CP on the outskirts of Inchon was ready by the
afternoon of D-plus 1, and General Smith said goodbye to General
MacArthur on the bridge of the _Mount McKinley_. The commander in chief
wished him well and enjoined him to take Kimpo Airfield at the first
opportunity.[210]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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