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
On the Division’s right, 1/1 gained another 4,000 yards in the course
of 18 September. In its third consecutive day of attack, the battalion
had yet to encounter anything more formidable than steep hills and
vapid enemy bands. Hawkins built his night defenses along a mountainous
two-mile front south of 2/1’s position overlooking the highway.
[Illustration: CAPTURE OF SOSA
1st MARINES--18 SEP]
_Reports of Enemy Build-up_
There was little activity in the 5th Marines’ zone of action during
the 1st Regiment’s drive on Sosa. After helping 2/5 smash the dawn
counterattack at Kimpo, Company C, 1st Battalion, attacked Objective
Fox under cover of an artillery preparation. Lieutenant Pedersen’s unit
seized the high ground against light opposition at 0930, while the
remainder of 1/5 remained entrenched at Objective Easy, captured the
previous day.[277]
[277] 1st MarDiv _SAR_, Annex Queen Queen.
Murray’s CP displaced to Kimpo at 1245 on the 18th, and the regiment
spent the rest of the day patrolling from its positions which ringed
the airfield. On the 5th Marines’ left, the 3d Battalion of the KMC was
joined by 1/KMC in searching out the base of the Kumpo Peninsula. A
new security force was added to the Division sector when the 17th ROK
Regiment landed at Inchon and fanned out to comb the troublesome area
between Ascom City and the sea.[278]
[278] _Ibid._; and 1st MarDiv _Chief of Staff_ (C/S)
_Journal_, 15–20 Sep 50.
The General Situation Map gives the disposition of friendly and
suspected enemy elements as of late afternoon on 18 September. This
date is particularly important in that the Marine division, regimental,
and battalion headquarters were swamped by a torrent of intelligence
which indicated for the first time the future patterns of organized
NKPA resistance.
Beginning on the left of the broad arc of the 1st Marine Division’s
front, repeated reports told of enemy concentrations north and south of
the Han River in the area of the Kumpo Peninsula.[279] Upwards of 1,000
troops were sighted by natives and air observers, and it was believed
that the North Koreans were organizing for an attempt against Kimpo.
A strike by four Navy Skyraiders caught part of the Red force exposed
on both banks of the Han northeast of the airfield. After killing an
estimated 50 of the enemy and dispersing the remainder, the Navy pilots
reported the area “still active.”
[279] The following narrative, unless otherwise noted, is
derived from: 1st MarDiv _C/S Journal_, 15–20 Sep 50;
1st MarDiv _SAR_, Annex Queen Queen; and 1st Marines
_PIR No. 3_.
[Illustration: _Hail to the Chief--General Smith welcomes General
MacArthur ashore, on D-plus 2, for his first trip of inspection (U. S.
Army Photo)._]
[Illustration: _Drive to Kimpo----Above, Marines pass burning enemy
tank with bodies of NKPA soldiers on top; and, below, enemy transport
knocked out by Marine planes (Marine Corps Photos)._]
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