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
South of the highway, enemy gunners ranged in on 2/1’s lines at 1800,
adding 14 more Marines to the casualty rolls. Lieutenant Colonel Sutter
and his S-3, Captain Gildo S. Codispoti, narrowly escaped injury when
two mortar rounds hit the battalion CP. The explosions wounded Captain
Albert L. Williams, commander of Company E, and Warrant Officer Bartley
D. Kent, the battalion supply officer.[281]
[281] Cunliffe interv, 24 Aug 54.
_Orders for Crossing the Han_
Late in the afternoon of the 18th, both Corps and Division issued
orders within a period of two hours for crossing the Han. In OpnO 6-50,
the Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division directed RCT-5 to
seize crossing sites along the south bank the next day and be prepared
to cross on order while RCT-1 continued its attack along the highway
toward Yongdungpo.
Much more territory was taken in by X Corps Operational Instructions
No. 1, which ordered the 1st Marine Division to reconnoiter the river
on the 19th and cross the next day. Then, after enveloping enemy
positions on the north bank in the vicinity of Seoul, the Marines were
to seize and secure both the city and the high ground to the north.
Since the Corps did not concern itself much with ways and means,
General Smith asked for a conference at 0930 the next morning with
General Almond. He informed the X Corps commander that he and his staff
had already given considerable thought to the question of a crossing
site. A preliminary Marine study had disclosed that three abandoned
ferry crossings met military requirements: one downstream from Kimpo
Airfield; one at Yongdungpo in the zone of the 1st Marines; and one
opposite Kimpo near the village of Haengju. The first was too far from
Seoul, and the second too near; but the Haengju site seemed to satisfy
all conditions, subject to General Craig’s verification by helicopter
reconnaissance.[282]
[282] O. P. Smith, _Notes_, 218–219.
Next to be discussed was the problem of bridging material. The X Corps
engineer officer, Lieutenant Colonel Edward L. Rowny, reported that
Corps had no material other than that brought by the 1st Engineer
Battalion of the Marines. Fortunately, that unit’s commanding officer,
Lieutenant Colonel Partridge, was prepared to meet the emergency.
Although he did not have enough floating bridge material to span such a
wide stream, he reported to General Smith that he could have one 50-ton
raft in operation to support the assault of troops crossing in LVTs,
and another shortly afterwards. These rafts would take the tanks and
vehicles across, and Partridge added that later his engineers might be
able to put together an actual bridge by combining floating and Bailey
components.[283]
[283] LtCol J. H. Partridge interv, 23 Nov 54.
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