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
It was not officially established who gave the order for the return
of the LVTs when they neared the north bank, if indeed such an order
was ever given. But all participants agreed that it was for the best.
Events had proved that too much dependence was placed in assumptions
of little or no resistance, despite G-2 warnings of an enemy build-up
in the Haengju area. And even if Recon Company had landed, the task of
taking three hills in a night attack without previous reconnaissance
would probably have been too much for a unit of 126 men against an
enemy estimated by Houghton at a battalion.
_Daylight Assault Crossing by 3/5_
At dawn on the 20th the command and staff of the 5th Marines rebounded
from this preliminary reverse with vigor and firmness. General Craig,
the ADC, summed up the viewpoint of Murray and his officers when he
commented:
“The eyes of the world were upon us. It would have looked bad for the
Marines, of all people, to reach a river and not be able to cross.”[300]
[300] LtGen (Ret) E. A. Craig ltr to authors, 25 Aug 54.
It was decided at 0430 that the 3d Battalion would make a daylight
assault crossing just two hours later. The revised plan called for LVTs
to cross at the Haengju site in waves of two to six vehicles. Troop
units would be organized into boat teams, and the plan provided for a
15-minute artillery preparation by the 1st and 4th Battalions of the
11th Marines.[301]
[301] MarCorps Board _Study_, II-B, 27, 28.
Many of the Marine shells fell short, so that little benefit was
derived from the barrage by the assault troops. On the other hand,
enemy fire from Hill 125 was only too well placed. About 200 hits were
taken by the first wave of amtracs from 14.5mm antitank projectiles and
small caliber high explosive shells as well as machine-gun bullets. The
armor plate prevented any infantry losses, and only four casualties
were suffered by the crews.
Battalion objectives, according to the revised plan, were designated
ABLE, BAKER, and CHARLIE--Hills 125, 51, and 95. Captain McMullen’s
Item Company landed at 0650 in the first wave, followed by How
and George. While discharging troops, the LVTs were exposed to
more machine-gun and antitank fire, resulting in several infantry
casualties.[302]
[302] This section is based upon: McMullen interv, 27 Jul 54;
Maj J. N. Irick interv, 16 Nov 54; 1st MarDiv _SAR_,
Annexes Peter Peter and Queen Queen.
Item Company, it may be recalled, consisted of newcomers who had
arrived at Pusan to make up third infantry companies just before the
Brigade embarked for Inchon. Barring a few World War II men, these
troops had known no combat experience before they hit GREEN Beach at
Wolmi-do. They acquitted themselves like veterans in the Han crossing,
however, as platoon leaders organized them under fire after they piled
out of the amtracs.
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