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
Hill 118 was the principal terrain feature between Kimpo Airfield and
Yongdungpo, the dominating peak being about three miles from the former
and two from the latter. Giant spurs from the main ridge extended
northward toward the Han and eastward to the bed of the Kalchon, beyond
which lay Yongdungpo. At the end of one easterly projection were the
twin caps, Hills 80 and 85. Paralleling the Han River, a modern highway
led from Kimpo, passed north of Hill 118, skirted 80 and 85, then
bridged the Kalchon to enter Yongdungpo from the northwest.
It will be recalled that the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, occupied high
ground generally east of Kimpo Airfield at the close of 18 September.
During the night, Lieutenant Colonel Murray ordered the unit to seize
Hills 80 and 85 the next day. To gain these gates to Yongdungpo, it
would be necessary to take Hill 118; and the battalion commander,
Lieutenant Colonel Newton, formulated his plan accordingly.[318]
Company B would leave its positions on old Objective EASY at dawn and
envelop Hill 118 from the south. Company C would attack frontally
from Objective FOX, assist the enveloping force by taking one of
118’s spurs, then continue eastward to seize 80 and 85. Company A was
to remain behind an Objective EASY for the purpose of guarding the
approaches to the airfield.
[318] Unless otherwise noted, the story of 1/5’s fight is
derived from 1st MarDiv _SAR_, Annex Queen Queen.
At dawn of 19 September, Company C atop Objective FOX was greeted
by a hail of mortar and small-arms fire. Under this shield part of
a 500-man enemy force attacked the Marine position from the east,
while the remainder attempted to move along the Yongdungpo-Kimpo
Highway, obviously bent on reaching the airfield. Other large NKPA
concentrations were spotted at the base of Hill 118.
Charlie Company’s organic weapons roared into action along with the
battalion 81s. While the Marine fire cut swaths through the exposed
enemy ranks, Baker Company lunged forward to envelop Hill 118 according
to plan. Air and artillery paved the way so effectively that Captain
Fenton’s unit gained the commanding peak about 1100 without suffering a
casualty. This left the North Korean attackers, who had been contained
by Charlie Company, trapped between Objective Fox and Hill 118. After
losses of 300 dead and 100 prisoners, the Red Force broke into a few
small bands that fled across the highway to the fields and villages
bordering the Han. Company C’s casualties in stopping the attack
and moving forward to its spur on Hill 118 were two killed and six
wounded.[319]
[319] _Ibid._; and Capt. P. F. Pedersen memo to authors, 30
May 55.
[Illustration: ACTION ON 19 SEPTEMBER
SHOWING ATTACKS BY 1/5, 2/1, & 3/1]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account