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
As the two assault companies reorganized on the newly won ridge, Fenton
spotted a large number of Red troops on Hill 80, now about 1,000 yards
away. He directed an air strike from his advance position, and the
Corsairs not only cut down many of the North Koreans but completely
routed the survivors. While the planes worked over the enemy positions
on the high ground, the Marines of Company B observed a growing throng
of NKPA soldiers in the vicinity of the Kalchon Bridge leading to
Yongdungpo. Some of the Reds were milling around, but others were
filing across the undamaged span and disappearing into a knot of
warehouses and huts at the far end. Fenton radioed for artillery fire
just as Communist machine guns and an AT weapon opened up on Baker
Company from positions across the bridge. Four times firing for effect
with “battery four rounds,” the Marine howitzers sent a total of 96
shells crashing into the enemy positions within the space of a few
minutes. The explosions neutralized the bridge area, but the span
itself was badly damaged in the process.[320]
[320] Maj F. I. Fenton, Jr., memo to authors, 1 Jun 55.
First Lieutenant Pedersen led Company C along the highway toward Hills
80 and 85 at 1430. Owing to the press of time, the area between the
road and the Han River was not cleared, with the result that small
bands of enemy were left free to roam the fields and make their
presence felt later. The 3d Platoon, under Second Lieutenant Harold L.
Dawe, Jr., peeled off the column and attacked Hill 80 shortly after
1500. Following at an interval of 500 yards, Second Lieutenant Robert
H. Corbet’s 1st Platoon continued along the pavement toward Hill 85. A
platoon of A/Tanks supported the two-pronged assault along with Charlie
Company’s mortars and machine guns, and by 1650 the two heights were
secured. In the wake of the air strike called down by Fenton, the
attacking infantry had encountered practically no opposition.
Yongdungpo, bristling with Communist armament, rumbled its challenge
from the low ground 500 yards east of Hill 85. Taken under heavy fire
by artillery, mortars, and small arms, Company C was forced to dig in
on the reverse slopes of its high ground, there to await the expected
counterattack after nightfall.
_Enemy Minefields Encountered_
As noted previously, the 2d and 3d Battalions, 1st Marines, spent
the night of 18–19 September astride the Inchon-Seoul Highway a mile
east of Sosa. The 1st Battalion, deployed over a broad front in the
hills south of the road, was to be relieved in the morning by the
32d Infantry, so that Colonel Puller could shift his regiment to the
left. Since the relief did not take place as early as expected, Puller
ordered his 2d and 3d Battalions to attack at 1030, leaving 1/1 in
position to await replacement by the Army unit.[321]
[321] 1st MarDiv _SAR_, Annex Peter Peter.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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