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
The 7th Marines put in a busy day at seizing objectives which consisted
of the high ground north of Seoul on both sides of the main highway
from the capital to Uijongbu. Opposition was light to moderate, with
the stiffest resistance occurring in areas which indicated that the
enemy intended to put up a fight to protect his escape route to
Uijongbu. Seventy-five tons of American-made dynamite and explosives,
captured by the 7th Marines, were believed to have been originally
supplied to the ROK forces before the war and abandoned during the
NKPA invasion.[451] Total advances for the day ranged from 1,500 yards
in the zone of the 3d Battalion to 2,600 yards in the zone of the 2d
Battalion.
[451] _Ibid._, Annex Roger Roger.
When the 1st Marines jumped off at 0645 on the 28th, the 1st and 2d
Battalions were in assault. The 3d Battalion remained in an assembly
area in the rear and continued mopping up along with the 2d KMC
Battalion. Although organized resistance in the city had been broken,
the 1st Battalion met stubborn resistance from enemy groups and
encountered many mines. The 2d Battalion, on the left, made headway
against light opposition.
These attacks cleared the remainder of Seoul and took the assault
battalions to Hill 133 (Objective ABLE) commanding the city on the
northeast.[452]
[452] _Ibid._, Annex Peter Peter.
General Smith visited the CPs of all three regiments on the 28th by
helicopter. He found Colonel Puller at the Ducksoo Palace, near the
intersection of the streetcar lines. Colonel Litzenberg’s CP was
located a short distance to the west, and Lieutenant Colonel Murray had
established his headquarters in the Women’s University on the northwest
outskirts of the city.
Later that day Generals Smith and Craig displaced the Division CP from
Oeoso-ri to a barracks area in Seoul, southwest of South Mountain. The
two Marine generals took over a former infirmary, but they decided that
the mortuary slab was too depressing and had that fixture removed.[453]
[453] O. P. Smith, _Notes_, 308, 338–339.
_Liberation Ceremonies at Seoul_
Planning for impressive liberation ceremonies at Seoul had begun while
the street fighting was at its height. The 1st Marine Division was
requested by Corps to furnish two honor guards and a band. Musical
instruments having been left behind in Japan, air shipment was
prescribed.[454]
[454] O. P. Smith, _Chronicle_, 27 Sep 50, _Notes_, 313–315.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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