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
[108] See Appendix D for a list of supplies and equipment to
be embarked in assigned shipping, as prescribed by 1st
MarDiv Embarkation Order 1-50 of 31 Aug 50.
At Kobe the men of the 1st Marine Division were required to leave the
full clothing bags they had brought from San Diego and embark for
Inchon with field transport packs containing only the most essential
items. This meant that some 25,000 sea bags must be stored at the
Japanese port in such a way that future casualties and rotation drafts
could reclaim their personal effects without delay. As a reminder of
the grim task ahead, provisions must be also made to return to proper
custody the effects of deceased personnel.
_Plan to Seize Kimpo Airfield_
Intelligence reports on the eve of embarkation did not depart from
earlier estimates of a maximum of 2,500 NKPA troops in the objective
area. From 400 to 500 were believed to be garrisoning Wolmi-do, 500
defending Kimpo, and the balance stationed in and about Inchon.[109]
Despite the estimates of low to moderate enemy resistance, however,
General Smith differed with the command of X Corps when a commando-type
raid on Kimpo was proposed.
[109] 1st MarDiv _SAR_, Annex Baker.
The question came up on 8 September at a conference held at Kobe on the
_Mount McKinley_ and attended by Generals Hickey and Smith, Admiral
Doyle and Colonel Louis B. Ely, USA. Ely commanded the newly formed
X Corps Special Operations Company composed of 124 U. S. Army troops
briefly trained by TTU instructors in demolitions, individual combat
and ship-to-shore movements in rubber boats.[110] General Almond’s plan
called for this company, reinforced by Marines, to embark at Kobe on 10
September in a British frigate and transfer to a South Korean picket
boat. Upon arrival at the objective area on D-day, the raiders were to
paddle three miles in rubber boats to the north of the Attack Force,
land under cover of darkness, and move inland for a surprise attack on
Kimpo at dawn.
[110] Col E. H. Forney, _Special Report_, 5–7.
General Almond felt it necessary to seize the airfield at the earliest
possible moment. Surprise, he felt, would reduce the risks. General
Smith pointed out, however, that Colonel Ely’s men would have to row
their rubber boats against a strong tide and cross a wide expanse of
mud flats on foot. His radios could only reach four miles, and his
presence in the 1st Marine Division’s zone of action would restrict the
use of naval gunfire and air support. Finally, said the Marine general,
it was not certain that the raiders could hold the airfield even if
they took it.[111]
[111] O. P. Smith, _Notes_, 92–95.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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