U.S. Marine Operations in Korea, 1950-1953, Volume 3 (of 5): The Chosin Reservoir CampaignMontross, Lynn
History
U.S. Marine Operations in Korea, 1950-1953, Volume 3 (of 5): The Chosin Reservoir Campaign
Montross, Lynn
Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Campaigns; United States. Marine Corps -- History -- Korean War, 1950-1953
Lieutenant Colonel Drysdale’s plan of attack had called for his British
Marines to lead out at 0930 and seize the first hill mass to the east
of the road. Captain Sitter’s George Company of 3/1 was to follow
and pass through to attack Hill 1236, with Baker Company of the 31st
Infantry in reserve. LtCol Sutter, assisted by his staff, had the
responsibility for planning and coordinating preparatory artillery and
mortar fires from Koto-ri and attaching an air liaison officer to the
task force.[468]
[468] Unless otherwise specified, this section is based on: CO
41st Commando ltr to CG 1stMarDiv, 30 Nov 50; 1stTkBn
_SAR_, 23–27; Smith, _Notes_, 859–868; Maj C. L. Sitter
ltr to Col T. L. Ridge, 4 Oct 55; TSgt G. D. Pendas
ltr to HistBr G-3, 18 Dec 55; Narrative of Capt M. J.
Capraro, 2 Feb 56; Narrative of Capt J. D. Buck, 27 Jan
56; LtCol D. B. Drysdale, RM, “41 Commando,” _Marine
Corps Gazette_, xxxvii no. 8 (Aug 51), 28–32; 1stMar
tel to G-3 1stMarDiv, 1705 29 Nov 50; and Lt Alfred J.
Catania, “Truck Platoon in Korea,” in Westover, _Combat
Support in Korea_, 53–57; LtCol D. B. Drysdale, RM,
Comments, n. d.
The first hill was taken without meeting serious resistance, but Sitter
came up against well entrenched CCF troops when he attacked Hill 1236,
about a mile and a half north of Koto-ri. It was nip and tuck until
Master Sergeant Rocco A. Zullo fired his 3.5 rocket launcher at a
range of 200 yards. Several rounds brought the Chinese out of their
holes and the Marines took possession of the hill.
[Illustration: ATTEMPTS TO REINFORCE HAGARU
28 November-1 December
MAP-20
]
The Commandos and George Company moved up about a mile astride of the
road toward the third objective, Hill 1182. There the enemy resisted
strenuously with well-placed mortar as well as machine-gun fire from
strong positions on the high ground. The impetus of the attack had been
stopped when Sitter received orders from the task force commander to
break off action, withdraw to the road, and await new instructions.
Drysdale had received a message from RCT-1 at 1130 advising him that
the armor of Company D (less 2d platoon), 1st Tank Battalion, would be
available to him at 1300. He decided to wait, therefore, and re-form
the column before continuing the advance.
The two platoons of Company D tanks, reinforced by the tank platoon
of the AT Company, RCT-5, reached Koto-ri at noon after moving out
that morning from Majon-dong. Company B, 1st Tank Battalion, departed
Tongjong-ni, just south of Majon-dong, but did not arrive at Koto-ri
until 1500. The 2d Platoon being attached to Sutter’s battalion, the
remainder of the company was directed to bring up the rear of the Task
Force Drysdale, which by that time had renewed its attack. Thus the
convoy was made up of the following components, including the elements
which joined in the late afternoon of 29 November:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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