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
R4Ds of the 1st MAW, flying under Wing operational control, were
represented in the flights to and from Hagaru as well as the C-47s
of the Combat Cargo Command, FEAF.[542] The large-scale casualty
evacuation was completed without losing a man, even though the aircraft
landing on the rough strip careened precariously as they bounced along
the frozen runway. Only two planes could be accommodated simultaneously
at first, but Marine engineers widened the 2900-foot strip until six
planes could be parked at a time.
[542] Maj Paul A. Noel, Jr. interv, 4 Dec 56.
A four-engine Navy R5D made a successful landing with stretchers flown
in from Japan. After taking off with a load of wounded, the pilot
barely cleared the surrounding hills, and it was decided to risk no
further evacuations with such large aircraft. Two crash landings marred
operations on the field. An incoming Marine R4D, heavily loaded with
artillery ammunition, wiped out its landing gear on the rough surface
and was abandoned after its load had been put to good use by the
gunners. A second accident involved an Air Force C-47 which lost power
on the take off and came down just outside the Marine lines without
injury to its load of casualties. Troops from the perimeter were
rushed out immediately to rescue its occupants but the plane had to be
destroyed.[543]
[543] _Ibid._, Smith, _Notes_, 998–999.
Not until long later were final official casualty reports rendered for
the period of the Yudam-ni regroupment and breakout. Regimental figures
are not available, and the totals included the losses suffered by the
troops at Hagaru during the night of 30 November-1 December. Following
are the figures for the 1st Marine Division as a whole throughout this
five-day period:
---------+-----+-----+-----+-----+--------+--------------
| | | | | Total |
| KIA | DOW | MIA | WIA | Battle | Non-Battle[B]
---------+-----+-----+-----+-----+--------+--------------
30 Nov | 27 | 6 | 6 | 183 | 222 | 102
1 Dec | 27 | 14 | 6 | 111 | 158 | 134
2 Dec | 55 | 2 | 33 | 231 | 321 | 180
3 Dec | 16 | 1 | 6 | 194 | 217 | 196
4 Dec | 10 | 6 | 4 | 202 | 222 | 582
---------+-----+-----+-----+-----+--------+--------------
Totals | 135 | 29 | 55 | 921 | 1140 | 1194
---------+-----+-----+-----+-----+--------+--------------
[B] 1stMarDiv _SAR_, annex E (Division Adjutant), appendix
II, 3.
_537 Replacements Flown to Hagaru_
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