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
As late as 9 December it had been General Smith’s understanding
that the 1st Marine Division would occupy a defensive sector south
and southwest of Hungnam. Then Colonel McAllister at Hungnam was
notified by X Corps that plans for the defense of the Hungnam area
had been changed, so that the Marines were to embark immediately for
redeployment by water to South Korea. General Smith was informed on the
10th, and so promptly was the new plan put into effect that the first
Marine units were already loading out before the last elements of the
Division arrived at Hungnam.[630]
[630] The Division Embarkation Section began revision of
its standby embarkation order on 10 December and the
following day was able to issue Embarkation Order 3-50.
EmbO memo to HistO, subj: Historical Diary, 19 Dec 50.
No changes were necessary in the plans for the reception of Marine
units in the Hungnam area worked out by Colonel Snedeker and Colonel
McAllister on orders of General Smith. On 8 December, Snedeker had
issued detailed instructions which designated defensive sectors for
RCT-1 at Chigyong and for RCT-5 and RCT-7 in the vicinity of Yonpo
Airfield. The 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion was charged with making
such preparations to receive the returning troops as putting up tents,
installing stoves, erecting heads and equipping galleys.[631]
[631] Smith, _Notes_, 1065–1066, 1119; 1stMarDiv memo: “Plan
for receiving 1stMarDiv Units, Hamhung-Hungnam area,”
0800 8 Dec 50.
The Navy, as usual, was ready. On 15 November, it may be recalled,
General Smith had candidly expressed his misgivings about the strategic
outlook to Admiral Morehouse and Captain Sears. Morehouse was chief of
staff to Admiral Joy, ComNavFE, and Sears served in a like capacity
under Admiral Doyle, CTF-90. This frank discussion had not fallen
upon deaf ears; and on the 28th, only a few hours after the first CCF
attacks at Yudam-ni, ComNavFE alerted CTF-90 as to the possible need
for a redeployment operation by sea. The following day Joy advised that
events in the Chosin Reservoir area made it desirable for ships of
TF-90 to be on six hours’ notice either in Korean waters or at Sasebo,
Japan.[632]
[632] Except when otherwise noted, the remainder of this
section is based on the following sources: ComPhibGruOne,
_Action Report, Hungnam_, 1–2, 4–6; Forney _Special
Report_, 5–7; X Corps, _OpnO_ 9, 5 Dec 50; X Corps,
_Special Report on Hungnam Evacuation_, 2–3; X Corps _OI
27_, 9 Dec 50; Gen L. C. Shepherd, Jr., ltr to MajGen E.
W. Snedeker, 25 Oct 56.
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