U.S. Marine Operations in Korea, 1950-1953, Volume 4 (of 5): The East-Central FrontMontross, Lynn
History
U.S. Marine Operations in Korea, 1950-1953, Volume 4 (of 5): The East-Central Front
Montross, Lynn
Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Campaigns; United States. Marine Corps -- History -- Korean War, 1950-1953
This action completed the battle for Corps Objective YOKE. At 1800 on
3 September, the 1st Marine Division was in full possession of the
HAYS Line, dominating the entire northern rim of the Punchbowl (Map
18). Reports from the U.S. 2d Infantry Division and 5th ROK Division,
attacking in sectors to the west, indicated that the pressure exerted
by the Marines was assisting these units. Large gains had been made on
the west side of the Punchbowl against comparatively light resistance.
On 4 September, with all objectives consolidated, 1st Marine Division
units patrolled northward from defensive positions. Plans were being
formed for the second phase of the Division attack--the advance to
seize the next series of commanding ridgelines, 4,000 to 7,000 yards
forward of the present MLR.
The victory in the four-day battle had not been bought cheaply. A total
of 109 Marine KIA and 494 WIA (including KMCs) was reported. NKPA
casualties for the period were 656 counted KIA and 40 prisoners.
As evidence that the enemy had profited by the breathing spell during
the Kaesong truce talks, it was estimated that NKPA artillery fire in
the Punchbowl sector almost equalled the firepower provided by the
organic Marine artillery and the guns of attached U.S. Army units. NKPA
strength in mortars and machine guns also compared favorably with that
of Marines.
_Supply Problems Cause Delay_
Logistical shortages made it necessary for the 1st Marine Division to
call a six-day halt and build up a new reserve of artillery and mortar
ammunition.
During the first phase of the Division attack, the main burden of
transport and supply had fallen upon three Marine units--the 1st
Ordnance Battalion (Major Harold C. Borth), the 1st Motor Transport
Battalion (Lieutenant Colonel Howard E. Wertman), and the 7th
Motor Transport Battalion (Lieutenant Colonel Carl J. Cagle). The
extraordinary expenditure of artillery shells for these four days posed
a resupply problem that was aggravated by an almost impassable supply
route. The three Marine battalions had to strain every resource to meet
minimal requirements.
Ammunition Supply Point (ASP) 60-B, a U.S. Army installation manned
by elements of the Marine 1st Ordnance Battalion, was located about
five miles behind the gun positions. From this dump it was 48 miles
to Hongchon, the source of supplies for ASP 60-B. A well maintained,
two-lane dirt road led from that base to Inje, but northward it
deteriorated into a narrow, twisting trail following the Soyang valley.
Recent rains, resulting in earth slides and mudholes, had reduced the
road to such a condition that the round trip between ASP 60-B and
Hongchon took 25 hours.[273]
[273] 1stMarDiv _HD_, Sep 51, 4, 7.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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