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
Typical of these operations was the raid staged on 16 October by
elements of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, (Lieutenant Colonel James
G. Kelly) supported by tanks, air, artillery, and engineers. Captain
John R. McMahon’s Charlie Company was the principal unit involved. The
Marine column had as its objective an NKPA strong point overlooking the
village of Changhang (Map 2) on the east and the flats on both sides of
the Soyang-gang to the south and southwest. Captain McMahon’s mission
was “to reduce all fortifications and installations ...” [and] “...
to seize, occupy and hold ground until the area was thoroughly mined,
booby-trapped and infested with trip flares.”[316]
[316] This account of the raid is derived from the 1/7 _HD_,
Oct 51, and the 1stMarDiv _HD_, Oct 51, 7.
A small-scale battle flared up for a few minutes as the enemy put up a
stiff resistance with artillery, mortar, and automatic weapons fire.
Superior Marine firepower soon prevailed, and at 1540 the attackers
reached their objective. During the next hour and 20 minutes enemy
installations were destroyed and the strong point rendered untenable by
mines and booby traps. The Marines withdrew at 1700 after sustaining
casualties of 3 KIA and 18 WIA. Enemy losses were 35 counted KIA.
The next day a reinforced KMC company, supported by tanks, air,
artillery, and engineers made a similar raid on enemy positions about
875 yards northwest of Hill 751 and 1,500 yards south of Hill 1052 (Map
20). Twenty-five NKPA bunkers were destroyed with losses to the enemy
of 15 counted KIA, 3 prisoners, and 5 captured machine guns.[317]
[317] 1stMarDiv _HD_, Oct 51, 7–8.
On 21 October the front of the 1st Marine Division was reduced a mile
when elements of the 3d ROK Division relieved the 2d KMC Battalion on
the Marine left flank in accordance with instructions of X Corps. Six
infantry battalions now manned an MLR of 12¼ miles.
A strong enemy position, menacing the forward elements, had developed
to the north of the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines’ sector. Three days
of reconnaissance and detailed preparation preceded the destructive
raid carried out on 30 October. Captain George E. Lawrence’s Charlie
Company, reinforced with heavy machine guns, was held up by NKPA
resistance in estimated company strength. The Marines fought their
way up a ridgeline, throwing white phosphorus grenades into enemy
bunkers. Pinned down momentarily by NKPA mortar and small-arms fire,
they reached a defiladed position and withdrew under cover of Marine
artillery, air, mortars, and heavy machine guns. At a cost of only one
WIA, the raiders inflicted 65 counted KIA casualties on the enemy and
destroyed an estimated 40 NKPA bunkers.[318]
[318] 1/1 _HD_, Oct 51, 16; 1stMarDiv _HD_, Oct 51, 7.
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