U.S. Marine Operations in Korea, 1950-1953, Volume 5 (of 5): Operations in West KoreaUnited States. Marine Corps
History
U.S. Marine Operations in Korea, 1950-1953, Volume 5 (of 5): Operations in West Korea
United States. Marine Corps
Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Campaigns; United States. Marine Corps -- History -- Korean War, 1950-1953
On occasion 1st Division Marines found evidence that the enemy
had infiltrated their lines. It appeared the most likely spot for
line-crossers to make their way into the Marine rear area was from the
far bank of the Imjin between the Sachon and Han Rivers where the enemy
MLR was only a short distance from the sector held by the 1st Amphibian
Tractor Battalion. Two enemy agents “armed with pistols of German
manufacture, six hand grenades, and one set of field glasses”[162] had
been apprehended here by a Marine reconnaissance company patrol. The
prisoners had stated they were “part of a force of one thousand men
who were infiltrating to form a guerrilla force somewhere in South
Korea.”[163] Six days later, after a brief fire fight between a small
group of Chinese and a Marine outpost in the center of the division
sector, the defenders discovered that two of the three enemy dead wore
under their own clothing various articles of Marine uniforms. Neither
of the Chinese had identification or any papers whatsoever. It was
believed that both were enemy agents and that the attack on the outpost
was a diversion “for the express purpose of detracting attention from
infiltrators.”[164]
[162] HqBn, 1stMarDiv ComdD, May 52, p. 27.
[163] _Ibid._
[164] 1stMarDiv ComdD, Jun 52, p. 5.
Even though enemy tactics and attempts to penetrate Marine positions
demonstrated a good deal of soldierly skills, his conduct of defensive
operations was nothing short of masterful. This was especially true of
Chinese construction of underground earthworks. It appeared that the
Chinese had no single pattern for this type of field fortification.
Like the Japanese in World War II, the Chinese Communists were experts
in organizing the ground thoroughly and in utilizing a seemingly
inexhaustible supply of manpower to hollow out tunnels, air-raid
shelters, living quarters, storage spaces, and mess halls. Americans
described the Chinese as industrious diggers,[165] who excavated
quickly and deeply for protection against UN bombardments. From
numerous reports of ground clashes in the 1st Marine Division sector
and from observations made by Marine pilots, it became known that the
enemy was quick to seek cover whenever he was exposed to sustained
artillery bombardment or air attack.
[165] “The Chinese attack by ‘shovel’ proved effective and
difficult to combat. They burrowed forward almost
continuously, even under direct observation. Every foot
of advance provided added opportunity to attack Marine
COPs with greater impunity. While this activity possibly
provided Marines with target practice in both small arms
and mortars, these CCF working parties in a narrow trench
7 to 10-feet deep probably took very few casualties.” Col
William R. Watson, Jr. ltr to Hd, HistBr, G-3 Div, HQMC,
dtd 18 July 67.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account