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
When the M-46 gun tanks were in position to fire on Siberia and its
flanks, their powerful 90s opened up on the objective. At this time,
2110, the first section of flames (two tanks) made its way along the
stream bed between the MLR and Hill 56A (Samoa). Lighting their way
with very short bursts of flame, the two tanks advanced in this manner
to the base of Hill 58A. There the vehicles paused momentarily, then
began to move up the near slope, using longer spurts of flame to sear
the ground and sparse vegetation to the crest of the position. The gun
tanks, in the meantime, had shifted their fire from Siberia northeast
to neutralize Hill 110. When the flame vehicles reached the top of
Siberia, they lumbered down the far slope, firing then in shorter
bursts and sweeping the area with machine guns to discourage any enemy
infantry interference.
With some fuel reserved to light their way on the return trip, the
flame section reversed its course from the far side of the objective,
mounted the crest, and clanked back to the Changdan Road. When the
first section had returned, the second departed, completing its mission
in much the same manner. Tank personnel of both groups observed that
the enemy artillery and mortar fire was medium to heavy on Siberia.
Some rifle fire was also received. Gun tanks, firing from Changdan Road
east of Siberia, experienced less fire from the Chinese.
Although the flame vehicles had completed their mission and were on
their way home, the M-46s remained on position in support of the 3d
Platoon, Company D which, at 2230, was advancing from the MLR to
complete the infantry part of the diversion. Staying out of the low
ground that the tanks had used, the platoon swept over Hill 56A at 2255
and immediately struck out for the further objective, Hill 58A. Gun
tanks firing their 90s on the Chinese OPLR on Hill 110 and on Siberia
illuminated the target area with their fighting lights, the shutter
of which the tankers flicked open and closed during each five-second
interval that the light remained on.
Less than an hour after crossing JAMESTOWN, the platoon from Captain
George W. Campbell’s Company D reported the capture of Siberia. The
enemy quickly made his presence felt at the objective; a half hour
before midnight, he assaulted the hill in reinforced platoon strength.
Ten minutes later the Chinese withdrew and the Company D Marines, in
accordance with their battle plan, did likewise. At about the same
time the 5th Marines, having completed its part in the diversion, also
secured from the operation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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