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
The Korean Marines, holding down the western flank of the three
mainland regimental sectors in the 1st Marine Division line, also
received a share of the enemy’s attention. At dusk on 5 September,
Chinese barrages began to smash Outpost 37,[219] the first of a trio
of positions that would merit hostile attention for the next 22 hours.
Throughout the following day the Chinese continued their mortar
and artillery fire against Outposts 37 and 36, and the regimental
observation post located on Hill 155 (also called Hill 167) to the rear
of the MLR. (See Map 13.) The heaviest enemy fire was directed against
OP 36, a small rise in the low land terrain midway between the Sachon
River, on the west and the Munsan-ni-Kaesong rail line, 600 yards to
the east.
[219] Contemporary records of the 1st KMC Regiment for
1952–1953 identify this as Outpost 37. Current reviewer
comments refer to this hill as OP 67. LtCol Kim Yong Kyu,
ROKMC, ltr to CMC, HQMC, dtd 5 Jul 67.
At 1605 a 50-round barrage struck OP 36. After this harassing fire
there was a lull until 1810 when Chinese artillery and mortars again
resumed a steady pounding of the three positions. One hour later enemy
soldiers hit both outposts. Twice the attacking company assaulted OP 37
but neither effort represented, in the view of the defenders, a serious
attempt at capture. Less than a mile south at OP 36, however, the enemy
motive appeared to be quite different.
Crossing the Sachon just north of the Freedom Gate Bridge (also known
as the highway bridge), the Communist infantry moved to assault
positions on the west, north, and northeast sides of the outpost. At
1910, the Chinese began their first rush. It was repulsed, as was a
second one. Another artillery barrage, joined this time by tank fire,
preceded the third attempt. At this point communications went out at
the besieged outpost. At 2150, a squad leader from OP 36 reached the
10th Company CP to report that his position had fallen. In 30 minutes a
communications link was reestablished with the outpost. The defending
Koreans reported that although enemy troops had overrun much of the
hill, they had subsequently withdrawn, apparently because their losses
had been so heavy.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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