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 attack by Company H had been well supported from the air. At
0840, a flight of four ADs from Lieutenant Colonel Cargill’s VMA-121
assaulted the former Marine COP Seattle, where enemy reinforcements
were being funneled through on the way to the Hook. Bombs and napalm
took a heavy toll of the troops, bunkers, and weapons pouring fire on
the counterattacking Marines. One hour later, a division (four planes)
from VMA-323 struck another trouble spot, a former Marine outpost known
as Irene (later, Rome). Aircraft of Lieutenant Colonel Chamberlain’s
squadron hit this objective with three tons of bombs and more than
4,000 pounds of burning napalm. Thirty minutes later, another foursome,
these from VMA-212, (Lieutenant Colonel Charles E. Dobson, Jr.),[284]
delivered bombs, napalm, and 20mm shells on enemy soldiers moving on
the MSR towards JAMESTOWN.
[284] The new squadron commander had relieved Lieutenant
Colonel Maurice Fletcher two days earlier. This flight
was the first of two CAS attacks in behalf of the Hook
forces that the new commanding officer participated in
that day.
While these three squadrons were bombing enemy strongpoints and other
targets of opportunity, division artillery and tanks continued their
destructive fire missions. Between 0930 and 1300, two tanks from
Company A, 1st Tank Battalion, blasted away at Chinese bunkers and
trenches, at an enemy 76mm gun on Seattle, and at positions southwest
of the Hook. Artillery--2/11, 4/11, and the rocket battery--contributed
the weight of its support. The 11th Marines, in an effort to stop the
heavy hostile shelling of the Hook sector, fired 60 counterbattery
missions on Chinese gun emplacements during the first 24 hours of the
attack.
In the early afternoon of the 27th, 1st MAW attack squadrons continued
their bombing and strafing of enemy troops engaged in the assault
against the Hook. Before sundown, 30 aircraft had taken part in 8
additional strikes in support of Marine counterattacks along the ridge.
The number of aircraft involved in close air support sorties for the
Hook was approximately half the number received by the division all
day. Of the 72 aircraft flying CAS strikes during the first 24 hours of
the Hook action, 67 were Marine planes, all from MAG-12.
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