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
[287] As a part of the reorganization, H/3/1 remained in the
right sector, and Company C, of the Hook battalion,
filled in the middle. Company A was in position on the
friendly side of that part of the ridge held by Captain
Byrum’s Company C. During the afternoon of the 28th,
I/3/1 and H/3/7 also left Lieutenant Colonel Dulacki’s
area to rejoin their parent organizations.
_Overview_[288]
[288] Unless otherwise noted, the material in this section is
derived from: 1stMarDiv ComdD, Oct 52; 1stMarDiv PIRs
734–735, 741, dtd 29–30 Oct 52, 5 Nov. 52.
In evaluating the battle for the Hook, it would appear that the Chinese
assault against Reno was merely a demonstration or feint. By making a
sizable effort near the primary objective after the attack there was
well under way, the Communists expected not to obscure the real target
but rather to cause the Marines to hesitate in moving higher echelon
reserves to influence the action at the Hook. It was to the credit of
the ambush force that the Chinese ruse was unsuccessful.
Including losses from the Reno ambush, Marines estimated that the
Chinese actions against that outpost cost the enemy 38 killed and 51
wounded. The COP defenders and the platoon that had surprised the enemy
counted 22 dead Communist soldiers during and after the Reno action.
Together with the Hook casualties, confirmed at 274 killed and 73
wounded and estimated at 494 killed and 370 wounded,[289] the figure
represented more than a third of an enemy battalion permanently lost in
addition to about a battalion and a half put out of action temporarily.
Distributed among the number of battalions that participated in the two
actions, the total number of casualties lost some impact. What remains
significant, however, are the cost and results--369 counted and 953
estimated casualties for not one inch of ground.
[289] The CCF casualty figures were derived from a comparison
of reports of participating Marine battalions, the 7th
Marines, and division. In addition to these losses caused
by Marine infantry units were enemy casualties listed
by the artillery and tank battalion command diaries and
records of participating air squadrons; these supporting
arms figures amount to 468 casualties, more than
one-third the total number.
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