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 23 March, a Chinese Communist regiment attempted to capture three
outposts manned by the U.S. 7th Division, at the far right of the
I Corps line. Hills 225 (Pork Chop Hill) and 191 held. The enemy’s
main effort was against Hill 266 (Old Baldy), defended by units of
the division’s Colombian battalion. One attack carried the position,
despite company strength reinforcements of the original defenders. Two
strong UN counterattacks the next day to retake the outpost failed,
and the Chinese retained the crest of Old Baldy. Although the CCF had
gained their objective in Hill 266, the battles on the three hillocks
had cost the enemy 750 casualties, according to 7th Division records.
In one respect, the nature and extent of ground operations affected the
type of air activity over North and South Korea during the winter of
1952–1953. Introduction of PRESSURE strategy, which had embodied the
policy of the Far East Air Forces since mid-1952, brought more aircraft
in close support of Eighth Army ground troops, a change that pleased
the corps commanders. When the heavy outpost fighting throughout
October diminished to only occasional skirmishes in November, there
was temporarily a decreased need for large numbers of CAS sorties.
As a result more planes became available for PRESSURE attacks. These
strikes at first appeared to be reverting to the previous STRANGLE
strategy since railroads were often the targets. But interdiction
of the transportation system was only part of the PRESSURE aerial
concept which also called for striking enemy production, repair, and
storage facilities. The Allied strategy in conducting its air offensive
remained the same: to make the bombing hurt the Communists so that they
would end their deliberate delaying tactics in the truce sessions and
join the UNC in effecting a Korean settlement.
During the winter FEAF maintained a steady air pressure against the
Communists. Major raids were made from time to time, but the number of
strategic targets was gradually disappearing due to repeated UNC air
attacks. Further, much of the enemy logistical net had gone so deeply
underground during the prolonged stalemate that UN bombing and rocket
attacks were having only a limited destructive effect. The U.S. B-29s,
which had carried the fight to the enemy since the first week of the
Korean conflict, found their last worthwhile objectives in stockpiles
hidden in North Korean towns and villages. For the Fifth Air Force
fighters there was little opportunity to increase their skill in
air-to-air combat, since the Communist fliers continued to take evasive
action and avoid “dogfights.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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