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
Between the time of CLAMBAKE and CHARLIE a series of Marine and enemy
small units actions erupted which were soon to become a way of life
for the MLR combatants. By sporadic outpost attacks and increasing
their use of artillery, the Chinese were beginning to demonstrate a
more aggressive attitude than in recent months. On the night of 12–13
February, a CCF platoon supported by mortars and artillery probed
COP Hedy (Hill 124), in the right battalion of the center regimental
sector, held by Lieutenant Colonel Barrett’s 3/7. On the next night,
it was the Korean Marines who turned aggressor. Two of their platoons
raided Hill 240, on the west bank of the Sachon, nearly three miles
north of the mouth of the river. The following night, a 7th Marines
patrol moving into ambush positions was itself stalked by a large CCF
patrol. When reinforcements, including armored vehicles, moved out from
the MLR to support the Marines, the Chinese hastily withdrew.
Three more contacts were made before the end of the month along the
division front. On 19 February CCF soldiers, in two-platoon strength,
engaged KMC sentries forward of COP 33, located about a mile east of
the action the previous week. After the initial exchange of small arms
fire, the Koreans moved back to the outpost and called down supporting
fires on the Chinese. Artillery and mortars tore into the attackers
causing numerous casualties and forcing the enemy to withdraw. On the
morning of 22 February, a raiding party from the 5th Marines assaulted
a smaller enemy force at Hill 35A, approximately 1,300 yards southwest
of the Ungok hills. In this second raid staged by the 5th Marines that
month, assault troops (H/3/5) used flamethrowers in the early stages of
the action to help clear enemy trenches of hostile grenade throwers.
Late the next night a 7th Marines unit, consisting of a reinforced
platoon and four M-46 tanks, set out to raid Yoke, located near the
peace corridor five miles north of Freedom Bridge. The assault against
that position never came off. At 2137 as the B/1/7 platoon moved into
preliminary positions on Hill 90, north of the ultimate objective, a
Chinese company ambushed the patrol from three sides. When the Marines
closed with the enemy in hand-to-hand fighting, a support platoon was
sent from the MLR. After an intense 30 minute fire fight, the CCF began
withdrawing at 0138. Enemy losses were listed as 45 counted KIA, 33
estimated KIA, and 35 estimated WIA. As a result of the assault, orders
for the 7th Marines raid on Yoke were cancelled. Marine casualties
numbered 5 killed, 22 wounded.
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