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
After the early May change of lines, the Chinese lost little time
in testing the new UNC defenses. Shortly after 0200 on 15 May, the
CCF directed a two-battalion probe on the Carson-Elko-Vegas trio and
the Berlin-East Berlin outposts newly held by the Turkish brigade.
Supported by heavy concentrations of mortar and artillery, one
battalion of enemy soldiers moved against each of the two major defense
complexes. Marine Company C tanks, occupying the firing slots that
night, accounted for heavy enemy losses in the action, estimated at
200 CCF killed and 100 wounded. Assisting the TAFC Field Artillery
Battalion in throwing back the attack were 1/11, 2/11, and 4/11 which
sent 3,640 rounds into the sharp four-hour engagement.
The TAFC defense was further reinforced later that day with 21 air
strikes against hostile personnel and weapons positions north of the
Turkish sector. Adding their weight to the clash, 3/11 and the rocket
battery also brought their guns into action, for a combined 5,526
Marine rounds[428] dispatched against the enemy.
[428] Total ammunition expenditure by the 11th Marines and the
25th Division artillery batteries was 11,527 rounds,
to the Chinese output of approximately 10,000 rounds.
11thMarDiv ComdD, May 53, p. 13.
It was not until 25 May, after the UNC had made its final offer at the
truce talks, however, that CCF artillery really began to open up on
the Nevada complex. The increased activity by hostile pieces, during
the 25–27 May period, was duly noted by the artillery Marines who
laconically reported, “Operations followed the recent pattern: enemy
shelling of the Turkish Brigade increased during the afternoon; no
contacts were reported.”[429]
[429] 11thMar ComdD, May 53, dtd 27 May, p. 19.
This latter situation changed abruptly on 28 May. Beginning at 1800,
major elements of the Chinese 120th Division launched simultaneous
attacks over 17,500 yards of I Corps front that stretched from COP-2
eastward to that consistent trouble-spot, the Nevada Cities, on to
the Berlins, and finally the Hook area in the adjacent Commonwealth
Division sector. Supported by heavy artillery fires, one CCF battalion
moved in towards Carson and Elko. Another battalion,[430] under cover
of smoke, attacked central COP Vegas, while a third struck Berlin and
East Berlin on the right flank. Three hours after the initial attack,
defenders at Carson and Elko were engaged in hand-to-hand combat with
the Chinese.
[430] Some historians indicate that the 120th Division
initially sent four battalions forward in the action,
with two against the main objective, Vegas. Hermes,
_Truce Tent_, p. 463.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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