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
During the rest of the day, gunners of the 11th Marines continued their
fire missions despite reduced visibility that hindered surveillance
by the OY spotting planes and forward observers. Only 42 Chinese were
sighted during the daytime, although shortly before dusk a CCF group
reportedly heading toward the Berlins area southwest from Frisco was
taken under fire. Estimates of enemy incoming throughout the 7–8 July
action from 17-odd battalions of Chinese artillery dug in across the
division sector was placed at 19,000 rounds of all types. Marine and
Army-controlled battalions, for their part, pounded Chinese strongholds
with a total of 20,178 rounds.
That night Colonel Funk authorized a 3d Battalion platoon to bolster
the MLR. Five tanks were also ordered to locate in the Hill 126 area,
the Marine high-ground terrain feature to the rear of the frontlines.
This foresight was well rewarded. During the late evening hours strange
motor noises “sounding like a convoy pulling in and then back out
again”[492] floated over the Korean hills and the tanks immediately
swept suspected hostile installations with their 90mm guns. Later that
night of 8–9 July, the Chinese suddenly renewed their probing efforts
at the battered Marine outposts. Moving in from Vegas, an estimated
reinforced enemy company attacked Berlin at 0104, then brushed on
to East Berlin. An intense fire fight ensued off and on for nearly
two hours at the two posts. Marine 81mm and 4.2-inch mortars, plus
artillery illumination, boxing fires, and tanks blunted the assaults.
At 0315 the enemy broke contact and action quieted down at both
locations.
[492] 1stMarDiv G-3 Jnl, dtd 9 Jul 53.
Throughout the rest of the day, eight Company C[493] armored vehicles
assisted the infantrymen in consolidation of positions. A total of 25
rounds of shells and 19,140 rounds of .30 and .50 caliber machine gun
bullets were expended on CCF strongpoints and troops during a 24-hour
firing period that ended at 1700.
[493] On 9 July Company C relieved Company B on the MLR in
support of the 7th Marines. Both tank companies had been
in action with the TAFC during the entire 60-day period
the division was in I Corps reserve. Due to the rotation
system, however, Baker Company had been on line longer
and transferred to the rear ranks for a “much needed rest
and rehabilitation.” 1st TkBn ComdD, Jul 53, p. 3.
Because of the casualties at Berlin, an H/3/7 reinforcement squad was
sent to augment the Marine force there. Losses suffered by the 7th
Marines for the two successive nights were 9 killed, 12 missing,[494]
126 wounded and evacuated, and 14 with minor wounds. The cost to the
CCF was 30 known dead, and an estimated 200 killed and 400 wounded.
[494] Later it was determined that only two were actually
captured and they were subsequently repatriated.
MacDonald, _POW_, p. 211.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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