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
[61] One artillery weapon, in particular, as well as the
Marine tanks habitually drew the fury of Chinese
counterfire. The heavy destructive power of the U.S. Army
8-inch, self-propelled howitzers firing on tough Chinese
defensive positions, generally brought down on their own
emplacements a rain of enemy shells, so sensitive were
enemy commanders to these hard-hitting weapons. _Pala
comments._
[62] _PacFlt EvalRpt_ No. 4, Chap. 9, p. 9-39.
[63] BGen Frederick P. Henderson ltr to CMC, dtd 6 Sep 66,
hereafter _Henderson ltr II_.
In April 1952, the 11th Marines organization had three light 105mm
howitzer battalions (54 guns), one medium 155mm howitzer battalion (12
guns), the KMC 105mm howitzer battalion (18 pieces), and a 4.5-inch
rocket battery (6 launchers). Attached to the 1st Marine Division and
located in its sector were one battalion and one battery of the I Corps
field artillery. The mission of the Marine artillery regiment was to
provide accurate and timely fires in support of both the MLR and OPLR
defenses, until withdrawal of the latter late in April. Batteries
of the 11th Marines also fired on known and suspected Chinese gun
emplacements and on targets of opportunity. The regiment also provided
intelligence on enemy artillery.
Throughout April, Colonel Henderson’s units continued to improve
their tactical and administrative areas, concentrating on field
fortifications, wire communications, and road trafficability. In the
last category, the artillery dozers and dump trucks not only did
nearly all of this work for the 11th Marines but also provided “a fair
amount of ‘direct support’ bulldozing to the infantry regiments and
occasionally loaned dozers and operators to the engineers.”[64]
[64] _Ibid._
Within a Marine aircraft wing, personnel and equipment for logistic
support are purposely limited to carrying out the wing primary
mission--providing air support during an amphibious operation. The wing
T/O (Table of Organization) provides a streamlined organization with
light, transportable organic equipment. Additional logistical support
personnel and equipment are not included since this would result in (1)
a duplication of support effort between the wing and landing force
and (2) a great increase in wing transport shipping requirements. When
the wing moves ashore, organic units render support necessary for
operations on the airfield only. Responsibility for activities beyond
this basic mission--airfield construction, maintenance of runways,
and movement of supplies to the airfield--must come from more senior
commands. Usually such assistance is obtained by attaching elements of
a naval construction battalion and other logistical support units.
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