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
In early June the recently appointed UN commander, General Clark, made
his first visit to the 1st Marine Division front. During his briefing,
General Selden reviewed the unusual combat difficulties confronting his
Marines. In addition to the unfavorable terrain, the division commander
noted the special operational restrictions caused by proximity to the
truce talk site. Presence of a large number of uncharted minefields
created another obstacle. Herculean efforts were required of the
Marines to simultaneously man and construct defenses over 35 miles of
JAMESTOWN. Adding to Marine problems were the facts that ground units
were not receiving sufficient close air support and the capabilities
of the Chinese were constantly increasing.
Chinese order of battle (OOB) information was fed into the division
intelligence network by higher commands, I Corps and EUSAK, and
adjacent units, but a large part of the data about Communist forces
was produced by the division itself. Frontline units in contact with
the enemy, by observation of his activities, supplied the bulk of
intelligence about enemy defense tactics, employment of weapons, and
combat characteristics. Supporting Marine division units, particularly
artillery and armor, fed more facts into the system, mostly through
identification of the caliber of enemy shells fired at the Marines. As
a result of its missions forward of the line and actions in defense
of it, the division reconnaissance company also contributed to the
intelligence network. Individual Marines, performing as tactical air
observers and artillery air observers, as well as the VMO and HMR
pilots, were other important sources readily available to the 1st
Marine Division.
G-2 directed the division intelligence effort, including processing of
raw material and supplying of updated reports to 1st Division units.
The G-2 section also maintained OOB and target identification data
on Chinese units and their commanders. Members of the G-2 staff also
assisted in interrogation of prisoners of war (POWs), screened the
civilians apprehended in unauthorized areas, debriefed Marines exposed
to enemy intelligence, and conducted inspections of division internal
security. In areas where the 1st Marine Division had only a limited
intelligence capability it turned to EUSAK for assistance.
Eighth Army teams augmented the division counterintelligence efforts
and provided most of the translation service. In addition, three radio
intercept units furnished information to the Marines. The critical
importance of this service had been proven during several combat
patrols in May when additional information was instantly radioed to a
friendly unit under fire.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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