1ST MARINE DIVISION - SPECIAL ACTION REPORT - ANNEX BG-2 - OCTOBER 1950 - DECEMBER 1950 Korean War Korean War Project Record: USMC-5 CD: 01 United States Marine Corps History Division Quantico, Virginia Records: United States Marine Corps Unit Name: 1st Marine Division Depository: National Archives and Records Administration Location: College Park, Maryland Editor: Hal Barker Korean War Project P.O. Box 180190 Dallas, TX 75218-0190 http://www.koreanwar.org
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1ST MARINE DIVISION - SAR - ANNEX BG-2 - OCTOBER 1950 - DECEMBER 1950 · 2012-01-17 · 1ST MARINE DIVISION - SPECIAL ACTION REPORT - ANNEX BG-2 - OCTOBER 1950 - DECEMBER 1950 Korean
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1ST MARINE DIVISION - SPECIAL ACTION REPORT - ANNEX BG-2 - OCTOBER 1950 - DECEMBER 1950
Korean War
Korean War Project Record: USMC-5
CD: 01
United States Marine Corps History Division
Quantico, Virginia
Records: United States Marine Corps
Unit Name: 1st Marine Division
Depository: National Archives and Records Administration
S:Jccinl .t>.cti:;·n ':~cl)Crt for ·,:)or1oc~ £ Octcbcr to 15 December, 19~0.
(v.) Division. Gonorrl Ore· or No. 16
1 . . H'TROC:UC~ION
Tl1o folloW1!1o report is Sllbmi tto.o' .. in: coml)lir.ncc v11 th ref. {a), nne~ ~:>ortrftys.~ · --~l:J. -(:cnct'~-lJ the e.ctivitics of thc.Division G-2 .• Secticn from the ccr.mcncoment, on a October 195_0 1 . ·or--~pcrfl;-: tion~.1 p1c.nninr for· the nmphibious 1r.nc1in<: .!lt. ··lonsnn, Kcren, thrrJugh tho .subsequent Off on-' sivo opol"£1t1ons to 'the north~." f'.nct culr.tinE'.tos. ·ui tl1 the· ort erec, w1th<."1.rt:tWEIJ, frcm -the Choshln llcscrvcir l'.i'ca, anr:. thc;J .cnsulns cvacuv.tion of the Division from the port of HungnrJ:l, ~crc1·. on 13 Docombor '1.950. . . . · ·
~h.o 1mmcd1<~to purpose of this. report is ': ·. to rccorc1
1 :ror h1stor1cra.l :.oonsiC'.eratfo.ns, th0cc c,.f'.ily cpcrrti::onal·, act1vitios peculiur to e G-··:2 section cncnr:co. in combat opore.t1ona,. with purti-, culf'.r Ct:lp.hE'.Gis on those act.i:v1 tieR a a· t{loy re.lntc to the ri.cveloprr:cnt of .the e.nomy si tunt.ion throu(_hout th,e· perle~. cvvcred.
Tho OrcnnizE-.tion .of t~o a-.:..2 S.ebt,ion fer tho ltonsan-'HI1.rahcmg-Chosh1n Ra~r.rvOir oiJerr.- · tion followec1, in ,:,·encr!.'.l, that presci--lbcc"t. by· T/0 11 K11 'lr.r. Al thcuch a reassignment of · Division 1ntcllieence-lJcrsonnel, !3i'fee,tecl.-·e~· .. · a r.l'.ttcr of expecUency dllring th.e Inch()n - · : Seoul opere.tiOn, hncJ. left the B€lo.t1-.on som,ewhe.t
· bclo\1 r.uthorizoc T/O:st"renrth, it was"not felt thrct the section's eff1o1ericy had been·l,m:paired because of it, enrl. consciquontly no effort was mnt.o to fill the existinG vncano1es. for the opcretion unr.er cliscussion~ ~>Thile it would appee.:rt f:ron the abo'Ve, thr.t certtiln T/0 mod1ficct1ons flre desirable, defil}ite recommenc~atJ.ons as to the scope of these changes are not believcc"'. wnrre_nt.eC'. on tho be.sis of ac_tion to C.ate.
In adell t1on to those lkrine Coro.s -o'€ir.:3onnel organic by reason o·r ~/0 f'.uthorlzatlon~-·- 'thBre_ haC. been nttE'.chcc1. to the section, :.•\.JP the. In.,.. chon - SE'oi.U opc:ra tion, certain t•. S . ..-~nn:t 1-ntelli[cncc sp'ecialist tear.ts; the :.:.·.',1st Counterintellic;snce Corps. THtm, r.n{:_ tho 153rc1 :-H11 tc-.ry, Intellitccnco Service Detachment. ~hcs<? teems, oorr.~)oecc1. of G,S ... ~r!:ly oommi·ssioned MG. ·enliste~l. personnel, remained attached to the G-2 section,
ANNEX BAKER TO DIVISION SPECI,U, ·,._oTI!)i:
- 1 -
DECLASSIFIED
·w'
Korean War Project USMC-00101836DECLASSIFIED
\ .[ !!JJIM~U~~~2~!-~AKER TO DIVISIOP SFECI.lL ACTIO!! F.EFORT
e.nc~ along yi th certain ROK Army a!' fleers serving in a l~aison capacity, and on occasion as intcr:.Yrotcrs ·{Lnc1 transl~tors, roundcc,_ out the taek organize.t1on of the section for the 11onsan operation.
The ort:;nnizo.tion nnc1 personnel' o:r the· · G-2 sc'ction together with its 'attacherc units is shovn as Appen~ix I hereto~ . ·
3, fRELIMH'ARY ~L.\NNIPG.
In.telJ.i~·ence planning for the amphibious· ltm0.ing at ~Vonse.n, Korea was officially commenced on 8 October, 1850 upon receipt or· X Corps Operation Order No. ·:1: dated 4 Octobar 50. Inasmuch as SL1boi'dinatc units of tho Il1V1 sian· wcro scheduled to embark aboarO. •ship some time prior to 15 ' October 1950, 1t_-vw.s imm~C.iately Obvious the.t preliminary intelligcnco .planning with .its C'.ttcnc'"!.ant :proPlcms of :c-ollection,. :processing, E'.m'l. tistribution of information, ·and the procuremcr:t anr1 distr1but1pn of graphic a1c1s 1 woulcc be both 11r.~1tc0. anc1 sketchy. Fortunate-ly tho beech aM hy<l,~ograph1cc6nd1t1ons known to be cx1 et'm t in the proposed landing ~.rca, offered nono of the complications which proved so forr.1idablc to landing op,erat,i_o_ns on tho \lcstcrn coe.st. Fortunately,. also,. tho scctl.on hP.<.:~ been previously alerted on "the .projcctec1 OlJc>re.tion, e,nd while elements :of the Division
· Y1o'ro yet cngcged with the enemy nt Uijongbu, hnC. requested reproduction ·or some lOG copies of pertinent 3Xtracts of' the Jh.NIS (75) of' Korea. Thus it was.•hat on receiut of the X Corps OperBtion' ?rc1er collection 8rr0rts hac1 been set in motion, which, in spite of the time fnotors involved, would insur.c. that subo:rd1nE'te units woulc1 not· be wholly un,re);n<l'ccl. for the col'lin[' operation. )
Ey 10 October 195G the 1ntelligenc·c annex l"~E'.ci. been cornpletc(l, and h~tcl been. incoriJoratcd into Livision Ope:ration Orc1er 16··50 as"' Annex Bekcr thElreof.: · A-.lpenc11ces 1,2,.3,4,5 arid 6 conoietinr o:f the following: Estimat~ of 'the Enemy Situetion -·~arget List Enemy Inste.lla-tion- ~stronomical and Tidal Data·- Form for Intelligence S~~mary - Ccunterintell1ITonce -t.n<~ orc1 er of Battle North Korean· Army we>'e {_Ustributed sopurntely as prepe.red.. (All were reccivoc1 by subordine.t;e unit's priOr to embarke.tion).
(l.:aps in sce.1es of 1:50,000 and 1:25.0,000 were dintribut;ed during this perioC..:, but whereas the Division had been allottee 2,~00 copies of all mnp sheets for tr.e Inchon - Seoul· opcrn-'tlon, the E'.llotment for the i·Tonsa.n opore.tion hed boon rcCI.uccC'. to 1300 copies ... '\:"hile t:11s re-· c1uction l-Jork.eO. no imn:cC:.iate harc1sh1l_J on the Division, a more co::lplE;tG distribution 1mulcl. hc.vo boon preferred, 1n tr.nt; na a result of the ro-.. i.uction, the Division "'as depriVCd of" all but nJl. ox-
AI.f''LX E·.\KER ~0 '::IVISJON EPECIAL
- 2 -
DECLASSIFIED
Korean War Project USMC-00101837DECLASSIFIED
Thl.P."lf'.ttor· Of -~)hni(J('rnphic covc:rnt.'G iF' clisct~?[cc (l6C'.,rhf'rG 1n t:11e ropo.rt, S(t::"f1c 1, it to ?;··-:r~ 't•t thic ·,):)int, th;-:.t little: icDl'CV(_·:nr-nt F<'E' noted ov~~r the cob~1it1?ns CXistLJfr c~-'J.!'~.r.e.: tb.o plnnn1nc :chnsc o'f' ·thf'· Inchon lr.ri.Jinc. h.t -:;he rcoue::ot or ~~ Ooi))S ~-~,ho-. t,...ro photacrc·~h1c in-· tcrprctL:tion Offi_cC"rs, U)[_:othcr with tt..ro cn11st')d r"~s1ctnnts, "t<JcrG lor:.n-:::c, to tl1:-.t hcC'.Q~ut.n:;ers in Or\:i.cr to r.eslst in the l:.ccomp:i.1'shmen.t df thr nccossr.ry photo 1ntcrvrctfl.tior.. ... :ror thC: ~lonso.n lLncUng. (This m'oVc -~;_rOved c.xti>or:l~iy fc.vcrr.bl~ from the Divi_sion1o'·po1rit 'C?f vi ow ih1 the.t P._ P1lJG line uns thus est!'·.bl1ohod f:rpm '·rh,;::noe the G-2 s•Jctlon vl'.s P.blo, thrOu~·:h. its o~rn ··1:1t·i)ro:reters. tc c:~erciso sor.w voice .1~ the. ov.:.rull phot0E:rfl.:. phic ~1~fln f'or the· ?POrF>t1on~·)
Bv 13 October 193"0 the fnJ~n,.r1n::· int":'ll!t;cnco. rr:CJtcrlnl ileJ.d bc~n O.istl-ib~tt~c~""'to -suborC'1-nc.tr, .:.che:\.ofls: · ·
rt is ron<l.ily <pparcnt that tho ubovc mntor1e.l 1 though ad(;qUP.tc, 1orr.s t!'.I' fru:n the . norm of ~'iorld '.'lc:.r J:! opp:t"<''\·:tiona ,., How::·vor:, in e.ll fn1rnoss, ,it must be po1.ntoil out thc.t the above ves ucccrnplisho~. 1n a m1n~ .. llllJ!l· of ti.r.JO. · nno 1•1 thcut tho a1C1. of t., JICPOA.. .
?ho cor.lmcnconcnt of 0::.> r' tionE".J, p~!lnning founc'. tl:< c,ncmy sit u.r. tion n~rtn of ~ho: ;>;8th p!'.rE-.l1cl somn_rhnt o'bsr.l..l.rO. Tl:6. r~:.piCI.. Fh.i:ft of (.:DCr.ly Lmi ts to r(-:i.nforc::. t.b.; br..1:;tlo· ZO!'J.Z oouth of tho -pc:r1.\ll ol; th"' t
'I\F.i:!:~ EhK::H TO :JIVISIO!T SFECidL AC~IOl! !-\EF,..ORT''._ft
tions ac"lv8_nce on Seoul a!'lc1 the 8th ;.rmyf o breRlwut fro::tt the FusE>.n ~)crimetcr,· Hn( the attem:pts by enemy uni +:a to uitb,c":.ra'.-1 or e,scaDe to the north, mao.e any assessment of strength 1n n particular a:rea ·e;~cc€C!.1ngly unrE::linble •
.As _to .. the 'ron san e.rea, _there 11n6 e. certain amount of inform& tion ooncernlnb unl te uhlch . uere located there a-t ·.one. time an'd -v1E:re ·not knmm to h~ve moved. .nlso, there_ ,nts lpforr.Ia.tion concflrnlng un1 ts ljJhic,tl, accor(i_1nt,; to unconfirmed Fi{ reports, we're tue to :>;)c at ~1onsan at some la.ter c'l.ate. The-se units·v~rf, -thr :.:..2nd
· lnfe.ntry Division, ·compoaeC:., of the 76th e.nC. 96th regiments, ~r1th e. total ·strength of some --:: ,ooc men, and· tho ls~· Uar1nc :rt?[:imcnt, a coco"st c1_cf~nse unl t, vri th a ;str::::QC'th ot a~proximately 12CO. Other reports, _perh~t~Js relating ·to tho samo regiment, refor'rec1 to a He.r1nc un1 t or r"'ivision ,,ri th a strr.nt:::th_ ·of 5,000 to ? ,GOO men oqu12JpC'C. vi th six. 122i!'.rn ~ .. 1 elc1
_ guns anC. four ~-5mm AT curia, ropprtcc~ly stc,t1oncc1 in •-.ronsE,n as le..tc as 1? Sc:qtember 1950. ~lso, the; rnt·my .soule be expcctc::l. to ·ir:r._~rove hie C.:Jfcnecs of lionsnn £~rca vri th clemr-nta of the 5.th, •12th_,_ an:. 15th FK Divisions report0C.ly instructf'C'_ to f'GSttlbls in that .Hr:n. · ·
Enemy rc1nforccmc~t capr.b1l1 t1·os c:-1stc9. in thr strenr·th, anc9 from tho locations 1nC1.1catc( b:.loH:
(l)' From th~ South--V1sor(£an1zc,1 rcmnc.nts of +;hose c-:.iv:lslorw, (On~l?.¢.::.c1 age.inst the 8th Army on the Southern Front, ••h1ch han mana[;cn to CBCC'.1),- thE.: trc:o S~:t .by th,- I'CCP.ptt.trc Of S~oUl ant thc-brcaJ\throUgh or tl'}c eth .:.rr.ty. ~eng t:tcGo there "rurc 1 in i{'.c1_ition· to t;l~c 5th~ 12th Em<l 15th r~K r;ivislons llst·c:i DbOV<3·, .the 8th, ~~rd, c.nc':. lst :·1?':. c"iv1s1ons. In r.(f.l.tion, tr~c leth N:< {~ivlsion f'.O(c thC' ?.5th r:( Br1ge.5.L, ro~Jortctly instructed to asscr:1blE: in"tho Chol'''·ro:.'J. t.r~n, ''ere relnforccm, n't :.)OBPib111t18s..
(2). From the ~:rest -- The 23rc1 PK Division 1
toecthcr ;r1 th art1llq'y e,nc tank tml 'o - locatocc in Fyont_'ynnr:. t..l so, un1Cicnt1tioc"i. -locn.l dE·fP.nsc unl ts in tht' Chlnnampo - Fyongyc.nr; ar: c ,,
(-1) From tP,c Por'th -·There _oes no. ln.:~1cL~t1on of' nny troopn loc~tJd 'to th< 1'-'orth, nor of any mE~.j~r nov·::-rnr·nt ·of Peinfoi'cc:m(nts into Koren rrom +:ho rorth'""' st:-~n bore~. cr.
Ho"' vcr 'JrobFbl•~- th.· s.-:· Ckfons<: f1nll. rc 1nforccm;;.nt Cf1Dr.b1li t·i--:s r.t".Y hf'.V:::' b( .. cn, ct..,ch l..-as c.l.~~-H nc."'!.-c-nt upOn the proer._-:_os or· th.:, thrccprongcC Fnl ted !'.'e tions attf'.o::-, n!;icl-.. r-.e of tho t,1.nc of planning hEld push.;:::". .-e.bov.(. 'Gl"..c ~fi+;h·· ~'arc;.,llc:l, f'nc' ,.rn~ c.v.~-n th:n clo.sinB in ?.n the strot:::r·j_c nort nne~ inC:L~strie.l c:ntor of :ans~:·n, am1. th.:. }·crth f;or.·.c.n ca:91tal of Fyongy~ne:;. 'l,hc ?}.S. I
nn(: IX Corps had crossed· th~~ Imj ~-n ri vel" .and FCrC' threat c·ning th;:; Ch1n,.rnn0 -Fyongyanr:· e rca. · Tho I Elm, II ROK Corps V.?rc- ndv~.ncln[ rE1.p-1c"~.ly to, ·urc1 th.: ncrth elonG th~- Seoul - Von ann oorrlclor. The 3rt. RO!<: Division, proc.)od.in[ EJlong the coestnl roc.d, had_ p~n-rtrntc:d (100".91~ tCur.rd ~--~C'nsc.n.
Thus 1 t was, thn t ~ t the conclusion 0f p1P.nn1nt: 1 cons:tdcrablc spooulntton cxistoc'l t.s to the :pro'r)~.blc omploymont_ of the Division in the event thet ;;onsan rc.U to Unitcil. Nations forc.:.s be-fore a ltm~:a·ng oouid be cffcctOc'\. Hont1onoc1 f'.S posro'iblo alternatives ~1or-: r.n administrn-~ivc lantine; nt ,1onsnnJ. 01~ an r.m;-;l:lblous ln1L~int; in the Hunr.:;nem .... Hf'-.:nhUn(; nrcc.
.n.l though formr.l trr,ininF; !'.nc:. :r~hr.r.rsels HO'c nci thzr sch:.(l.u1 cc1 nor cOnducto:, c-~ ur1nt.: tbr: Y,)Oriod, it ,,.,as felt thr.t the ~:-~:·?Criencc, rcsul tin(:; from r..ctuf.l pr:rtic1,at1on in ttc recently conclu:icc1 combe.t opcrr.tions, t·.'r.s such the.t the G-2 Section was eminently fitted. to rcccomulish its eseigncd. miasicn.
5. LO.'Jlil'G J.ND EI~BA";KA~IOI".
P. 0 ~he follot-tinf. G-2 _pcrsonnnl wr.rc: ~ essigncc:. to the .A.DC croup, anCI_ were :::.nbarkcc•. choaN the U.GS G2:0:iG; CLW.::S!i e.t Inchon, l~orN'- on thP r.~or_n1J?.t! o:f. 13 .Octob:~:r l~~c~
.11ejor John G. B • .:..p·nsB.-• ..~".fL~P · · lst Lt. Fr·eG.:·rick B. v;,J1 -BJU:'-TT T.S[t .• - 'Hlliem .I. ~U:ili:. SS·ct, SE>.r;mcl Co FLO':'T, Jr. ::\;to :.!Orner ':':. JOEN3'.:0K ClJl. '"iilliam h. BOl'JINE
~Tot consifcor(.('l _r. un:r't of the .. iillC Grow:>, but cmbnrkcC'. elo-ng'w:l":;h 1t 1 _fo'r t;rf'.nB:·)ortation purpoees, \\•ore the f"ol.lo\·J1nt_; )C'l"SOiJncl Of thr2 E'.ttt.Chr;d CIC f'.n<"!. :net '.::'u·ms:
ere F ~:r-so11;}J:l. l·;e.jcr !~1ll.r.r'1 ? .. no-;:rGHERTY Cc1)t. Sl'mu..: l :;. • 1lALTOl~ . Cc~:-t, £tmunc'! H. ·~; •. i1Bt..'T·~OH S/~ Jurncs ·-;. KAHE sf.:. Gcoffrov L. ~:ov:.o~·;J.Y s/~- Gr.orcc Y. YAlL:J!Q'"!_lC S/A ,·~o.oC.rot'.' s. I':·C S/.'"> L:.lc.n~~ K. F-·~I\~/;E; 1G s;;, Jool c. L;~c 3/.~~ J.Jcom·.rU I. ?I.S·:• .. ..L2 S/~'-- Gort.i.on •-;. Ld.SO~l,
Lorci_ing f'nr'l c-mt;Pr1t.r.ti<Jll !·~fl:s cc.n·.ple~cd by 1? Oct-::;bcr 195Cl ,. onCI. th~ t110 t..:rou·-)s -sDilod ill CODVOy, for tf:.c objcct!Vf' ar!!:E~ 1 ori_ the r:lorninG of thr~ ( €1.1f(3. : · .
6. J:CVEl~;::rT Al\'J .ASiUVJ.!.r _.:,:r, ~!-C 03-J:C':.'IVE .AH.2A. (Sea Unit Hir:tOry for t:'10 ?orio::: 13 Oct-~6 Oct 50). '
•"'. ~-iSSE\Ul t Phase..
(2) O:.ocr:- t!on of G-2 Section.
. D1.1r· to ·t.p,.-.:· :.r,clt of suitr·bl~ off'ic:C' s~acc-, tor.ctl1tr ·with th:- 1 tl.fV~t0\1U~tc corm1Un1cat1on fe,c~li tiCs "'-istRntJborr<' the l!D& GI:C:S.G~ CLYH::?i., thC' .AJC .Gr¢Ul) (11:'! not conc1uct forr.ml· opdrrtinns ci.u:i-inb tho ;ovcrsc&.s oovor,lont. H01i€Vrr, situ.r.tion m~.ps uerG poet:Jc'l. 1n · the off1ccrs 1 .'...rEtrClr·Jam·_.nnd ·th:. cnlistct mess hL'.ll; nnCI. 1_n 6on9.~rt with 1ntcl11Gcnce pi~rsonnrl o:( thi3 2nd Bn, 5t.h. Eer~ncs, · e.nc1.\ ·bc.scc1. on 1nfor~r.rt:'1on rocc·1vca: tlorough lnJ'roqucnt 1ntoll1-ecnc.o eummnr1ca· rrld rrCiJ.o··r.rona.c~;_E'ItS,· the section ·~·me nblc to kC'01~ ftbrnn~t ·of. thr: g-oncr::-.1 cnc.my situf'tion. ·
Sl;.ortly boforC comffir:mcm:~nt of the OV( rae<:~. a rnovc.n:cnt, 1nforrtJ.r.t1on ~:w.s rccc1vo<1 thrt 11onse.n
hE:(, !ellen to Uni tocl. l',ntione ·forces, r.nc1. thf'.t the Division ,.roulci. cff.cot rn P.:=lm1n1atrf1t1vo l['nc11nr, ovi:"T th.~· ~lonsf!:n ·b.:.r~oh::s. On·l? Octob.:-r 105() tho ccnv0y e;ot LtnC. or Wf..y. on· i-ThP.t "tl.rfis t.o hr-vC been r· ~8 hour r'cwcmcn~:. T~l•.;r.:. follo"'OCI, ubr .. t 1e noT·.· joltin~;ly rcr-:::rrN-:.· t-~ .r".s tiOp. rc.t1on Yo-Yo 11
1 S·'Jo cr.ll cc1 in f td':~.rr nc;;;: to tl:c Bofi'l<:: 9
to 10 Ct'ys th,1t "::he conv ... 1y }')11~<."-. it;s rny up 9.n~1
.. ;;;.:.614
DECLASSIFIED
Korean War Project USMC-00101841DECLASSIFIED
·-~-· --3Ion SF!~CL·.L r~G:'ICP :~.::~ORr:'
:~oFn the z,p~t rn cor.st o:f" Knr,__·n, h rclu' f't 0nc time• in the. dir:-ctlon of 1 "nC~ then f'..H['Y fr:')r: the obJoc.tiv:· ni-c.,;.~ Thif- S· .::-ninb in· c cis ion P.:-.s the. r::sul t of.- the ~l.ifficLJ.l tivs- tl:on be ine;; cncountcrrd_ by the El'vy ·in cloFtring tl:c •icnsnn br..:c.chcs nnc1 hf'.rbor of ltlincc lo.;1n in· SL~ch nttr:'.bO'S. th~-\t, ns vas lf..-t C:r: 'lc~.-t'nc(1, t.h(: enemy hr.c1
. ~vcn c,_onier:. th~ms_clv.;s t~E usa of this. very n:collc-nt hr..rbor. On 26 Octob.:r 1950J B-J:our ~-~<'s rnn ~unco<1 1 nne. the _:.JO. Grcu)) •-.rr_s lcm1e('J.. The· Intflligrnce Socti::m ·-:>rcc""ccclcf· to e. pr;:--dcE-iE;nat cd r ssombly· a::>ca. ·1 ·uH (_ir t ely inlrn~ of th~ l!>.ndinr benches·, l'.nd by 130C of th11t cetc ht.cc mv cd by j G€U f. nee true!< to e. school house on· tho northt>r)1 .~ut~.k1.rte qf the. tmm of .li.onse.n, By:' leQC'. the.t .. "iven~ni: "tel <'Phon-
cno:.1~r inform.~~tL::n. Fer o. more c~ct<>.1lcC' Di;;t!lrc of the r.JGChr..nlcs lnvolv9t:t in the r.c_cC~mpllehr.wnt of the st.· functi Jne, rofcrcno" .is .. !'1nc~o to .AF.K:::X B.A.iCER of 1st HE1r1nc Division ·Bvc cial }.etlan Report on th0 Inchon-·sc6~1l 0lJ'ci-£>-t:1on.. ,O:f s',)cci£>.1 interest 1 cluring tr is ~)httsJ,. •·rl'.s the t1s1--:lfl_ccnEnt ·of the Division COmmn:·Kl-Fost· to H~g-Qru-ri in th.:-. Cho sin Reservoir nrcc., r :iF::vc c'"!.tctRtN1 by t~. si tuntion; Phich tounc1 .sub?r(1nc.tc. units b~1yonll rtncs Of effective Divis:tiJnRl control. B2cnuse of thr :;ti:ui t:::n ·.ff!.c1]_1 t1 .3s ELVnilnbl o ~. t HP.t;f' ru-ri ·, '1 t t:ae t.ccit:cd '!::h~ t. onl-y a s:-:clctonlZ.:cl. 8tr.ff 1 sufficient in r,iz~ to c:xcrc_isc.:. 09~-rrt.:)..Gnr:J. car.trol1 lWUlc1 r:1r::vc. for1·r-r.:~, •·~1'~11·.' tht.: bl.tl1[ of th'Z' U1v!s!C'n sttff tvc·ulC rcr.win r.t t.Ju:-l;.·nr.m. tc hnn.J.lo routine nc~r:11nietrr.t1v."' :!lttt".::rs. :·;ithin tl':.~. G-2_ :Section, it \JC,c. (~c:c1r,t.·c1 th_c-t the: .:~fif11E'I~?.nt -Ch~.: f of Btnf'f G-2 ~,rith t~·.ro of:ticc-rc: f'JX~ f'1v~ ;:.:tll[!tr-r. c.~sic.t<'.n··-e:, su_:_,port0.:. by ::l~!"lcntt::: of the tttt.ct.c:c.1 CIC,..-.11(~ EISD c1ct~.chnl,.::n"Ss, 't-!oUlU_ i:l.ovo fcn-mrt~. B~·cnuec.' of the unf.o:worrtbl.: · oomli +;1-Jns, l~acn-m to be: oxist;;tnt. ft Hnr.;~.::-:l'i.\ 1 l,t llf•.s }-:.lr-.nn;:;q. th['.t th..::. G-2 Oocti0n of thr. ....._c1m1n1strf'.t·1v(. Hoa::tc_luecrtc.rs would be rCs!)onsi-blo .. ~or tbc~_pr,cpnpo.tio·n of'_ the· ~- cri":Jclic Int cll1Btlncc·_ Hc:_oort ·!l:nd · the hnnC:l1n&:; of f!Clr.J1n1strntiv·c- mitttcrB.
Ecor..uso or' tre.nsportr.tion. d1:ff1cllitlce, the Cor:tnf'nt Fest nccess8.r1ly' c11aplnco(.1 in t'Jo C"C!l2-lons. O'hc first cons1st1ni! of 2 officers r.nd 2 cnlistcCJ., plllS th;-. c:.ttf'.Ch.oc1 OIC .pcctibn 1 r.lQVOC1. oUt on the ~orn1nt: of 27 i:·~cvcmbor 1950 f-.nct o.rrive-c;. ·in nr.p-nru on th::_ ;,:ft.crnoon ·of thE't .c'lntc~ The soconC1 .. echolcn ·r;H··ns'i.sting r"Jf ·o oriliat(f. nne the nttD.chccl lHSD ·s·.Jction mc::vot~. ::-.-Ut tho following c1ry !'.nC' r:rri vee~ P.t X::.tr::-ri l,~hcr.c-thcy S}}cnt tho nicht. On the f-,ft.::-r~'lt;;cn cf th-' 29th, tho ~ccr;n.:J. cchclqn .::>r.truckuc". -by l''l0t.::t:" c-:m~c ~· fc·r Et.t;r:'l'U; .3il·Jrtly therqnftC'r t!".lc,·
to nunbc-r those einr.;lc-s nm1 . ~)~ir13- _in oivilie'.n clothes vho. r.pp~.E'.rc( -"!.mi. T,,r;,_ ro usw"tl;ty ,r.cccptJd thr0u~:hout tho ,locr.lo t,s oith;Jr locnl citioz.ons or C1splr ccc"!. persons ·roturninc:; -to J)r l<..r.v1nt; · their honos.- Numerous instf'.nccs •.rcr·c · ro\.m'c1. ·· ,,·hero North K-~r.:·:."'1n solt.icrs hnCl. tnltcn- ··)OD1-t1ons on locr.l pol .tee forc-es or 1:.:1 thir:·· oiv.ic crcr.nizr.t1one. r.nr. ucro l•.::.:i1n:.: unr.tolc.stc..C'. livc!J until npprch~nC1.cC'. o1thol:' by th.._. r.lilit<lry or richtlst c1v111::m trcu::s .
••
.£• :=qui~)f!',cnt - Tho in~,ivlturl ccui:);:;cnt of the nvcrnt?;e ·cucrrillr o:Jnciatc'~ of thf.'l.t ~-!hich he coulti. oar:ry CEID1ly unO. 1nCono;;1Quously • .-~c cnrr1oc1 a rifle cr r subr:"!s-~ohiniJ r~un E~n( lf a mcr:~bcr cf r:>nc of th;:_ C:.1o-!:t"~r~~- C:Ji":1-"llln1st ;...r~y un1·;;s h~ v.ror~ Fl. sun~.1cr un.lf:cro oE\.n(. :;;rcbf'bly cn.L~ricc\ e> ch!'.nf;:· ·of c1v1~.1::-:n clothes. If p
C oan:•tc.:t• or st:a:·n;~"[:l;::r C\1' ~. mf'!:.:bct"l (')f !1. r.r-~d.lcr ::_n•cc1F~t(;ry bc.m1, ho 1nvc r~r.bly ~,1 Jrc ort int':ry o1v111r-n cloth=: a w1 thc.ut F:(.wcn~Jon. B-:'lnc· of the ler[ar ·units \Yore orgt\ni'z.c:(.l. to ~h(; extent or havint; r:,echtno guns anf1- 11;-.~ht nortC~.r~ cmt. Em c.Vf'.1labL:; su::JPl.~r ·of ~r.Jmunl.tion an::". c':or.10li~ tic-ns,. FooC1. su:.)pJ..y vc.s p·r·:Jbebly th; bi[p.cst ·.n ... oblc;:~ f',m.1. hE"_c1 to .bo ·obtdin.cd. in its :mtiic.tv· ·rrom loCfll oiv111nn ocurccs· di' fr.Qr,i attt-·.oke -on lT SUl)PlY convoye •. · Numf'roue reports 'r.rc.~vlctimiz.c·(:. v illagt:: s told of. c;uorr1lla rhiC'. s · be inc c:-nt.uctec1 in l":'hioh thf' riL10 ors mf'i!'c ctf· ui th the v1Ecgo r1cc oupply, as )lOll e. a c"on ~·rv.:. o~~ cnrts~
fl. i0of'.tion nnt !·10v;:-.L'1.~·mt - · r.::he centers of the gucrrilln ectivitioo in.· the Division z0n0 c."!.urtnr::· thie p,;rio~~.~ lry ulonf;' the rncGt fc_\'ol.~t'.ble cr>cr:p.-: t'N~tc to tho north. "' '.:11:1~. route cnt.:or:-( the JiVieL:m z0n(, :1n thf vicinity· of Kojo en tho s_:::u.th e.nc1. C0L1t1nu..)C': n-1rthve:st1 pP.ssinC just t0 th,; ~"~oat of the toun cf .l'1.nbyon 1 thcl)co. wcs.tvarc'l to the r-:Jnc1. j_u.nctlon town c;i. i'lt~jqn-nl·;· trt•herc. it cut .t;;:. ti.lc Cf'.st · fop aomo 6.· _to e miles boforo ·ngE'.in -turni.nt:' north tc trnverse. the ve.ll.:::y' systm:1 "'Jhich off'crcc"l both hr;-usinr: .posslblllt1cs cnc'l acl.ticc:.. j)ro·tcct1on fror.1 our air. It eventually l;c~ wost Of YohchungJ -C111~:yonr;; nnr~. north'\v-cst to F.nl\.su-r1. It Has nlon[ this routo tl1..:"'.t the 2nC., 5th end ]oossibly the lOth NK. Jiv18ions r.u:.c1.C their wr:.Y O.urinG thC' pe.rioc"';. of t;··ia· rc.-portJ stop'.)int; only len[ ::ncugh to ~;.?.thcr food suppl1~:s from the villr.t;ee ~on("l_ t::. r.tnkc. li[·htn!h[-likc stri2~.:f!: fi-L:~~inet r'' convoys ~-n~~ inst,":\1-lntions. Frc'b~\b].y une.~r th::: -::ov.:rf'.ll ccijr,v:-.nCt of r:-. nnjor @"C::nt rf:l,. th0s,; thrl~~. ·='1V1Si0llA P.lovly throf'.~~cc:. their ~my n.'Jrth from· ::(~:J ~~, stril'i.inr ~xrioc..l.1cL.lly <"'.n::'. r;;r:ri, r['.:!..ly snco(.sr.fulJ.y iUi"':" · til they hr-.::1. pn.Gs(C'. 'Jltr H.JSt~rn :,~--tl~·~:;t1 ty 1n ·Ghc vr.llcyn ,.rhich l·.xi. u:) t::- th:; ~~,..~rth I'>:r.-:.r.n
- 10 -
":'·:
DECLASSIFIED
Korean War Project USMC-00101845
•
DECLASSIFIED
~ ......... ,.., ... ..-.~-:)J.V.Li:).L\...:l''
r-.sscmbly :Joint. n t Hu:r.-:.~u-ri, son.:: 20·'mj.los north,_,..cct of Er.:.:hung. i:.t the semc t1~:1c, a})pf'.rontly ~Jernnncntly C.isp()SC~1. t.nC:. ncc.ror f'Ull str;:mf_:th tlli'.n nny of th,; ether e;uorr.Ul'' c.1"1o~cns 1 tho 15th NK _Division vns·lo'cPtcC1 s'?uth·or Erl.jcn-n1 r'.nr, ncnr Fo:Jton~;:-ni 1il the· lmJ1n River vc.llcy.
(2) opccific Ni::rth Korcnn Orc1cr of Er-.t tlc. _
g. 15th l\TK <•iflc Division:
?ris-:-;1cr or''•rr.r intcrrq·r.ticn furnlshcc"'. the only s~)ecific 1nf·?rl'!1~.t1on f'"Vr',il ... nblo on the 15th Division .r:-.s 1 t_ ve.s _.,isposcC~
(;.L~ring tl:D :J.:.r1oC CJVC:rcc1 by ·thiS -rcl)Ort. ·r:A.clJ u~_:· of tho ~:!.5th, -~Sth r-.nc\ 50th ·::.cFir.Jcnte; the ~ivioi::n l':.£>.:1 conc1u:ctzl'":. " successful .'l.·rit.h.c~.rru£~.1 fret'!. th< Pusttn ?cr1r:10tr:r folloH·:tnc the 1"!l ~c.f1'onsivc of 15 .Scptcr.iber 1~)50 1 !',m.:. hf'.f, J'n')VC'c1_ l-o'ithnut scri-:ue lessee to thE! upper reaches- of the Inj!n :::::.iv.-:-r ; . .,;horc it 1.;as imwtivc until ?.OK .Fo.rc~s. et"vc.ncin[ on l'l'onsf'.n. ·hc.C. by_ .... })ri~H)~£c"',.. it.- Division strenGth at the time .of. tho intcrroc;e.tion, ·r.ccorc'.-1nc; to· n p·.-v from Division 1-~cc.c1qunrters, 1-1£1.6_ -ll,.JOO . :::ns.s vrs :)rObE'.bly nn cxnu::·orEttion~ ?he- Comr:w.nd ...... ln[" Gcncrnl wns Gtn;,::;rr.l ~AX Sun Chol, ~-·ho ht".fl b(cn cnrri:::C:·as the CG in OB files since the c:rp::niza_ticn of thnt Divisiori.
On{ o-r t_he c1..iv1s·1on obJe.ctivcs wns the sc1znrc of Enjon-n1 1 a ori ticEl).·· Tcv.t· jllnction c.n~ tho location of the ·3.r<'l En, lst l!.i!:'.rincs,. until Etrcuncl the m1c\::lo.·or NovOmber. It l,ll'.B Vlhilc on e. nis-=ion cf ·es;!ionr.~~o· C~.nd reconnaissnnce1 in. connection with fl· contemplE'.t_ct1 nttr.ck on _1-:tdon-n·i. thf'.t the. '1r1sonor t-Tr.s te.kun who cave r.10si of the inforr:-:rtion f'_bo.ut th1ri c11vic1cn. ':'he f<ivisi'Jn hed in tho m>JCJntime com:.uCtc-d smr:ller Vttf'.cks nt,:f'_inst Ho..jQn-ni F.nd. e,;:;:rJ.n.st c-onvoys e.lo'nc, the Hr J on-n:t - .l•onsnn 1-~SF.. The prisoner nlso st~ted ·.thnt-- the_ d1v1.s1on. wts wa1 ting until the Communists launchco. :their ccunter-offcnsivc, Saying that they hnc:: been to:c1 by Kii-~ Il. Sung thnt the CCF wno crose1n(;' tho Yc.lu :?.ivt::r. ~he C1.1vis1on l!.?.s r.lso in t>nc.11o CC):nr.mnict.tion with tho m(FA HCf'{iquo.rtors.
_Q •. 2nG_ and 5th 1\K ~~flo 3)1vis1Gns:
~he I!l-'JSt hi[hly orcnniz~C:. of tlic troops t\•hi?h trf.'_vc_rss~ ~he_ J?~vis~on z~n,p~ rv!'!:!~ tl·,i5 TJcr1oCI. t•ct•r the GnCL, b"tn nile. proof"'.Dl.Y .LVlJU I!ivin-ions. These tr·?cps, rcportocl).y lr:C. by a mnjor ~en~· rftl, t-.rcrc ccnsid er:::c~ ill. 2-hP..rt. C,..,mmunists vhosr v_:-_·:-rcssivcn..-- es r'.n<~. or;.-:an1zc.t1cn v.r.c.s c1.cmcnstrE1.t:Jd'· on &t l~P.nt thrc~ 0utstnnti1n~ occr.sions nt:t.inct u:'1 Forc-~.s ln the ··.r.::tnsr.n .:-roe.,. ~he first ,,,_.,_!: r.t Kojo 0n 27 OC?t;;:Jbcr v•hcn ::-lr-m.:nts
of "::he Bth Divisi.:m siF'.f''-"Jd r:. ·rL::rcc l'.ttr.ck F'.[;fl.inf:t tho 1st 3n; ·I,st-Ec:::r)ncs; a scc·-:m:::. ntt('.C~>;, Vf',B on the l1iE;\ :!..cr.::Unc ·tc Hr.jon-ni Hli0':rc- Clements ·_cf tho 2nC. :Jivisicn r.ro C(msic~oroO.. to h::-.vo t:.ttf'c:tcc\ n cu:)ply ccnv::~y; . tl1c ·th!rt":. out.st.'l.n(inc' :)Corsi on 1"'2.H f. CCJ~rdlnntccl f'ttt:"Ck HCt.inl,1t U,S. :.l'r.l:' ttl)itS L'.t Y:')nchunf<. lr.st!nc ecvcrfll hou:rs:
•·• rnE'.-st r:r so•r:,;f'_nt ~::Jri so ncr uho 'IJTE".s (?river for tho rq.incntn:i ccnirii--.i1t.cr Of the: 4th nccimcnt 1 2nc"',_ NK Diyis.icn, st".iC'.. thC~.t the 2nc1_: 5th Rnd lCth Divisions ~;ere exccut1nr; tho northtic~rc1. mcVCf:1.2ht to:-'cthc:r~ with the 5th Divisi-on scrvinc.ne the point for the com)osite unit. Finr.l c1£ stin~1. ticn for· thc:ec forcCs •,r!l.s !--f'-D£:' C'Y:':'.
The- 2nc1 Division cons1stCc1 of the :tth, 6th nnt" 17th liq;imcnte_ ~h th rogi;nc:ntnl strengths of' 900, -,.~co 2.m: 500 m~:n rc-opoctivc:ly .• ·. !t• h['.c:. lC hco.vy mech1ne guns, .100 submnchinc r;uns nna. nn unr.ctc-rmJnc:::l nu:nbcr of riflc:.s. '!'h0 5th Division uith ~he~l~t~!_llth r.nc112-~h ::tec1::1on~jr .r::;yor1;;;5ly con-cl'.~ncu c;, V\.:,_. ;ncn. No inf.Ot'JTIEl.t1on iu- ~.-~vnilabl o on the stren2·th or the role of the lGth Division but it is c0nS1:~~rC:·· to hrvc bci.:m even m~rc (l_cplctcd thrm th2 oth0r t\.TO c:ivi.siohs. ·
Tho d8terinination cxh1b1 ted by this iT',JLJ.P in :!.. ts ntt.s.ck anc1. t> 1 th(1rtt.'•f£".l tr-.ct1.cS tc•·cro tho north may be attributed to the fe.ot t>.t::tr both thf' 2nc'l. r.nf'! 5th DivisiOns we-re e:-1ww~ tL.c crig·inul Yorth KO!'cnn uni-"~s ;;hich invHc~cd Scuth Ko::.""co .e-ncl. vJcre ccm:··oso0 of _so:ne of tl-"LD beet E'.rf !106t n~" rr:osivc l'r/( troops. ~;:£' 5th Division was lf'.r&'0ly ccm·qoeaC'~ of. Korcr..ns t.rh() forncrly scrvc.ci. Hi th the CCF ~n Chint'. .
.Q. · Othc--r -~£J:t..h K::r~ nQ~PJllli: '
.Ar:t0nt: the North J(e>rc'an. :Jivtsionc rcprcscntocl by ~r1son~'·rs cP.ptureC. throurhout this f',J:"('ft e.s stJ:Y· .. t.jl.-1r~. or des2~tors v-.rerr. tr.c fol:!.. owinG:
(2) Gpn_-3rc.l Chinese Communist Or_clor. ot B~ttlo.
.-n. The D(iv~mt cf c. r:l-<).tivclY sm?ll force, €'ct'ually n .... full· CCF ':'1\~l,s,ion,, Cr ChinC?sc Communist trcoTJ.s into tho;; oro:'l.Cll:~ of. ._·b~.ttlc 9ioturo in early Novomb~r bot;.:-tn ·.thi.~ c11 vc:rs1on· of· .. n tton- \ tion f'.Wf'-Y Tr'om 'tPc-· -oone!:dprl'.:t;iO'Q. -.of· \:c::rth. :Kor.osntroops tort:\rc~ these n2~1 units, ~.bent \·:t:l,oh_l1ttlc ·pns l~ncvn fr--:n .~.ctuf'l cor11b1:-t in ·th<) ;~~jrth Yor;;nn
- 12 --~-----""'!'
DECLASSIFIED
·'
Korean War Project USMC-00101847
'
DECLASSIFIIW
. : ··. ~--cr ·L '·'"'MIO'·' TlT""-o-·m . ... r..; n. n .... _. • -.1...:.~- ~~6
thc:!'.t::r. Tt.is :!version ~;rE~s c-~nrJlt::tc,f. by 27 !'":1vcr.lbcr nhcn the <'11-ol't CCI" c')untcr-crf-cne!vc V<'-8 L':unoted in err:1y, str;;.n~·th by c.lomcnts of the 3rc1 CCF F'i.::-ld Army, Emcl fr::>m thnt time .on the n.::::-mi tuO o of the CC;-: r")rt cr Df bnttl c stuc!_y ·JVCl'-GhN1ot,rcd by :rf'.r ~:~ny 'Jrcvious ·consH'crntiOn ~:tvcn to sr.w.llc-r, less c{f.:ct_ivo l~orth ;:~orcr.n forces. By the time cf tl:c Ch1n3so .:'_(--;vent ~-nto t'- :1 h battle, UN Forces, for rlmost f.'.ll in";cnts ['_J1( ~)UrposcG, h.::tc1 C.cfn'.tnd the orcnnizc::'! ~!crth Ko:r, t~n Ff01Jlcs .-...r::1y, oxcc-ot for tho rcmnooto v:-.:tch hrc": been drive-n int'O the moo"-:;_ r.orthcrn c:ctrcmitlcs. Our :forces 11~('re then ~)oiscd to f'.c,n;~.nistc:r c;. final c:.up cl.D [:race thet to•oulC 1-rvc broken the brei-:. 0f Pll orr:11.nizaC. resist-.- noc .. Anr then the, picture chanf:cd, r.nd ·Jrobnbly fastor them t,__ny crc-:.3r of battlC picti1rc hD.cl ever b.::cn trnn6for>:1ed before. In thr€'..c to four lrcol.r;:sl tlii:c, the Chines_..:: forceS. ',f.RcinG' this Division c!lnnged fro:r.:t r: lCI)LOC f'l.Pn c'1lv1-sion fitbtin~~ 11 blocking fi_ction to scvc)l"f\1 Etrmios 8to?.t;ing a viclcuo, r:ll--Jut. -eountcrc'!.rive tori th forces nunbcrint;~ as h~.[h e.s lCO,OOO. In ti·TD· short.c'.l1.ys th::' entire-Division;· strctchin;;· t'rom ·Yuda.'!J.,-01. to !-:atr.t'.rU-ri nne. I~oto-r1 over some 2l'_m1lcs;. -hE'il-bcen--r.ttackcc1 frcm all sic"l.es by n veritable sea of _e.n rcoEJivc, "..;cll~"urc:_inr.x1, highly diBcipl1n:.d tr.nc1 .skillfullylot. Chin(~sc Communists ,,,rhosc cl.ocurnontcc'"!. mtss1on \Ws first to destroy the lst l1.9.rinc Dlvisior. nne then to seize the F!El.lllhunt area. Well cqu1p_;)E"C1 nn~~- n:Jt in the least bit roluctru to clocc, in fierce~ l"l!l.nc"'.-to-ham'l. combat, these Chinese troops fror.1 th~ 3rd F1 1-?l(~ • .::.rmy hr..d. bcc:n tho oneG nasi[nea the mission of sc1z1n[ .the island o.f Formosa r.bJut thE tlr.~~ of the ~!orth iCorc::E~n invasion soEth,.'E't'(l., when tll.o U. f. ?th Fleet intcrposec1 1 ts nP.vD.l stre·n(:th bctqcon Formocn anC. th0 Chinese ma.!nlan·.i •. Two months cftcr tho entrnncr of the l'n1 tocc 'Jlitt.:lons in tho Korean conflict and· rccogril tion a.f the fHct that the Communist victory 1-n 3outh Korea vras rloomed, m.::-.jor clc::~.onts of this field army began their rnovc to North ChinE'. and l~unchur1a ror· the trnining anG.. equipping prep~:ratory· __ t9 participation 1n }'orth Ko>'ea 1n behalf of 'the' Communist oauso, ~ht E~.ttBck o'f 2? }!ov9mber we.a -l)ut _the·.9~tlminEt1on .of sevo.ral mon'lil'!.s·'· .. )~l;I\Pp,1:PI>.': .:t<;ra1n~n(;:·and _,. movom.ent on the pa.rt;cof :'sa)\if! ;Q.:\':·'·YOIIl.'llUil~'st .·.C.il~!la!'s· bcs·t f"i[htint; forces~ ·an<l: Can~--~-·.~tn·.-no son'Sc.,-·. he·_;. constrt.~cc"c to hnvc b~cn r. 11 vol:untnry11 proposi-tion on th;: pE"-rt of t~~ 1nd1v1duql solc3.1q:r.
r:'hc Chines.:: Communist troops uhich opposcc:. thie:. DivJs~.on {cn:t~'tn.~; the pcr1oc1-covcrcU by ttis r~:::port incluc" ct t.'.i~~.to f'rcm both the 3rC1. r.nd {th FiclJ .h.rml::-:.8,. th~: for.""Jcr being <.l.isposcd orc"'innrlly in. the . .Sh~n.~_:ht~.i :.s:"'£' ~.n(-:_
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;.:.
DECLASSIFIED
Korean War Project USMC-00101848
•
DECLASSIFIED
the le.tte!> in··Lrnchu.rie .. ·.?Otli +"ielCI. C~r:n~ca, ~r:tt:r~ e. combineci ·strength ot,ov·er l,<X\;,CQU cr_e vetera>ls cif both the fie·htin~' F!3E~iho·:; tho Jr _,~·nrse c'urlnt-· _·,rorld 7;:a~ II f1.11~. ~::u:l.nE.t .. _;he· . Cl1inc:se· Fc:t1oncllsts follo\rlnc thc.t 1-.ra.r.: ':;.1heir co-.~br'.t e~f'-c>otivcnefls is· r8te(,_n~ e:,;~ccllerit .:-nd · their nur;bere' incllll~e the best tr.slncc1 .r.nCI ccjui::~~~eC'. sOlC.lers ':of- the €nt1ro Ohlrieee- Cor:!-_,. munist Fore~~· "::s:_Jccie.ll~ out:Stp.ri~t1ne; 1s the co;nm8.nc1e:r of ·t-he 4th- Fielil :t..m:y, Gon-"':r'El LIF _ :?iao, 't·-'ho rc~)utcO.ly hns never ao.ff:3;r~O. v. · m111 tary t_,>Jff . .9.t. ·· Orc~r Of Battle' stu.:l.ios _of'- .th~e'e · forcce stetc that their mil11!C~.ry.lca.c,_;;::rs l}ev0 CJ.s·---laye.C: exCellent l~!!.C.ershi,:) at all tim('s am,~ hcv;:. n1E'.n1fe;:;t.r:C' £;-, thoraue-h :.mo~·.rl13•:::e:c·_o:f mill tflry tHctics. ~h£: }Jf~rr~rmanc.:•. of the Chinese trooys · a.ur1nr- this .~J~·rlo::l ton::t.e tO "Lrcar ot\t th.S'~.t r:ta.t-::m~nt.-
The p-r.norel '1)le,n of the· _ene-my' i·n cr.l)lo:'ine his unl.ts -"ith:~;i -~his Division' e zone of E'.ct1on H~e 'the_ a~_s1'E:n0cmt_, pf ~0~_;:1 -.~~'!17 =~ ~1_:3 1,2m~. from the :J • .Jth hriTtY -li:l'J~D cr tno 4"tn·_.t~'1E.-lq.·
Arm:.r -- to P f'elayinr: ·mi'ssion ·south of thcChoshln rnc1· Fus.:n '?iesr-rvoi:t;'S_ anc-·.north' of_ the Bamhune-. ['.rGE:. in cerly rov:3mbe:r !-lhilc: brirt[1'1nr: L~') le.rr;·rr am1 more ofi'cct1vc forces 01"' the C~-F-~ c.lf_ J.rmy to_ lE't . .u-ich ~ · counteroffCnoive:. Tho units us~c1. for• this blockinr mov3 trcr~ ttv !.? .. ~~;~1 1 125-;~h e.n!i 125th D1visi6nG 1 onl~· one ·or Hl::ich n:•.e nctr~clly -::nce~r-:· c:. in_ cOm t-nt by· the 1st Ear iLl~" DiviE>:;,on. It Nfcf tho 124th_l•iv:ts1on \lhich o~Ji;:;IOsce. th8 ·C'.C:.vr..n9c- _of ~r.c -?th_ kr-.rL-1cB ,.;.str~.c~_;:.· tile · H~.;:lh!.tnt_·-fc,E,".!'r~\-!"~ routE-~ .,.- de:tuil~c1 .:t.ccouht of the ··JErformElllOG o'f' the 12-::th ·it:.'' [iVc.n lrtoi' in this" rc;)ort; At 'the svm.::.·ti:n::·, C?th.:.'r· units: frJP.J the ·:1,_th Fir..lr,_ ."1-rmy h;•(l 1H~on·co;'J.,q.ttr~,l- · ln e-. cir:::llr.r C['.:Jecity U[!\lnst ~' :" t3th ""_;r'!!!:Y f()l:'CCS to th~ r-.rcst •
Cncc tho c1..-:la~inL nctfo;l hit been co::l;JlctGt E:.nl.:. !J~-l(' D;r.··:· F:~.:lC' .. ~r-my troop.:: r~-11--~e-C the .;':'2nc".. .;...roy ~t Yur:ar.1-n:t, thr. cctmtcroffcn'si'vc. , .. r£>.6 st~[DCl., ut111zint:, in .this 1nHJ)C,.1.1e.tc: aree. · ancl. nrninst ·t:'iis Diy1eion, th; 9th· __ \rny ~rour __ ,,l:ic·h' ~robf',bly· cone1st,:;CI o:t· ·the 20th, 24·:;h,. 25th, 27th, '3oth, 3~nc.~., (?) r .. nc-;· 33rCI. rlrw.les, ~tl~i r. to'tf'l of lP r.nc' lxrhn'l6 2.1 infantry C!.iviaione. r:hc.ro: is ;.>ot31tiv .' ~vfA.:-:ne:- to "sG_11_)0rt· the ~nyscnc.:-- of -.:1:--m·nts, of r::.1 ro:r the E"~.bov;· r.rrni-':'!6' hut i;hc. 33r~"'_ in -:::1;.:: C::oshin ~-C.S -::rvoir-Ft.rJl'._un~· f'rC.f' '')rior to t;l:_; f1n::'l,T-•j_'!;h"rr:rf'.l Of r~· ~orc:-:6 ron-;..~.- 0.--r>.r:r]b.~l" ~'?50. ,~'>lth')ui:--h it is not nr::E::uo.~a. tiU.t -- thG ~ ~-;ltirC'- strOar:·th. of- t):_:'s::. r.r!:llcr- h~f. r.rrivcr~ or hr.Cl b: ~n comiT'.~:ttJ· ·:•l~i.,l" to thrt tiw.c rluc- to' tl:c tl:r; .. ~ ~.n:=- s·J:•c,: :r~-~tnl1 s· invo~-vc-cl., Out~tf'.ri;~!nv r-~on:::- those !1.'r·;1:t: s •·•b~_cl-: H rc: C(")r.l
i:litt..:c.i. P(r: t;_-.,_- ?:Oth, ?-5th ;·nt'· "27_t::-J., ·~·-C'.h of
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DECLASSIFIED
Korean War Project USMC-00101849DECLASSIFIED
--H;;id: hr.( b.·.:-.n {U'l'J:I('!1tC(. by i-~. (\.iViS:On uh.~.n tl1': ~Oth .H.rmy 1 'et.S :'lseo1v~_,c'1. ~'-Ccor.:~_inr:· to f1_;.,~ lntcrro:::~tio!i, irl ..... ,)ril 1850, in the Ehl"'.n['hni [:r;:;r.. Tho13: tLr;:.,:. f'crmics "'~-rc th..:. on:s "t•hich ·,:;nsl:crl tho (1.:-torminv(t rttr.cl~ Lf'Tlim;;t ou-r forces in :'n ~-tt~·1·)t; to ori"r-y out t.2E: CCF EiE'·· sion of rnn1h1lf'.t1nf·: r.ll UN Forc,r;.s in 1-!rr.lhun~' loc(J.c. =11 frctors cons~~crc~, it la bo-l:i ._vc(i tbtt "t l..:~ct ten r.n~ :_;:robr.bly t~<clv.:.' c~ivj rionr of th:r·.::: ,"'!'~lie-s s,~,,. £·ct1:•n (l_t.trL'1f this ~)cr·1oc1. In SLlpport or tl'lis consl':"'.[)ratiC'n, tho follOl·'in[: c~ce:rpts of' intoTrcr;r.tip:;. rm:=t corn<ront rre- quot.:c-: frcm the Fi:C Intelligence: Su.-:w:rry, J 7/le Jr.nurr:v lfl50: 11 2__!:l~ CCF -~rmv~_ro_l22.: -~ Cl11ncs~ F1"' c."1)tur:{: n:;·.r l(oto-ri 'rev 5560) on 9 Z::t:ccr.:bC'r 1r:o5c, •.:res founr1
'In tho ['rtlllory ore·f'.nizf':ticna, thJ cr:.r:nr•r.~t~_vc lrc:t ::f r>.rtiilcry in th0 CCF:·(ivisl·:.n \-.rhcn c;:n>r,r;:: .. :~ t:; n l·':K r1iv1s1:::n 1s r.},,._:.::i.rcnt. :::he: rn-.: brtt_::>.lior. r::f nninw.l :""rn,~rn 'Jl' -~~'"'cl:- ertiJ.lory, 1::r·:rV1c'tcc1 for in th.c:. CCF .:.iv!'d.cn is r-rt:_P.IliZ:-l~- lnt~: thrc u b.<:·.tt..:.rics, .:-_.:nly -?n( <:f
'!<·thicl: is r.n .• "'.rtlllc--ry br.ttcry .coui))otl v1 th ~= 6 (Tms cr ho\·litzora. ErisCi1::--ra 1nc"":.1or.tc·c1. th2t tJ. rc['i!":lGDt!"l-sizcC. f.rt1llcry unit r.li[:ht su .. ::)ort r Civisi':ln u.nt~·r r::r~rc· .fC:.VQt'f'blc tcrrr.in c--:n~11t1~ns. The CCF flrt1ll2rY bv.ttnll·:;r. Flsc hr-.s r.n ~~-'=' bnt't;_ot:'Y cf <:, - s. ;~uns ( s?r.wtir.J.os 37J!E) rtn( ,.. ~c-1 VY Ht:f':Ym€1 bF>.ttcrv onni·-,-::-cc: l.!i"th fr,ur hc;;:vy ~~·.:-.rtni-s. {This i1u·.Vy J;Crtar, ~-:rcsu..r.:oc"'!.· tc- be the ·s·.::ovict 120mr., vP.S ,:;nccuntcrcc.1 ~; .. :·JCr .. tiH .. ?:th l1lr.rin0s mc-t the 12~.1:th COF Divis10n in cr rly F.,vcwbcr but· '!.·.>c.s c0m:Jlotely unrc·)crtcc1 'in the 20th .... ~rmy nftor tP-u cr:untoroffcnsivc- ·hN1 b~gun. Fris::mE)rs roportc<.~. they h!:':c'. sc:on tl:1s size mortr.r ":Jut tho,~so cf· r.ny~cb1nr_; lt:r-cc:r• thn.n F·n 82::u:l m.:;r-t;:...r- ~,ic.o uili-c:).:::rtcirl Oy cl~r un!i;:e.) This c(;:n9r.rec1 t·J thr,;c brtt!'li·~ns, tw: of 76;~:.; :-:uns f'.m".. ·::no of 1~2mm h0r,rltzcl'"S in th0 n: ~~lviai.-::n <.)~JCfl.rS rcle.tiv6ly 1nsi(..nificr:nt. In !.':.n~.·~~·l"Pl' 1 tl·w CCI>' c:.rti1lery bP..ttnli-:n ·c-:ntr.ins ·~·00 F!cn (s c .. ' .. !l"·l<'rct tJ the l 1300·in the ~-Ti·: .rc:-_·1-c>..:nt.
In f'.t"'!.c~i tion to thr.t artlllel.""Y ueu.nl~ · ly fonn:~ fn crch c~iv1s1cn, fl ::11n1rr.tli'l <Jf· ~n~ l'.rt112.cry T-l~rio:':::nt is Cllne;\f1.err~. -:-r:.c.nic to CT.ch Rnnv. ui·i;h 1n-:lc':'.ti0ns fr0m- 1nt0rrc:-_;F1.ti("n thr.t l'.n artill:·:ry .:.lv:ts10l1 is r.ttr.ch::;J. t~ ... n r.rmy ·uh.:-n the oitu:'.tion C.onr.n(.s Elnr"'c. r.llot·rs it~ H0i,•cvcr, C.urinc; this ~)CT1"·(~ 1 F'is s:-.1:-7. t:.Jrt rt L::ttt .-,nr· inf::-.nt:rv ~~.iViHinn rm(l. •Jf.l"hn~)s r:\:-)rt h::-c1 tc. mcvr- intz- i;:;.c ChCshin :..:cs·~.rvo1~r r.ru~ uithrut 0;r'[f'Dic :::rt1!lcry C.uc. to th~ ~:JrC'hib1t1vo ·nc.turc. cf thE tcrrctn.
f.. Strcmrti::
r:L'h..:; strcnr:th of tho Chinese Cc;mIamir.t Divlsl···n iB f-~)~:Jroximc-tr;·2.Y 10,000, r~cncr.?.lly the.. f:t:'"\,-. .:.Jo. the !-I·)rth Ko:rrf:.n 0r' the Scvi et :arlc Divisic·ns. The cnc.ny .{1v161.'1ns v.•hich o:;:~:.·:.!H.i'. the Div~.sirn tv.r1nc t~11s pc-ri~C ucrr c·nn10.c:r~(· .. t-:: b.:: .c-t virtur.lly full etrGnr_:th Fl1cn cc!!!Gittc.c1_. S:·rJ.:J, l~sscs 1 !:'.lti1:1Uf'l1 :n·obE'.bly lic·ht, hrt'. bcvn inflictct'~ :~ri-:>r t ... C':';:~r.:;i ttal, by cur r.ir r'ttLcl~s. '!'he nri:-.y c.~·nfl9tc.:- of three such ·'1vis1~ns, l:l~~r·<lquf'rt .... rE; r:.n:~ eu::·::H·-:.rt-1nt:: ocrvicos .r-.nt usurtlly totrll.tn~: ,n_r:·un( 35,000.
U.S
DECLASSIFIED
Korean War Project USMC-00101853
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•
DECLASSIFIIW
Due to the implement.?,tion of ~the 20th _:~m.y, '\;hich .first ir:.u_n.ch.e::\'. tt..e o_tt.2.clo;.a -E'~rourl~. ___ the Choshin·· Reservoir, by F,··rourth d1v1s16"h_," the committed.· strength. of tht.t. rrmy' ''C.e 'therefore -..,robnbly bet'·.teen ·40, ooo_ o.nd 45, ooc; J:n HdU 1-tion, ·before oi.a• fo:r•ces hf':•.d suoceec1od 1n ;,•1 thdr<.u1n:"! fr.om the reo:~ervo1r eren elementf'· of t'I--TO
nc1cl.it10Dc.l r.rmies hed been cOmr.~itted v_._nO 1C..ent1-f'ieCi. by ~-rlsoneroc "Tho 'etP.ted · th::t t~~ entire strength of· the -~rmies:~~E'.s ".tithin ~;B:i~·~p,:·enerel l'Tcr. .Er1or tc the r·l-nr.l Ul\' r,..ri thr~rnval fr.-::::-. Hunc~n[!.!n c.n 2~- December 1850~ clr:.::nc-:.t-s -~-f ::"'iv~ CCF r.rr.lic s 0f th.~ · flth .... rmy G:r-:U') h~vl been i:l.cnU.f~.e:l':. '"'8 c .. r::r;-o1rr7 IT Fcrces. On:;. ")i'i~cn:~r EJ~~h th)it h1fr:~-.n~Y ,· the ~6th, c·::.ns~."stcc"':. cf tllrcc orrr.nlc r1.1Visir::ns f'.nc,_ r.. f·:urth nn~~ cxtrn ~~ivislcn '\r.•h1ch hnt. been cc1t~.cC! just ~Jric:r t-:cc;mr.1t::-Jcnt in H.Jrth K~r~r.. In V10'\.' 'Jf the mr".ny ~::ri~c-nvrs cr:.:.,:;turc··.'. uh-:. V!ero not 1n.tcrr:.~;f'.tEC _...._t r'..ll _r.nc~ tho sketchy nr-.t1..1rr.: 0f r.ns~- intcrrcQ.".tions c~:nt: L~ctc.l by_ re~s·:--n of tht3 hl'.zr.r-C.-:::-ua 0pcrr-.tint~ o·J::If!J.tic-ns,· tho _r.:-~1 strength o.nC..· c_on~~)l'Ot(': com-· positlop c.f th() f'Jrccs which_r-,.tt~.cko~ :ttr trccps t.rill yrcbl".bl_y n~ve;r br · c•Jhf;l.l'"l':l.:~"!.. Strunt:th cstimrt':;s r.n1,et; of r- nf'co'ssityi be s~)--cult·.tiv:, ~"'sOd u:;>:>n th.s ltno,-m_.fol'CCS~:-::roscnt, un .... velu~.t~..~..-:. ~" rt:)c-rts, etrenf:th- .of enemy ,:.t-t;t>cl':? rnl1 the reported ·enemy onsur.ltics ... It ls, C'n'tl-:c r'"bcvr br.sls,.tb.e.t 100,000 CJ-.. incsc, or t:·uJ cm.~i\:r.l .... nt of 10 f\l-11 s1~cc1 :l1vis1::ncJ -.c.re c.::ncic' ~:;rc-~-- ~F' tho:> :n~.nl!,lum- ntL':lbc.·r whi·ch tcok · ~)t•.:~t 1..-1 th .. :".'.chtinr: f'rG·n. the 1ni·t1nl nttrck C[l ..... ,.., '·'--· ___ , --- ....... "1 ... ,_ ~ .... £ _:_., _., -~ ___ ... --"' ...._,__- ... ~ '-'' l'-I..V~: •. !o.•I..,J.' 1.\J.J~- .J. '-'~•<J J..Lii.C:J.. \..-J..ULi..;;ULI UJ. Ul.iiJ \ 1.J.-
..... ~.t;;--:.~l .... l'1y,. rnd ~l'~nicr-.J_ly cncu~~h; · it 1-r.s vJ.tn r; C . .._,rrr.p-:H1E'- t_h.,t .the ChJ.,1cf;'o troCl;JS -,_r;:..r-c., f-:-:r t:1e r.1cst ~·rrt, flr,1lQCi .•. Such.P(!('.~)~!'J.S 1 r-mcnc ;,.rhich 1rcro tto 301f1r.t o.nC'. 2l!!lm r.;.ortrre:, .. the Th~r.~·:_:-qJnn S~fo..;J.r chine Gun,. nne. heavy r.nCl. lirtt mnctl1ne F~ns, f.r.cl hDori: cl'.IJ'f;;Urc(_l. by_ iJ,hc ChinE so Cor.;r.-·LT.nists from tho·:· Chinese N.!:•.t10nr.11ats c~.Uring the Ch!tu: se Civil Wr.r -foll-::w1nc;- ~tprlc1 -~lf.nr l.I, nne~· •"':_):)(·['rc;'1 in -:!..~.r[:0 numbers ·in th;:: _hrn~ s .:;f ti&c ['.sntul tln~ r.'lt.sf.c8 who st.-:-rr.Dd our -~:rosi t1ons time nfte;r tii.ic. In r..S.(.~ ti:ln, n }.Jrie:;Oc:r frcm ~chc 60tt _Cd? P1v1s1cn s.r.id thf:.t. 4_0% .-:;!' the 20th .Arey FnE eqUi.l:.~>c(L t,•_ith U.S. 1':190:3 .r1fl~s, :Jl·us Jeprncsc rn~~ Cz~·ch_ riflE-s •. l_!nnCI_ -crcn::•Ccs \'JO-:rc of U.s:, J.:'.J:)f'r.csc c.nc1 11lc.nehur1~n ::Jr.n·;,frot·urc, an( C,f frf' [.:ffiG11t.-"' .. ti- n ::-.. nC. . c::hCUS_Si":tU . :tY:)CB 1 Vi th the r.r1.j ori ty bcln~· of tt.c-:: 0--:: ncu·~ sj,!":n- ty:Y0S, . sc,ffi·.::~1mcs ·1·Jrcy_)c_C. in .., lJ1cr1c tlc-~-:-.,----.;n·--:r:·:~~t"'. o:(;t·!:. ,_,hlch cr-uscC r,n lrrtt~?.tinQ, ye;1l )l·',:l.'G~"! ·sr::C":k::::'. UllGn c.?::)l:-,si-:~n.-
19
DECLASSIFIED
Korean War Project USMC-00101854
•
DECLASSIFIED
....... . ·•
.~;:;;mun 1 t 1 >:-n ,lr 8 ·l?rf' u~ht. ~:) frcr.1., Chi~.n, r.cccr(:inr_: t0 -~:Jris:nrrs. nn U.s. tr:J.ck~_vhich htt-.:.1 b:.cn crl:-..turCcf f:r,::m the·· Chil1o'sc N'lt1:"mnl1E1t Amy, tc: n l)Oint E:lJ:ProJ~i;:mtc1y·30 m11:Js 1~ ru:'.r of th.:; frcnt; lin.:-.e. Prom there it \U!B Cfl.rr1::-c"1.-by E'.cL1L::::-nnc'. C"·n hl·TS(~b8 cit l'.nr1 ox cart to thO c:~mbf' t -.~lcir..:n,_s. Th~ 1nC.1vic.i.Uf'l·~·-·upo·n ontr::>.ncc ·irit:csr.-:Or.tJ ·vsu11lly" cr:.rricc.,_ nb·~r.t ·ao ro..ands ·0f'" c.;:1:~!'l1.fli tiC'n :Jl·L:a· ··thro~ Ct" fJUl" hnnC'. t:rcnf'C1DS • I·hrtf'.:r' E'.nc":. t.rtillsr':r -~mrr.u):liti<)n \!t.s tr£".nS!1t:·rtc~"!. b~· hc:rscs \Fhich u...:ru -:.r~ r:.nic in O::F.\Ch ncrtnr f'.r:.d ,j~~ch1n~ t.un ccm:n' ny r.nc' ench f'.rtillc::."J' r:ni t. . l:L~Cb c1' both the cmnll r.r!.1S t'.nr') r.l·:'·l~t!}r fl.J;1mun1-t:!..:-·n i..,l't:& •:'f C .S. J't<'kl -tnl1 h.;(._ b;:::e:n ta.kon f'!"Oi:' th( Chinrsc ~~P.ti:",n!'.lists,
.:: .. nictnr..: of the 0v?rr.ll Chin'csClc~-istics .?no.:~. O(llli~)rJOnt 1ir")blor:l is SLUJI:.r.C u~: in l'n cxcor~)t fr0:11 f'.n F;:;c Int0lJ.i:;cnc: Ett"Jr.if':t"Y of 1--:: DccGI:lber 1950, .\'·-~hich sE:.ir"!.: "~~;q_scc1 chnrnctcl'-~st1cnlly on the ~:n~1nc1l)lee. of frL1[.'al1ty r.nC 11 livin(; off tho 1RnC". 11 , the: cn8r:t.y ~u·_;pl.y ~"lr')blcrn, llns only mr:~1c·rnt·e rf"'"'ect an. tr .. ct1cr.l Cf'l,f'-0111-tics. Son;: of the CCF ::~rls;nf"!rs 1ntcrrot~tcc1. l-:r·vc ovc,rroc,_ that they 1)1"-0f'crrecl 't::t fir.ht EltJ'.illst r. s. tr·ooys bCcf..usc the:y hnc1 ;--:f.eetcr .. cucnt1t1es of su:Jpl1es Rnc1. eoui.cJrnent (tc crc,:.tur$·). !n ELL'ti t1on, 1:hc.: CCF in the Choehin '1ceerv.,1r ..,,..,.,_ hnv~ (nmr,n.c1t.l".otr>r1 F'nnthr-:r t~ntic tc. F:olvn ti:;- s~~ppiy--(~-;~1- ~~?i~.c.effif:f.t) -pr~bii-ffi:. C~tire -~ivislcno Rrc rollcvea in line af contect eftcr <'"'- fe,r c~nys by f'. ~rcsh r"11v1sir:m ,..rhose sclc1icrs tll'C r-.::stcc r,nc cD.rry i:t fUll b2.ntol!or of ruun;un1t1on. Thir foce not neocs~~rlly ~~rtcin in every instnnce, hov•. vor, in tho 0VC!'-F~1 ~)ictur:::. ':'hGSC t'.l"E' 1ndicr.tic-nE ·vtJ1ch }}Oint to. tht: t"':·.ct thP.t (•_i visions i'.:r~· nr: t nc c .JSElt.rll:.r -.;1 thl~rtnrn <'.Jl(-1 b·.vt; r-cccivot.. ("' 'blcck of rc:)lE:.ce;ncnts in t:w f1:;1C vr:rylnc in sizo fi'C"Jr:t '2C0-·10C. ';lhr trons,;_)ort(lt1cn ;:-.hr:.so of 1o~;1st1ce 1s net so tJ:'Sily solv~~. .-{lth·.xtt--·fl vohiclt;.s in scmc ov.o.nt1 ty hr'VC been oQs(rvJr:,_, ;1.lf'.rChin(·.' by foot acorns tc bo tht. ;_)rlnci:)rl yni'{,_stlck in monsl~r-1nL s:)oec: ·of r..t'l.vc.ncc. On r.,· e;nf'llc-r scc.l<c, hors..., cnvr.lry hcs br-on reporter~ in the P.rca• l'.na ono nir observer rc~xJrts hf'.vin:_~ obs0rvcd ~nm1 subseC!L'.cntly C catre;ycc~) f0ur cnmcls. 11
• .;e, f()r the inJ.1v10unl solcl_icr, c-vory rc·~:~ort 1n::i1crt;:s tl::"'t he ttt.s both l!Cll-clr:thl:{l .:-cnC:. voll-f(;(1, once; the bil~. >Jf':!'cnsivc strrt:-C:. ]il,...,rr1_ uroP. :>_ ;r,.r-- ,0r --:--r0bl<m·-~;., · tl:c> 121,th CCF Di-:;i;,ion- -.~·hich- ~~~s first 10 teton e.:.. in the: SuCI.c.np; ~T·c·n r..rhll.:: I'Ur frrp·>c ~.rf'r.: ~t,.lJ.· ndvP.ncinC: tC•l'!['_rc1 the Chc·sh1n n(.-S-:-rv•:ir .::r-rl~· 1::. rr.-v.-::onbcr, ulth :;riec-tlcr"s t.::J.linc cf,ficht~ ... ~~- :f·.~-r thr~t Ltf',ys u1 th,... ut f'c•x1.. One.f· th~ h-:.~·.vy ~.:·11'lm~ ~f Cbinoec tr10~:-s ['Jt \mr.:1cT,·'r.Y, r.ll r~,:l•"l~~--+-:l" ''·~~.ntcr1
these tlcht em(~ w:n-,c·'~.tr.·.r)r::;of Sh)C£, ~he :)crccntfl['C of w:-nbc:.ttlc ct1.sUFtl tit~~ fi'-:ir.J frc~tbi to ant. frozen f-: c~ \!t.s hi[h, nurcici'-=-'ius :Lr.st.?.ncos bcin( l'CI•OJ;'tCt~_ vhcro the cntil'Q lOl·roJ.·· pcrticns of the lcc:s c.f S<Jffif l)I'isonere llSre fl'02.cn .scli<l. ~risoner.S_ r.:-'_)crteO. such cnsu[ll tics nvcrE'.~:('C'-alr::or.t 50~'- llithin certain t..mi-+;£:_ nne"'!_ ln cne ens,, Pn!th of ~~ot0-r1, on "· nirht vl1~11 t:·t8- tl:UJ'.< rr''tl•.ro :_J.,c·:-~~-'cc':. r:£> r.mch E'.S 00 C.E'[:l"ccs in a few hcilrs • r·:lt··- the , . .rlnc"! V[cs r.troh~ in the: mountain· :·1r.ee, n .. ,l•i.s:)nL:r s2it his cl'ltir.::. ba tte.11o_n \>!r:.a r.io.t1o 1n'8f'1'cctivc ·by- frostbite. ·That is On~ of the. fc.ctoi"s.v,rl:i.ch:•GX:Jlc.ins tho 0ecronser:. cncr.iy ro-·· sist<'.noc to our flnnl· m::-veccnt fror.l .Kc-+.o-r1 cn:1 the rtc.untP.in :;r.ss Clnm into th:;: !-!n.:nhnnc ;·. l'.rcr... Tr:-o, the Chine-se St.Dply_· 'Jf f:_~lovce t.ms uholly inf:c~-eauctc, r.:sul t.tn:_ in rnr:n~· !tno·vn C.E.G.:JS
or froz'~n, ht-:·.nts. In ac~.c"'.ltic,n, .the. ·GhinCoc solc11.:.r uuUf'.lly, ct:J.-·:t~icc"'. n s;:n,l: ~J«ck·_.cont.?.inL:~ .. h!c: fo?U .nrd £'. --shr~rl-111~8 blf'.nkct l..rl tt_ 'Which.l1c' covcr.::t'l himself. ':'h.: so t,;.l~ 1 trms, in f.l[;\n'y oa.ecFJ, seer.ud t'J vr.ry r s t::: }.Jrov1\lc:nce nccorc11nf; .:to cr,ch r11f':fcrcnt Clvlei,n. l.J:any- Ch1neso hf'.fl. no bltnk~t~ nt L'~.l vith scm.0· r.10nrin~· CP."lJtur.;ocl U.2-.· 'Of'r'kfle ,.,_n .. ~ .cvcrcc-:nts. · A lnrcc nu.-:1bor :>..l.sO he-~\' 1i.c . '1~:Cl{(;. · cc.rryin;~ smell 1 terns in n lai-c;o·):.crch1Qflil<;c ;:,1c.ct· Or Cloth 0r ht\nflni; .:.esont1ftls_ onto their-belts rm{ carrylnt their rico 1r E1t:1nll rico ~Jouch.:..s. 7h~ Chinos;:: B8l(11cr Horc no ,..,.,,.,!£- .-;.__f' 1 nco1 r:-n·1n_ .... nrl nn't"'r'i:·,,-: no i~.cntifiafo.tion ·~···-~ ._..,.._ -·· ... -q··~·~ ..... - ---- -. -1)f:)crs. rn srn~:: instr,nccs 111'6 name r.n,~ unit ,nulll be"' ·;rint::r". in ink on -th< 1:m.:-r left ht.n~l. s1C'·.c of his jrckot. T:11s· ~~n:cticr, l1:n,•ov;-:r, ur_s n0~ .-:onel~[;,l t:ut -~-):i'C~:J2bly ··KCU.l!o._r- ":!i.l~• -::;,-;· ·ccrtr..!n linlts. ·-.-Cnc· ~ffj_crr pl,r etr.t:::··..;~:·-t rnn}5:.~--if, __ n0t cxi st ··irl-.th{ OCF. Off1 cor-~ r nt~_ . .::r..u. Bt.':t", -1-rc;rc the srr.w ·t~nD unlf-:-m, th"t of· thr_: ~~f_J.ccis
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DKCLASSIFIIW
Korean War Project USMC-00101856
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DKCLASSIIll ED
b::.inr_· ."istin[uish;;~' G'nly·by ror1 pi·)ii1~: on the c::nt slcC'V.:'8 1 fr0nt nw~ cr;llr-.r nn{~· on tlw r;uteL~o scmr, r:f tho trcuscrs. Gcnol"T.l r:rr:(c :;ffic...:rs cr:mlc'. bo C.istinr_:uichod by the. b;;ttor ... L'r'm~~c s"f' unifcrm mt.t:;·rlt-.1~
T!"l.'- 'lt'C21Jnne m'.rric.( by the 1nc~1vil':.unl Ch1ncso solc~iz-r vrric::c1_ c.ll thu 1-my from thcso ull:J \·'ere ccr.T)lctcly unfl.rr,wc.l. vml ~)erf0rmcD ns service troo~,Js to those f'r::mt l!Oc conbr:tf.'.nte l.rh:J 1.rcrc nrm;:c'".. o1 thcr with rifles or submuohin~ r;uno. It 1'as n:_)::n· .. :ro:1tly the Chincsn Del icy· to nr>'l only those scl'"':_iors who 't·tora l'".ctu'D.lly part1-c1:J~t1n:_ j_n ccmb~t v.ith the C'ncmy, such trocps lcinc; the fr:mtllnc rifle ccf!!:)fl.nics nnri. the s:)cc1nl1z.cc'l. rni{1_.::_r f'"11'~- .rcconn,a.1ss£l.nco units. Tllesc trcops ftr' the mcst :)rrt carl!"it?c~ rifloe-L'.S. l:1P03, Jt'.J.:X'.nese. cr Cz0ch--vith the squc:c:.lor>.Cer1 -~)C>rhDl)B tho e.ssiste.nt squv.cl lcc.c\.cr, the plntcon scrc:.-~nt 1 plntocn 1-:::nt.or anf" 2sslstant plntoon lcf!.tcr nll 1{c1nrt c.~1cc1 l-;1th subm~ch1nc ;::uns 1 ci thor the Thor.(J6on Subno.chine G1..m or £\: Chinese copy of tht~.t 1-rc:.s.:-.Jon. Cr::ntrr'I'y to the "_)rrct1ce 1n th0 ~crth.Korcnn unite, ~rhero Soviet T.rerDons arc- fU.r~1sho~1 throughcut, no report vms recc1 vc(l. lt.rhich 1nCttcntcCt thr-.t · the Chincco troops vhich o;_:yposc::'>.: tha ~;1vfe1on C .. ur1nc- this ;_)eriod were e.rmctl w:1 th Soviet sr:w.ll nrns. In aQ:-Ji ticn, _1~ onch· attack n[vinst cur ~)cs1t1cnS nn(l ~:Jrcbnbly ste.nc'.c .. rd t-11 tr.in the Ch1nes€l E),ttnck tactics; ·the:rc "\me "n in1t1o.l e,ssc.v.lt anc-: 1nrutrat1on rroup 'tthich cr~rr~.e-d 6 to 8 ·he.nc1 r·rcnl'.c:.es but no small nrms. Tt.t'se hnn6. :_:-rcm\(1-cs -,,ere: :)ror1om1nantly of the concussior: tY:->" :-.nc.,. considor,~t~ to btJ less. effective thnn n frr.fS:ncntr;.tiOn crcnJ?.d.e usct unf-er the s!'.mE. circum£>t!'.nces. ~:Usc Nitl;_out cmall nrms ,.,ere ti:lt: Cl.smbors of_ th(; mc.clline p,m anc,. mortar unite c.nt'l the members· ·.of h~·iC!.quartors· ~.nc:. e€;rv1ce units. It·· is oc·n-ceiVetl.blc;.· :·too·,·:._ t:·w.t there tr1as :;enernll'y r. small rl.trr.Jbcr of. unt..mcc1 trCavs usCe.. ~n the cutset for cc.rgo troops &.nr lnter err.ployeCl. r;.s re)lr.ce::1cnts for front line lossos. ~\~eBpons for tl-..cse l•rou16. bo D.VC'.iicble on the b~ .. ttlcf'ioH'.. Ch£>.rGctcr1~t1c· of ccch Chinese un1 t onoountcrcc1 w.s the ox'trcnw C.111c.;;;ncc with '1Yh1ch they S'f-lvne::c.e. battleficlt,__,l~cE>pons Dnc1 r.m::1;un1 tionf both frof,l their clNO {end. as l.,rcll fl.~ :rrbm enemy <'l.cf.".Cl anC. t-'TounC.cl.
f.. I-t~·wobcn:t. L'ocP.tioq_ nne :-01R·.::os1t1on:
The mGvouont o:!" the Chinese ComI:1unist troo~-,s bc:;: ... crc 'th0:~ ftrriVG(,_ in ~~crth Koren anO bccnrr.c ~n[t'.:="•l"' 1!1 c~:.ibr.-t Nith our troo;)s c,_urinr: thin l)Cric't lr. f' :·.; . .--,t;t:rr cf' strf'.te··ic ~onsillc'ritlon ~,~f:ich r-.:;v~r_ln · :-1.n ·.::nrly intent ~nt ;-llrn t'..c trk.:- ').<'r't in th~.~ h:'.ttlc r-:-r !:oren shoulc'. tb: r( rth iecr.-~P'ne fr.til b:r their >~t-rn nothodr.
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DECLASSIIliED
Korean War Project USMC-00101857DECLASSIFIED
['_:!c~ strcnt til. 'I'~l(' nC.v~ncc Chinasc e·lemrnte HllicJJ. :.):rE.cedeG. thu sovc.rt:l P..rr:li'9s -that s-tr_:.,od ·Gl"J.e coun. terof':fe:nei v e in ln t-e Povei:l"bcn hr<~ bf'cn nl2rtcc~ t_nt:. •,:ere on the r;IOV.f., acco:r0.1.J1- to --ll'l~Oncr tntcrl~ocat1oi1.1 ·f'!s r.t.rly ns ).l.t~_nst lGtl·,. Of' the ['f.vrncc C'le:nt:mts, +his' !)ivis:tC'n ·-•<>;s o<);>OB:JCl in N-rly l'cv 2mbc:r -1:~':' tho 124-th ·Di vie:lon of' tlu;:! •l£nC. .t'..r;;ty, ..;:-th F'·lcld Army 1 PhGi'J th{·t A~r:ty UE'.s f'..p~)e~rently asslf':n·:-e. tbG nis·sion of blocklntr the rr::oet fnvor.r.ble e.m.i_ .likely f';~-'>•ro~chcs to t~1c Choshin e-nd Fus.:::n FiesJrvoirs until such :t;1r;~p ns the Chin.e,eo Co:::munist force vhi_ch vaE ~o lcc:C. thG all-out off'ensivo. E'.c;ainst thr! t.rl\ For·ccs cov.lc1 clos-:: 1n Nol~th Ko:r·ea.
Tb)so ini tiv.l Chinese Cor.L01unist tl'OO~)S,, flem.:nts of' t-,•hioh -hp.c~ sts.r:ct1 st::.c'-?l.en' coi.mtci'a.ttn.r·-ks e.:_:t:lnst tho 9th _i..rmy front -~;~'fore :._)u111:1[ out of -co::te.ct e:.n-:-1 othor cle:mSnts of "f.rhich o•~')Oscd the advt.nc-:-:· of tl:.r:. 7th Enrincs tot-IC.rcl Er-t:fl'ru-r1, ~·£re out of .. th~ bt~.ttic-'·Tisc CCii' 4_th Fj_clc! i.rmy, cl.ispQs(!d in l1nnchuril'l. bo-tt fllonc nne'_ just to the l'car of ·the Ea.nchllrinNorth .Kcrcn 'border. Thr: 42nd Army of thr.t f'lc·ld ·C~.rmy H~.s located in th~ .Hcilunr: ~rcv~ncc ~n J 1.!ne 1850, from- ·tJhioh they ,.., rc or4cre(l. in Aut L'.St to TunFht,ra, Lis.otung ?rov1noc, 1.·hcr..:.i em i:;tcns( >Ol1 t1cnl tre ln,inG 1~ror;re.m 1 -rn.B tm;" cr~ tsh:m, r·.--·~)r_rentlv to cond.1tion the Chinc•BO rolt'lCrs .. ;:,JntallY for th,e expected ··>art:icf-:_)e.tion :tn the t-:-orth Yor:>l'n· tlef'onso. The Chinese trco-)o 1.!C:l''t. tol\5 t:tt ,thEit point the.t _U.S;· :forces '.Jt.r(; -.-~ll:rc~t'tllf to"Hr0. the Y.~-~lu. ·,uvcr ;::mC~ nlenned tv ir!Vf'C. c 1-l.:P.nchv.ri.:t. Tl1.r;~'- •.-r0r,'l n.l s::. fiwtruc teG. the-:; the. Chinc:se ·t.mlts t~•oul·:=l lmvc to cn:J.nt South Korcun, Jn:)u:r..l·-se, Chlnt:·s•~ l!nt1or:::--11st~;: r:.nQ_ .:...r.tcricnn .tro'):_)e, P.nf -~htt F'n~· Cl-.. 1JFBC solC.icr: .surrenC.cr1r.r: vot~lc'. be- sub~ ~ot to 1mrM:c.lif'.tC C~ ecr.:~itr·tici-1 J~r f'.1.s U~~ Cf'::;>to·r's.
?clloFlnt this ~:-orrio:l of trr,inint_:, the ·12nC: -~rmy, co.'\1posc·d. o-r the l?.4th, l25th rn·3, 126th. Jlv1slans, crcss-o(l_ tlro Yto.lu F.1vor nt -Ch1P-.n, ll.r.ncJ·~m·1a1 (HEm:,_JoJ1n,- North Korqa) nbout. zo Octobar 1950, on foot, encountering, l'ccorCI.1nc:. to ;:n::-ieoncre,- otb·rr 4tt~ Fiold Arm~~ .units. :novfng in the BFllW (1irect1on, ~heY then -orocecc~.od on foot r.cross th(' mountr.-.1nous terr.?.ln ·bc.:tu6cn .tl:~c- YFtlu TI.ivcr nn(. tht Chosr.,in :tcscrvoir, ·trnvclinr. for si:-" ·n1chts·. Frisoncr. 1ntcrr9rntion ant. unit 1D.cnt1f'icr.tion incUcatcs the.t ,.1thor at Chnnr-Jin or Kvolr::ul--ll ·north nt' .thr:. ChnRhi"'- 3.""cRI"'1"Vn1 ,..._ tho- i26th D1vis1.on turnct to thn- ;,;;.t -wi:~rc -cic-. ncnt·s took qp block1n·:~ po,·a1 t1ol1B in the· vicinity· of tho F·uson P.cscrvoir r·-lom~- n·-ra"r:-·.ch~e. from the· SCL1.th thCt "-'OUl(, DT'obn.bly hr'V~O- ~:::-n :..ts.cc1. if !IF troo})s h_,~c, crrrir .. Cl. cut oricinc.l )~.r'lUt for ccntrol of tbi's Co!1c.r}~-1 nr(·.:... .h.s th~.: Gi tur·tit7!! ( ov .lo:)cd
in the st.tocecc11ng :~C.ys; tho only !Jl\ movement· -1n the F'uscn locrlc wf'.s by lJo'".tro lB- t.no the l28th 1-'C.s n .. wcr onft-~·od in .<:1ny c:r'C!'nizc(i i'.Ction in tJ.c~t vicinity. ':;he U.S. 7th Infr.ntry,Divic.ior: rc:~<':~tc:: th;::; cnptur'c of scvc:rf'l.l ::,n·!aonc:-·s ncrth\J st of the Fur..:n ;~cocrvoir l.rl:o cl::b·c.c~ to 'be _,.,rem the 126th ·Div1B1-':ln, cmd strP.,:"('~ors C<:'.:JtUrJc1 r,o:no ti:nc lt:'.trr by :Jur lln1 tB t.t E.t!J1.ru-_rt iC:.ontin.v:: t11C (l_ivlsion l'S 11C:.Vinr· bcon ~'1S-)0ELd ilCE'.l' t;1,:) Fu.scn 1\c-scrvoir.~ ·· -
At th.c sr.mc tirr.e, :!..r..t~ !n October, the. lZ4th Div!si.'Jn continuc.C. c11rcc1:;ly southPE(rc!., r.~ovinG throur h ;~f' :·0 ru-ri, Koto-ri, Chinhl'.nf·-.,.ni i_nc: to n :-Jcoitlon- juot below SurJ.onc, Hl'".!£'rc.- it r.ct up ~)osit1ons cc:lclllr.ta~ to bloclt·-r..ny nortl:'.t<·1_r( t·dvcncc o:r ur: trooos to,Jl'.rD. tt:.o -Chcshin ?.cs8rvoir tnC toFPrc'_ tl:.C :,o,~rf'r rylr::mts whicl: 1:crc locf'.tod c.lons tha -rand to Ha[:'f'.ru-r1. It uoulcl. t:".ppe>:ar, f'rom poectbnttlo· r:.nalj'Bis· of cner.-:y r.:ovor.i(~nt, the.t the _42n0 Ar.'1y 1 s- m1sa1on i-.'fl.S to holC up our f'CI.vr.ricc:· as 'mu.ch CI.F possible 1H:·ric-:1nt2,· the arrivr.l of tho riwin C!Iineepbody, - ·
. . . ·; ', _, ' .:·. / •i .. ' .
. ·'Also· mcvinf at~ this se:..inc. time ·w!ts the 125th Division vh1ch moved '·to-'.':-th$-.eouth~-.'~St frr:.~' tl1~- Choshin Reservoir areA. uPon· arrival of the ·}2n;;_ Army r.t ·that point. LRt·Qr 1dcnt1f1cd n'-'ainct eth Army units north of.Tokchin, the 125th hr_C, in the rnc'nnt1mc, --moved. somo of 1 ts clcmonts soP_thrmst froQ. Yudam-n1 Cl.oHn touurd Chc?nt_:-n1 c.nc'. Sr.oh£>n[_.'-n1 1 ~·~hero blocll:in[' poe1 tions r.cc-:'l nRt movement u~-, tli.;:>.t ~-'romincnt np::_Jronch 1t1ore ['.csur:1cd, Once the 12-:,th lJiv1s1on ~~rns Criven -bn.ck tc,mrc"_ the no :roth nnO. 1 t p:r-o'~cbly bcc<UYJc. np:-_)c.ront t:1nt Ui\' foPocs uoulf'_ net m;"Jv.:. r.lcn£: the.: Cllrnc-ni - Yuc'_ar::-ni rcutc 1 th.J 125th l:1v1,s1on movc.G. .vcst:T.r:-:_ to r.ic1 in the ..:--.olc:y of th0· 8th .4.my units uc·vin[ u, in th,~.t sector. This move '})y t!1e 125th 1·ms to bC follouc:t shortl:' by the rci-J .... 1n1nC 01-visiOns cf the 42nd )~rmy P-S it shif't0A e0uth r.ncl 1-rcst of the Ch:-shin Rc:ssrvo1·r arce. rncT v.rca rol1ovcc1. of its responsib111_t1os by tho atlv.cnt o.f ·the 20th ·.Ar.ny f'r'JlmCL 20 l\~cvembcr 1950.
The ?th !-1n.r1nos, in movinG 'north.,rt.rd nlonr:; the, Hrunhung-HF.~a.ru-ri RX~s·, first c·ontrctoc1 ohc 124th D1v1e16n just _south. of SlfG':on~::, lfhrrc the h_r..r_vicst f1~;ht1.ng took. plnce 1 'n.s .tho- l2'.!.th trio(1 C.etcr:nin~dly· to hr.lt cur. -advt.nce. The .CI.1-v1B1on 1s cone1c".~rod ·to 1:-"VC- boon v.lrtu~llY ,C!ocim~tod. ~rior to· its tctnl·Yithdro-•c.l ·to the nc-,rtl-i·' by .. tho rno·rninG of .7 ~bvcnbcr.. The romnnnts of the 124th F.nC, f'E 1.-Tf:'B l."'tcr 1cf'.rncC. 1 olc-mr·nts of' the 125th I'ivision, vhich hr.c, !npv,;::l!. in .to cover
DECLASSIFIED
Korean War Project USMC-00101859
"
DECLASSIFIED
tl:c~ ,_,itl-fri'vpl in the ('vent of -,ursuit by our for•cos,. tr<Jl·J bf'.ck th:r.oo.eh'.Hq.-:r.r-U-.r1 t'.nc"'-· Yu.:~f'-:tlni. Yuc,l'!TI-n1 1 on ·tho _l•!cs:t;;;;rm:rJot :1.Qint · pf tt.C' Choch.in F.~s~rvoir, ~-,as· th.o 1mportr.·.nt .ror:.t · junction to\:rn 'l.rhcr\:'. th? Glomon.t s of.' the l_';2nt .'\r.-.-:y ~!Cr"C rcl1l"')V ud._ by thG' 2Cth ~rm~'- :f"l't E:b Ch1n-0SC Conr.:unist t.roc~)s -frcr.1. "the 9th f.rCl:-,' Grou~) of t!lo 3rC F1cl{1_ . .:..r~.~y, rtho _h:-.(~ juet .crosecCf t~lC Y".1u Riv-tr tr-: lt-.unch th2. l.'.ll-cut Chin€'60 coLul.toroffoncive:,
• .:..f, :!rcvioti.siy str.t~·rl, the 3r"- F1clc1 A.rrr.y h-""C: bt;(m st~tion,)f l'.t Shr..n~·~hel ::turin£: the 8L'.W.:,cr mcntr.s :n·o:~)['.r'.::c1 tc lflLmch rn ::\."nlJh1b10u& nssc.ul t q_:r.inst F0rmr;sf', ~he r.':\")lc,ly -:., ot ':!l"'iC'rntin[ Cr:mr~unist ')OBi t1on in Y.or3e mr.-Jc cbvir.ns the nccc: for f'.C'-.c.i.i t1 onnl ~ roihforc U:i. nts r· n(; 1 t PHS· _unaucsti:)nE'.~Jl~r {n- this __ connoCti')n· thr.t the 9th Ar·r..1y Gr0u;:.- 3:i•C' F1 cld ..J •. rmy, "bc:cr.m 1 ts ::J--vcr.lvnt frcm th€; Sho.n~·ht11. r.r·::'n l"P'1unr1 .. tho.? l0t~1 of So:Jtcr:lbcr toc\l"Clrc1 Eccnphurir., Frls')rit:rs etntcc'1. thct. tlloy •.pre tole. initir,lly tho.t they ucrc coin[: tc: Mnnch\.lr12 for trn1n1n[~ Lr.tcr, on the. movo into l'orth KerN•., :>risoncre sc.1<' the,t thc.y '·~erE: cr·:· eoinl:-· the Yalu }~1 vor ·1n or::':.cr to c1cfcnd l·:rnchur1n ardnst -UN inva~ion. \.:he fo!'','nrC. clements of th€: 9th .Fiel<.'l Amy nrr1vc0. in Shr.ntunc; F-rovinoe. ·EJ,roulld 13 S6)ton"bcr (l.nc,. 1n1 t~.n tee n trc.1n1nr :?rogra.rn that lrr.atl·C: .•. c.~ fnl· E\S :.>r.rt cf tl1e 20th Army .·rras. C(lnc:.rnccl, :for C'-))roxi;:·cLtcly one c.nc1 r;-_ hnlf mo1,1ths. i-...rcunr,_ l~ 1-Tcv-=.J:ll-Jcr mov.sr:-.{:nt 1nto North Korsr. ~.t Chinn, ::rmchurl£", (E.-n:_)')j~.n, l\krt~1 Kor.J.~,), •ree bc€:"un ,,1 th the> 60t':"'. Divif31o.1; ?.Otl". n-~:~lY ro~J::':)"'toc1.ly_ in thE: lese.. ?.r1o0n::-.rs· Sf'lt.._ ttw.t th~: ... _olomDnte 1nvolvoc.1 in tho cr:iss1nc; f'.t th.c;.t .timq_·v.:rc the 8t~1 (?) ·1 9th, ~Oth, · 13th nrt~1_ · tlJ"·:)' l.miQ,ent1;f1 ce.. army c~r:::up 0.
':'hu r::~·nprr:l r::~utc· of r:tovc:;-oe:nt f'f thor.o forces l.'r:e f.'rr;-r!l :-.-~~n;)ojin vir-. Ktt.::1~:_r::re e.nc,. t(~ e-lt::cr the ~r·e-t c.r lilos:-. sif .. c :::f .th;;; -Choshin :..cr.crv•.)_ir, clc::,:.:cn11it:J.f' on .the inC~iv!.C~unl un;its invoJ.v cG.. ~h~ 2.0th ..... rmy m0vcc, intr; ·Yuclf'ltl-ni in force o.rc·unCt 20 H..-:wcr.1b~r. It 1;J.:":S tn that P .. rcn thr.t the lRrc:c ecel c 1 cc:ord1nntc¢"L cou:J.tt'rr.t -'::"<"-clt vr.s bc~r-un on tho -n1t:ht of ·27 ~1ovomtor. A c1cto.ilcc1- study cf tht mover.lcnt of the 'divisions 1;; tht·.t crmY ie. outl·1nci'. ln the follo\lln[' nortier. of tl::ls l'rnort. It· is hi[hly cic;nif1cc.nt. th['t nu:-.trrous :rc'!)~rts fr0r.:1 bsth civill.r.ns f!i1cl clvll1<1n c.r:-.ntc 1.·r~-.ro rccC'!J.Vcd. nl,::li.1L' o.'on.tt this tir~lC ~-Yhich. ~JllCOd hCFIV~! _OllC:l";\y Cr):lCcntr~.tionEi 1n t!11,. cr.:::n ,_rest nne. c~·ut~1. cf ::n~r 1·1$?.. -:J'1v111r:ns •.1h0 hn.;,:1. t:C'cn ·victi;::e. 0f the Ch1.'.1cs-.:~ (:~::'.t',n~1_.for.
'~est cf- K0t0-ri' Pnc1. S'juthr.rost. of Hr."~.[-~f'ru-ri, nll Ci.;Jr.:tr!bLitE:c"L to the ;l1C-t!.l!'C Hh,.c-h 1nc."'.iCt.toC tho on(.·.:~y 1 s str0n~:- cU}_1ab111ty nn:1_ probtblc ·intention rccnrc11nt~· r ct1on· t·J out ')Ur 1-isn nnd to stnco coun~err .. ttncl..:s t'.gn'10at our forcc:s. All this \'tu; n•:-~~tly sun:.mcd up by 1nformro.ticn f:rt:":m throe p1: s C11Dturcc1 by the ?th l~n.rinos· c t Yucl r-.r~Jn1 le.to 25 l"ovclilbCl' 1950 11h<n. they sale' that the 20th ....1.rrr.:y ha0. movoO. scUth1vcst of Yu(~ . .run--n1 in~~cnt en n~Gtr·.ck1n~- n_LU' lon~- su~J~JlY lines P.nc1 the forces ulc:m; thr.t ro1:1te.
:Sr. ttl c. (3) Spccif1cCh1hcsc·Ccm;.lUn1st Ol:"<lcr. o:r
~'orr::cr- 5t.li colur:.in o.:f the n0rthot . .St Dct!ocrD.tic United Army, it vns rcfl.Gsi['m:ttcc1- thl' 1.2nc1_ .Ar,ny c~urin[[ the rcnr:ral rcorr,·an1zPt1on in r\:V or.:bcr l 'Xf'·. The l:3th, l•ith- nn.:~ 15th Divisions T,r0r.: roc'.csirnnt.cC -as tho 12'1th,. 125th c.nc1 l26th Divisions;· In tho s:orint: ·of 1949, s-:::>mc of the foru,::r· Ohinose Net1·onnl1at uho surrcni'crc<1 to the. Comrunists at Fek1nc in Jc:.nu._.-._ry 19<19, 'wrG l"eorcan1zcd ns the: 35th In::l..clJenc'l.cnt Div.!13ion nne. nttFchod to th.o -1-2nf. ).rrny. LYccpt for the 35th Ir:clc--x~nc1cnt Divislcn, the (2-nc1 i~.l-my ·is mnc1G UD ·of ·.)crs0nnc1 ori[innlly of the l:noopondonfD~vision of the East L1P.on1ns M111tc.ry "iatric~, .;rbicl:l .,,,~s tho bcokbbno of. the 8th Column -boforo 1 t nas rec"':.csit;natcc1 the 5th Column;· Th6- mr~in sc:urcr o:r nmn~)O"t-rer l<J'f',s the South L1E!.on1nF. P.rcf' .• · This unit took pert in tho sotf!o of 3eu,oinr:·ch1ch durin[ l~PY 19-_:?; the 1?c-ttlo of HE' . .ichqnf.,'. C'.ur1ns December 19~~.?; f'.nd in the LicoyrcnG £'ci1:l J..nshv.n lJe.ttlos of Fcbrunry_ 194€. After ·tho rcorta.ni znt.ion of November 19~8 11 the 12.nC . .n.r.r:~y · e.ccom":" ~)t.nicd the Fourth FiolCL Arrr.y in~o. _ _.Ch1na· •-1h.orc 1 t took :;:·r rt in the ce-_ntrnl nnCl S.Puth Chine cc.m~;t.i&ns. It movc.c-1 north•·'E'.rCI. 1'I-om north·•r.rc1
.
frcm :--··en[ tunc ~-:>rovince c1ur1ng July l9EO. ~l!c 35th Inclcpcndent Division vas not 1t:1.e!}tificc-: ,.Ti tl~ the -:~2nc~ Army in f.iorth Kor,:m. .Lt is ~.-n~ob[_blc thc_t these troops v~t:I:'C intce:rEJ.tcd· into tht: rc.~·ulnr .:-~1 v:teions of ~;he arny E:S Cr'.SL'.Pl l"C'~)lf'CHrnte..
-. occusc of ovcrst:cenet:1 in· the ~12m"_ -~ rmy of Chine so solc":.iers 1 aocor~11n.:.- to ·;lrisoncr intorroi!tt1on1 r,1~.ny of tr_e tioo·)S uorc ut111zcU nE- f~l"r.lcrs, fC~.ctory uorl~C:r·s E'nd lab:;r.:rs • ..::.not!1or rcnscn for such usc l)f m111tr.ry pcrG:Jnnel vc.s thr. ncutc shcrtnrc of civil vorkc-rs r1ur t0 :~~rcvicus ,__,f'_r p.<:>"$Unlti(s~ J'.To tU~f'l:l0ns ncrc in th~, htn;J.s of' t~oo:;s nt that timo, st_,_ch ,._,c['.l~ons l'cin[ ccmtre.ll~' locrtot1 in storf'.£:0 i.".rc2.s. On '31 Aucu8t 1850J tho -~-2nc,_ .. -\rmy ,.,f'(;
or~~orc(. to initi.:_!.tc oxtBnsive militr:.ry r·.nC: po,.., li ticr.l training. Bm~!ht.sized in tho tr£.1n1nc :)r·c-~·rf'.m t,rr.rc C'.cf.Jnsivo tectics nt;t>.1nst both "i'rcntr.l nnd flrmkinc g+,tncks, nlonc '~-11th f'.
·-1hysicr.l con(i tioninL :Jrot;ram,_ all of which lr.stcc"l. for f'-~-::~:roximntoly a f.lf'nth e.n(l a· hr.lf. ImJCc: 1ctcly U"Oon ccssc.t1on of this tm1ning the· ~.::2m:. )_rmy cntr[linc-C. :!'or th~ I1anChur1q.n fcrc"lcr.
.h.ssicr.c(: the: i.i.iss:tcn of r.v. r!-:~;;£ .. in,:-·. l'.n.::i. ui:)inc ol:.t ::;uP forc .... s f't Yu~l:'r.:.-ni nnO. O\JVo*'ing "ur !tiS!: in o-~·ny ~:.lrcos et the. on;":.1(.._ ti~-:-·'-', th.c..
TWW 28 -
DECLASSIFIED
Korean War Project USMC-00101863DECLASSIFIED
20th .i-~rr~:r b:-:::rc tho Drunt of t:"1J iU['.Ssivc Chlncsc Con;:1Unist countc:roffcn.sivc 1.Jh1ch •crt>.s.le.unchcc,_ ct:C>cinnt this Division r.m1 tl.UG ,bn."!':tnl1 ~nr of th,; ?th Infrntry D1v1sisn fn the Chr-ohin ~;,cccrv::-1r ·':'.rcc. on ~"? r.n-:~ ·2e-J~"'Vc:m"bo:r l95C. ,Cons1et~.n:· of i tf1 :t'O[Ul~.r rl1Vi£.1:ns, tho 5eth 1 69t'h E.n(i ·6(:th f'n<'~ r.n .. cYtrc: :"-.1vis1cn, tho 8Sth, tho :ZOth Ccr~>s hr.t cro~scd the Ynlu ~-liver ovor r. p<.Jri,c:c1_ of -r.cv·crr.l ,: c.:rs Ercunc-:.- ;LC November, D.n<1 hat: m£>.rch.::c1 on frot- nt n1Lhts throuch Y1.c,_ruJ-n1 nn.c.L l' f'cv miles tc th,a S0Uth, SQUthwoet ll.tl{• ·,SOUthcnet. Hhcrc they tock u~:; ~Jositions to El."''t.it tho e.tt~ecl< de. to., vhilc other. clements· .of the 9t.h A!'r.ly Grcu}J followec"'. them into. !'br.t.h:: ~crcn '£1.nc1 into -the .Cho.Shin nosc:r-vc-ir- r.rC:ln. ?riscnorr. r.nc1 civ111nns tal~ of tho cc"'.v0nt cf ncu· t·rcoDS from tho north .fntD this arcn suvcrnl--d!".ys. Ft•lor tr:;; tl:c- l'.tt['.Ckj rtports B(.1C. they w:ro nc>r.r troo;_::-s, •.•i th hich rnon2o anC crcc.t t~.lk about >rhnt they intcnc1cc1. to do- vhen they rcflchod- Fons£'.rf.~ A civilian cuiG.e rcportoc1 thot the_y ·had-. moves' 'into YuccEUU-n·i on tho -n1t:h~ of ·20"l•!ov·crnbor,· 'r.cil:1cvod · · othor:CCF· 11n1to wh1on hM .bc<;n. tht'.ro '(bol1ovo<' ·. t~ be cl cments of< the.· 42q<i ~Army··~.nd c>roblibly· tho. l24th' r.nd ·l26tl1. D1v1:Q10l!S); ~.nO.· hEl<'• >ro·rn now· nne' rovor-sible r:;rcen an<'.•·>lh1tc· uniform)i; ·· Elements of the -20th Cc,.,;>s hr.i'. unqucstionobly·'bccun. •.rr1v-1nc: in this locnle &s oe.rly e.e 15 ·Novembo·r, accor~.-inF to c:tv1lie.n report~. ··
The first- to ·bE col!'..m1ttec1, the .89th·-Divielon uc.s r.esi;::noc. the miesicn of eetabl1sh1n€'· rc!\c. blocks F..lc-nl? the rcr,d .from .He.r;aru-r1 to Yudt'.m-n1 to hole"!. Ul), tho f'.C1Vencc C•f the ?th l·1nrit1Cs. Accorclin~· to e cnpturc0. cn-~·my -documont, J_JroDE;.bly uri tton by an o-~fic.:r en .2-~ Novom-CGr, it ~ms 11 tho rcsl)onsib111ty of ·th) €9th )1v:ts1on to chZJclr.tho cncn:y en~' r.nothClr -~ivieicn t0· r.C.vr.ncc fonmrc1n. S.'c r-.ccom}~lirr. this .r.:iss1on; t.ho 8Sth act-u:,) nu.r:;crous ~r:.rthon, lor: r·nt lL""-VY rocJ~ T'.Of'2 Glocl-ce, both b-:.-:-:by tr-:j_J:)~:~;- \d th hnnd ('r.JflL(~C clusters r-nc1 1incc1 1'1 th ::x~:lo ~1 v ~s. Tlw en amy E',l sr; blc,,, c.~rc.tcrs in th1.: ronc'-b.::.:'- • .A1; th.; nt.r'lo·timc. tho £:.'th :01 vi s1on 1-n·.s e1 s•;o occ1.ni eel ,,_ri th the Sl)ttin:;: u:) cf' Glr.borr>to ontr.:mchr.~.::::n.te alone tho "hi[h ::rol~nC r.stri~~c th0 ronC~ lcr-ding tc· Yuc"..!'m-n1 1 ,fi thout ~ny ·f'tt,;r.lpt to Etae_.·c r~ defense r..c;n.inst ot.~r nt.vP.ncc fron thcr.1. They f()p~rontly :figured in the lonr-rr'.n;_;o CCii' _·_:Jlnhs for the .. :::nvclo~)mcnt c.f cur fcrc.::;E .!'.t YuC.nm-n1 since t.hoso Sf'.mO entrenchm-ents vcrc 1:,ut tc cxtChsivo ·usc r.s th£: Chinese C}Jl)OEtcD oU:r ovcntut>.l -_wi th?:r£1.~ml f'rom the YuC:.f'm.-nl P.r.:r., It 1 ;r_s n! ?.Z !;ov:::m1: e:r "'hem the :f'·i'r.et cor::tr ct \>.~1 th 'th.:· -89th Div:tsicn vns mC'.to by tho lt-t Bn, ?th 1-f,..rincs, r.e t:1c cn:::my "oq;r-.n t--: C'.cf~·mi. 6(";L:c :-f tl1c .~';.:rn~r T·:,~· ~ t·l'ocltc. h0 ho:c1 constr·uct,c'. Ii'3ntificc,t1cn · f o:-.c 26?th Rcr:;ir.lCnt· ur.s r..:c-.c1..:> on the; 23rC ;.r~1.:::n t1rn' iF"s· 1-T(:l"..J
en;_: turoc1.·. :r nt err~~ [-"t."l-;1;: n r::v c.t.l _;(!_ · ti·,o' ::.,rob:--· bl o
- 2? -
DECLASSIFIED
I
Korean War Project USMC-00101864
"
DECLASSIFIED
. ., .... "' 11':.,ccncc cf the 'lt:'1cr• thr.-;:, t1V1o1onG o,·.-;cr.·_,hcr.J in the c cn::::r:--_1 n-:::-:-r 1 .~.nt th ·_; fr.ct th.:-.t th.2 lOth .Arr.;y Gr P:J hrc~_ ontcrocl F:Jrth [c-,r·.:.r; _r.t tl'o sr.no tli:1c as the 9th. This ini tiP.l clr.b ;·hct the £::-th Div1siol1 nets fri .th-::~ 20th .... ruy PUB n0t teo I:CCL:)tnblc Cue to c--.~1 previous or-:''.c:r · 6f b.~ttlc lists cerryinc it c..s a ""''''bcr of thO· 30th ;.rrny. Sub:3caucnt li_r;:cuucnts nnt. 1nt.crrv~:.:-.t1nns hF·.vc c-:-nfimcc":. such nn s-rcnnizntic'n aS result of ;)ooci".)lc cr .. rlior (i~solut1cm cf tho ·30th .H.rmy.
1 ccui~)ncnt P.nf• 1?-tr.:ncth is ccns1der:"J~1 tc be llon:1o:.l.
Pot onou~h 1n:rcrmf'.t1on is n:vn1lnblc on this r~rmy in crt .. .:r to [::r.in r. true picture of 1 te c:::rm~)lctc orc,~:r of bc,ttlc fl.U(l to na.vcrsc Cl)Crat-1nc cnnC!i t!ons unacr which frie-nc'lly units ':!C:re fichtinc trhcn in ccnt6Ct ·pith un1ta or this r.rmy, It io thour;!1t the.t the r.rr,oy cons1st~Cl of :f:ur Clivisir::ns, t~·'~O Q1y1s11Jns of "'rhich 't-.tcrc oomnl ttc:C .. \;•est c:r the Choshln REscrvcir- r:nC. ti·?c on the Ct'.St Si{\.£; f't[.'ninst clco,.~nte Of' the r.S, 7th Infcmtry DivicL:m. The f1jur <1..1v.is.1on!3 Perc the ?gth, 80th, Blst an~ ~Oth ?1v1si,ns.
2hc 79th Div1s1r:-n .took !=)rrt 1n tllc counteroffensive the.t uas launched on 2? November gt :~uc:...-.n~nl vhcn it !'.ttr".cl-:erl tho northorn pcl"lfficter c.tr'.inst c-l~~m<::ni;e af the 5th Mar!n,-es. The Elttr.ck cor,t~.rnl(C~. hcnvy nne close throUijhout the niFht <1n~: the next t.ny, [lnd vr.s· conCI.uctcCI. intcrr.t1ttcntly t;:l.r(;L'l.[":h l ~..iccc::J~-:>cr. ..:lll ·three rc;_im.:mtB; ?C!\ 236 l'.nC. 23?, "tJcr0 h 1 ·:mt1fia<,. In: at.c11t1nn, tHo qncstionr'.l"bc. 1tcntif'icLt1ons t•:.rc ·::!."tL1C tlonr tho ucst flank of the 7Clth Division ~.nc":. nc•rth"2Gt of Yuc".rm-r11~ The Bth l1r.r1nce: t?'jJt' ~Jr!ssncre Fho clfl.imcc; tc be f'r<::l the 28lst Di'\ris1cn PnCI. the :Jlst Div~ sioa. In vicP cf tho orec.niznti0n nf tho 2?th ~~rr.!y 1 it iP bolil'V:'':..thr:t r.t lcest .')nc r.;1·~~ Y)rot2bly the r.:-:..1;-int.rr c:f the-se ·~rie·:H1cors c ctL!,·lly Perc nc·rr.tcre of tho;:. Blat;.' thot.Tht t-: be in t!l.c: EJ[lr.lC :_;cnore.l <"'.ref' ,_dth the .?9th.
In ttti tion 1 the r£-st ·Jf tha ·2?i;h .r-~rmy is considercc":. t~ hnve bc.:Jn comf:!'!1 ttod:.1!1 the 1n1 tial c.tto.clcs e.[:ninst U,S, .<rmy units ·or.st of th~ C~1_oshin :::.cservoir.. :::'ht 80th J..o1v1s1on vr.B 1C..,:mt1-f1ccl. in thnt lQG£\lc anC' J)rote,bly f'. eocene:. ~1v1-cL.'n ::)c.rtic1pnt;:!L1 in ~r:rt· ·?t' ·t-h.:l f'.ci;1ol'l:.. In the fin,...l r.n-8-lysie_, 9ricr to the co.m:Jlctc Hi thr:.rn!.7{'1 ,~f' !!P !i'cl"c::e .. tht' ?~:?tl1. BOth t.".nC. 8le-t DiviG10ne Frr.:: 1r.·c1 t1vrly l-~c-i1tif5.(~(1 in the Clci( ::cn~--·--Lr.-:hL:n~' fl.rr-p. L~ t~·]is .cr.sc, ttc fourth t.ivininn -:-f t:-.c 27th--the 'Kth .... 'iv·1s1cr; -- ie r• __ .ili':1rl_ct"nr'' t:~ hr-vr- ·h .. ,,n·h.-~1·"' 1n ,...~.,,:'I"Vr- This (~ 1 ~i;i~~ :-·f'.~ . ~-,.1~1~- tl~.; ~P.J?tJ~-r.r.,:·· 7·~~ ·~i:~ ~ -~,;~ ~ • cri t:in-r~lly n :x·rt ~f' th~· 3Ct.!.: 4rr:1~· 1:').~~ ··:·· 8 ~ 1:t!~ct cr.: tr. the '?7th .-.r~.:~t f-~r tl~c :.1ur;)':'GC ,-;f .~;hle o:J.(rf'.-tlcn .
..... ,.. '
-::
DKC:LASSIJliiW
Korean War Project USMC-00101868
•
DKCLASSIIll ED
·"'·· • L ••
3-~-:·_th Tr-nl{_ Unit p-tl'.r.th~nc·:-f'l·hk 'l'r·'::n~b.)( ·
~his t.".hk un1t, N~'rth-Kc'rc~~-ri mr<ril~v-: ·t·m.1 -:·rcl--1 bly. ·n t..-.nk !\({"imdnt, ·l.,·t':a rtt',.,ch, .. t tt· ·the 1?.-:.:--r. CCF Divisi~n in -the f:.cf·c'nsc -1f the Su::;,~nr ."'.rce in OE'.i>ly !"'(lver.1ber.- :At. ·tan.'t ·tloe th( '34 4.~th h;J'!. cnly flva tv.nlts left- nnl~ r.l'1 five t;;r(:.rr· l1.cs~ trcym:. by our forces· prior -·tr:: t-ho V·1 tllC.i-f'J,·~-1 of tho ChlnC>se. · ·
Cr1c'1nnlly or;:10ri1zecl. 1.n July .l950,. tho un1 t c ·ns1stcc:. of six ccr:1:1nnics (nr.- battal1cns). There wert thrc;.; rifle coc.tryfl.n'iee !':ncr three tr-.nlt. c:.'i.!:-·:r.nlcs. .:..lFnys stnti~nec. in :tho HnmhunZ ara!t., tho unit tri th(.rcl.J tct-.'!l.rc1 Su<1ont; 1-1hen tho t:N Fnrcrs cnterer BP.mht.m~·. · ~hero·it joined u:? l<.ri th tho 12-.!:th ·ccF D1vis1oh. ~a result or· tho f1Fhtint:: there RnC: the •Ji th('rflt<al northvRr<l cr dosorti:m of its troo::>e, the· 3·!:4th .,,ae oryneic"'..ercd to he. v e be en bro!t<n u:> as " unit •
b. Enemy Tr.ot1cs.
(1) Gcnorr.l Cons1ilergt1on.:
~he oons1derflt1on of enemy t~ctioe wl thin the· ;x;r1ofl. concerned must bo "divic~ec"':. chronolocic~lly into three distinct l)hc:.scs in ... vol vinF toth r-!orth Koree.n E\nc~ Chino so Cnr.1.r.1unist Forces anc1. includin(:' o.n anP.lysis of the Chinese CorrJTiunist :)n both the offense ·and. c1ofonec. ~ncmy OiJCl"htioris O.Urin[;: the 1h1 tinl ::m.rt ot' tho ~1crio::·l!. ccvcrcc~ by this rt"~PO"rt u;.;re concr.rn~Jr" ui th those Perth Kc-r2r.n 1nci.i~t1c'!.u~ls nne.·: units ~"h1ch ·~'- rr by-p,s.sacC:. in the rel~·id fltvr.n·ct1 of : .. i·~. Forces ·t;:. the Perth, ,.,_nL1 v.·ho 1.,erc slo\;rly 1·!oi"'itin[:' thoir ~Tn~r intr;. the •;vnsan nrr.r. ::-n:! thonc.c n,Jrth,vr.rc"''. to rr·jcJn ·:tl1cr ~rorth J~oree_n units for\ r~Ol'fi'm1znt1Dn • Cu.tF>tr_n._:l.inr: E'.r.::-,n;:- those Fr·)ups were the 2.nd 1 5th £·nc1. 15th ~;K Diviaione:.,· tr.c first t".ro· of ·rhlch Fcrc trrnsiont 't·,rhlle tho 15th haC~ n:-x)r.rcntlv s0.tt.lrCi 1ntn f'. --)rrt!"l.£~_n~nt r;osition to r.;.f..it rL:rthcl' c~cv.::lc,pnent of the CCr.1munist. e1tnt.t1on;~ :;:..:. scccr:c1 .""!nt t:11rc'1_ ·,h['.SCS in this cone1c1(rt.ticn arf conc:;rnJd \'rith tho Chincs.o Communist ?ore us: tho ChinL'C{ W.JrC ini tie.lly. on the Cl.(:f:;nsivc in blcck1nt: :>osit1cns anC. thon nsswocc1 the -:::ffe:ns1ve in the c-..11-ou.t CCF'. thrust thr'J\.te;hcut nll :\)rth X orca.
(2) ~1 orth_Y.or:Crn Gurrrill"l:-. ?r,ctics:
~lu: .Jrlr:J.E~.ry Motive of thc_Jcrt.h Korcr<n {:"l..lcr~·11lns cnc·::unt~rC'e, in th.:- '•'-:msc_n:-lt~r,·JlU;.1[. r.r.:.~ Pf"\.G thrt ::::f r.:-j.-:1n1nt:: th.:. l-7C'rth l:orcr;n .:.:(.cnlcs rl.rr:::ly in the 1\crth. :=:oc-nc"":f'ry -:-;l.tjc0tiVCS-1·iCr'O th-:SD Cf hr.rrssln;_: rl).ic"'_s On" ep c·~nvo:rs r: n~~- 1notn.llPt1:ns1 nne,. fJrr.c;inc r0.1-:1s r>.,:_'r.1nr-t su·-'~~ly tr"'-ins, cr.nV·'::'YS, 1nstrLllf'.t1'lnn
~-'····-···
~::: · .. . ',•··
DECLASSIIliED
Korean War Project USMC-00101869
'
DECLASSIFIIW
= 9 •
rue"'. nC'.tivc villnccs. .hn l\i~_di ti·:nnl niesion trrs thr't of cncourr[ing Cc:n:nuniGt :)reanizat!on n.m-·nc the. sc villn~c s ccntcotco:l nne. the ro-cetr.blishinF of locnl Communist rule lJ."hcrc :)o~s'1ble.
Gucrrillr-. D'":vcffirnt fr0:n -:;c:lnt to ;z·int or.U~in.r-ll~r occurrocl for the rr.ost :.JPrt nt n12:ht in cr.clor to r.vciC~ c"~ctcc~ioJn nn~-l nttnck ~y VrY r-.1rcrr.ft. ),.ctivity c1.ur1nf; doylil!ht -h:>'urs l·rRs' lim~te( to the r.11n1r:mr:1 ncccseary ··f::r cxlstcncu.· Lnc.my troor :s sl cpt c"'curin(: thf t""..ny in tho hills or in oe:clmlcd villnccs. If, \Jhen r.1ov.:.m.cnt c1ur1ne-tho l1t1y by ;rcups "-'r.s undcrtekcnJ cuch movc-::lcnt occurrci E'.L)n[::_ ridt;ue whcro quick c=.c::Jlc.yi~lcnt tc cnc side or the ·riC.rc· or the oth~;.r
nllo.rcc1 8.c1.c"'..ecl. protfct1o:n ngfl.1nst r.ir attr.cks. Hovcncnt tnctica nlso incluCtcd the usC of c1vilL-:.i1 c~o tl--.os uc rn · ov ·:'!r. the un1for:n. Guorrilln tr.ctics Curine Eov(·mbcr bccnmc b:)lC-er; mov ~-mont c1ur1ng r1nyli;:-ht hours became th.: ~_:.:rc.ct1co nn,:l ,,:~s nccL'lcrr.tt;c1 ~ .!1.nc1 ')e.trols "Ore uscc1 c.ctively, both on tiH; mov,e am-;.. in ::.)osit-ion. to the fronts r,nd fln,nks.
r~orth KortE'.n cruerr1lla tl;'l.et1c·s 1n f.Onert:l cnvisionccl opc.rP.tions being conductocT b~, B!!'.['ll unite, usunlly of platoon e1zc which 1rn~r1J hi!:·h~ ly 2cbile, inconspicuous durins :!)er1oa..s c:f tr~.vcl, r.nc. strong enough tc carry out the .:'.VCr[ .. ~C (.L1crr1lln attack. The s0vorel instancJs of ['L~crrilla r..tt.r·c1:o- ft["ainat our forces ro-v of-'! led the _st.1;:.o ~;cnernl t?.cti-cs thrl')urhout, ,,,1 th i;lL·.:' ~:ri::wry C>Jnsi:!crf'-tirJn b~inG thf~.t of .r·.lmost tLssuroc-: n!ccoss, frC'f.l tl':,o encmy 1 s v1ch'}')01nt, '"lricr to the 1nit1r.tio·n of attRck .. His .nttrcks E-: ainat 1nRtallnt1ons \.T~re usur.l1:y ;)r:::CGC"i.Ctd by nctro1s or by cfl~)10nt'1.(:c nr:cnte \..rho- e•Jt!Cht to dotcrrr.ine the loct.t1~n of stronG nn~:- n,ze:l:.r;: points nne~ the ::.ro"tnblc strvn:;-th of Cl.of-:.nc11nc forcEs. ':'1-:.c HSC c-f S:;_Jics f'Jr th!r. ;_-Jurpose nns •-•1t~_ecnr('[:fl_ ,'~ue to th(' nccepte<.1. pros::.nco of 1nrJ.1rcnou::: ~)crsonnc.l thr~uch·-;ut uost FLre~.s nne' the lr.rc:c numbl'r of' C::~Mmt.tnist symp~thizcrs or
.-:tttr.c::, rclyinc h;:r-.v1ly U!JOn a1.ttcm~.tic l.'cr:xnsl hcncl r;rcnr.dcs, sh;.utin(' nnd confusion tc nllo,,r the:~ ncccss !ntc ::'tcf.:;ne.c :;,:oSit:!.rJns ... Such r_n D.ttnclt v.::.8 stclt_:IJd. v.gnlnst the let ~ri, let Hrrlncs, t.t :~ujo, '~hen the ;:,non~' r.tt!·c:tc/!. unrl.cr· cover of (1erl;:n.:ss on -~·;yr•)tcchnic ['l.nr ' . ..rhiGtJ.o s1:::nf'.le.. In· r-.tr,.i "tion t;c the nciB:..: r nt c:_·xfi.:.s1~-:n Ol"Cf.t\JC:. by the ['tt.r.:ckcrs in one c'l .. c.fonr:'l;;;- G:)Ct•)r, ,..,nether sc:tc·r rc;·_.-:'rt::::(. the •Jrcs·onct. of sovOr~ ::orth Korcf'.ns nhr.: ;)_(,<)(~_ ~r.~~lifl'h ·_-;.hrc.scs in ,n_n cf:f'Drt ta
· The f' s's0.ul t ~.r:-, e mo.cl.r first by n s~.r.ll nr! ... rn·:Jc.:r ,_,~x) t ... :-n~o[l_¢hct. ns ncar the ·,Jos1t1ons as ·,)osciblo ":Ti th hanf crcnr.r." Js uhil-o c-o·v·orca. by auton;.?ti c ~IC<"Dcns fire. T-his croUiJ Ime follo•ro'c1 Cv .r:-u·i:.!r;.. r1liD s vho. ch.f'.rc3Cl the ·dCr·:.nsmJ, s:r;rE'.yin[:· the nrce. u1 th Sub-r.tnchine gun five. Such r-.tt'r.clt.e. U(;l'C gcncrnlly ri-)n(l,uoteC:. "111thoUt tho 'benefit of r.n? rooc.rvc t-i1 th uh!'ch the enei!l~r mi::ht heve: cxplo1 te~. nny succ_eeSful br:':'i!'.kthr0ur:h4 ~his _snrnc procc:r:t.ure uas f0_llc,.act b~r the cncr.1.y in t'.n attnck r.€_:n1nSt the· 3rd Bn, let- !~r.1~1nce, at l·lnjon-ni 1 ~,.;h~n ·C:. [.:Ue::r:rillt. f.-..rc:o stt[CC~ rcpc<'tccl suicfclnl r.ssnults H['f1.1nst n·ur. J;-caiti:--no j r..~e;t be fer.._:: G_m,.ri be-fore vlthCr'['}J"in(; nf'tcr suffcr.i.nc hoav~r· losE-cs.
':he most rrcqut•nt nnc1 succea·sful enemy nttfl.ci~s 1frero r!!t.c1a !'.r;:ainet '1Ur convoys. The cncrny 1.a trctice ·on th:1s1 a·ccRS1ons VCl"o al-J!JJ st A.l~··r.ye the afl.mo. Fl'!vorcble hir;h1 ccr.lfi!<.'.nc~i:-tr tertnin wris choeon ns the site cf trw enemy's posit1oria along HSR 1s, Fore>rt.rned c!' the a~_-,:n•onch of oohvoys, enemy troops vculd e.llc:~- the lee.d vehicles- to panotrato dco!llY tbc roncl 'bloc_kint; positions before opening fire e.lcnr· ·the entl.rc veihiculP.r column "1th intcnBc iri2Qhin(' ~uh .. amn:ll arr::1s ailt~. rnort&r fire. To ~)rcvcnt suCcces:rul·passr.t;a cf vehicl0$.1 cr~.tef.e ~-rerc blO\Jli. fc.rth-ai" El.l0n(.: tho. ESR, for~inG tho convoy· not only to h&l t l::ut ....,, ... ....:--·+ ... +.,....,.,.. ".,...,"',.,...,!"~ nl 1 tho wl-lil A rh"I.:>'Y'I'Ii":"' nO'· ""-*OV 0.1~ ..., ......... <.C<•'-'"'-'•'-'1 ,..,_.. ........ ...- ••••-••• ""J. .. .,.•~•w-••r;;"
unc1cr enemy_ fire fro.r.1 E'.ll aiel. ca. '.Such- ronc1-block·attrclts wore atac;ed. along·h1lly or mountninous roc-,de thnt l'ero n~rl:-o\o.r ·SI.nC-. uinding-. In on~ lnst:uwo, £: clcel:.. rnvln~ was .the scene of' f'n nt···nc~r on.:~ rn'otor1zr·_c1·:J£".ti'bl, fr1th rnachin(; funs'· cov'rrln[ the c.;_))rof'ohos· fr.,m .. poaiticns hi~h in the 'cliffs. Variations cf roe.rl-blocl..: A.tteoks ,;,crt· nu..m::.rous. r-:or"Gh:ucat· of :~nmhL~nf.~, f' jCJ(:~-l :n1.trol nf tho let Dn, 5th l-~arinos, ·pns sto)~)cd by n rorCl bl-oCl>. one then lw., ... (~c;:tc·l1.t1onc thPown on toOJ· of' the ve:l:iclc e fr•:nt 'JOSitions 1n the ol1ffs- OVCrlnok1n[ the rot.c":.·... Zncmy t:rorY.)S then a.ssl".ul·toc":. tho ;1ntrol ui tl1 hnnC r.rc:nt c1 es r.nd s1.-~b-mt.ch'ino (:;W1. f1rz . . :>..1.::-t:hcr t·t't..-·cl-.. v.r-as mt:.CI.~ <'n ? truck cr:n'vo~· ncr_r Z·;,\.'Cil •,.ri:1c.-n l:"1'~-rrilln tro'':··1s J\.•J:l'x:•C:. '"~nt•: the tJ:>uclre;: Crcp:·_Jinc hrn~:. :;·:ron:l·.:ca lnto tt . .:- <~riy:Jr conr .. f'-rtr.:.cnts. Gu.:-rl"illr s then r.ttnr.(--lt~-e. tc kill ,.,,,- .... ""m ... 1t"'in~ (Y"1vr,~H 1''' ~~r,,..·-·("·1n:· -!-l·.:d" :rrom ~~;~ t;·~~k~:··-:L~;:;~- ;c~J. 1: -.f: .. tf·.~·:.~-~ :~:dr~ ~:ni~lcyo<."'. f'h.:qt tlh cr·.n::- t1in;; r.,rh:n n~VC:.'rnl hun~':r(•."' [.'UC"r:rill['.s, b::tl1 .t11 oiv11Hm clc-th ·c :•.nr,_ t~i11fcrme
•
~ ._ . ·,·.
DECLASSIFIED
Korean War Project USMC-00101871DECLASSIFIED
!:~. eF Ll.~) the svi tch on the railroad tre ck.a nt;().r rOwon rmC1. then at<t;ackf'ti. the hal teCt tre.in. ':~~1e initial action cc:.m~ :from c.uerrlllEl.s in civ111rn clothes T-)ho \lf'rf.· lo1 terj_n,.,. n·ee.r the train uhen 1 t sto~.Y)ed. Qn slcnal ihf'y 1mmc'l\1~tely re.n alon(l· the e1Cle of ~h-2 cor.~.chcs, tocsin(' hanc:. crE"na::l_e.e in the winc~owe •.-•hilo covereCl. by maohinr; ~ un. fl.ro from !lee.rb:l positions.
Guerrilla te cti cs em::·loyed againet thi a Division curin:_· the perio~ of this report ,,,.E-r..:.~ E"Y:ecuted in ess~ntlally tho same: manner ElDC1. in the GllJllE' f60€.rSl looe.lc;f by Some of the sv.m~_ ~Uerrillas Tdlo harassed the Ja::.t.ncse Curlnf that occupation __ ;;~Prlod; -:'he· sy.r.~:)e.tl;.atic or ;oassive attitucls .. of the civ'il )o;:ulecc allovcd the e..u.crrillc.s com:·.)n:r;ativc frccc.1m;l of' mover.1ant. throu[hout the bao!< villae:ee anC. secondary roac'.ncts, allowi:.Y'; thG!Il to etf'1k-2't·T1th relative c-e.sc r.rr:.lnet our forces anf then to Ci.lse.·,:·:~)oar E·Lnin 1nto th-3 hille F.nc1 ve:l~ys. ~ vl.t.,,y in rc~;roE'1-,L..,ct r~w·.:E"la thn.t thE: :\!orth Xorcan +;;ro•YJ n:ovcm<:-i1t es f'_ ·.·:r.ol-: c.nr1nf. ,'!;his :_;.:::ricC !:·nt · throu[h 1;;1-.,ls arcn '-·.-'a.s curried _out tf!.ctlce.lly r net in a hi[h1y ort;Ein1zed ma.nnor, em~1lcy1nr, in G!:c lnrt ( st 1 ns tencc of eroupinc, botl-. rc':.vc1 nc,,. anC. r;;:;ar gut.rC oovcrin;; forcc.e, '\;.rlth r-crc.::n~.a!_;.· uni~s on the fl~.nks ancl D.n o::. .. retin-;; Co!·1:-:rn( ~"ch,··lon ncar the ccnt,:;;r ..
rc-·tc:s.
f'.. Gca· rr:!.: ':?1-:.G bP.elc ooncC'~)t of Ch!Dcoc Co:-nr,.l.1~11 E~lt.r/-·, .. scr~l ,· .. 11ill t; l--~· tr ctics visur.ltz.2E th~ .:.m::..lcyr.1cnt o'!' S\.1.~.)cr1or numbers of ~r.oo;:'ls to cr"rr~; c-:.!t o fro.ntr.l .?.ttE.ck in coorCinction ~r1tll stronc:r i.lnvclo::>1n( e.ttP.oks C:t.alt•nrc:1_ to fol<i th:= flanks of th.:: Clc..fc.ntlinf·: forcts, to s;.wtr SUi:):")ly 11nc·s, t.o 1solstr, · ELlrrounc, en(· .:vrntaully (',r:stroy )icoc.I:1('Ell. :;·rsr:;cl_ L1.pon· t!-:2 LIRe· of a h1r:hly mob1lc; str!kio:?,~ fcrc:;, little d.c;~~:nC:.cnt on or0.1ne.ry logiat1cF.l oc:J":.crt·, this :}rinc1:3)1? of A.ot1on hc.s pt'oV0<:l l·J.['hly offcctivr:. since the.- launchin[ of thr Chin=. f'c· cot.~nt.::roffc.nslv-= in lat•; Nov..:.r->b(.'r 1~50. Cn c smeller scrlo the Chinese br.e~ their t;,: ctics on f'. :-'r..:-~-)ond ~r.;mcv of mcn~)O'·!t r to ov.:·rrun the :·n._:.my by sh.:--c.r ~'(;it__'ht of numbers. Ir::. c.ll casc.s durins the; p( riod cov0rc-C. by this r--:)ort, CCF tactics r,,·:r:.:: c·\'1cut1..JC:. "'1 thout ·;;he ben. fit of ~·.1r, ft:rt11Lry ~nr''. El.rmor.
}2 •. i:_~y.c~:: . .:.c:c···l"·.~ in· to r o;:..,-,turc.-c1 (ccumcnt, 0!1"' 'Jf ~-.h~· r::.r~t ·:·.hr.St.G in th•: Chtn~-s~ Ccw:;.un1Gt off.:·nsiv,::. ('lOtri:u, ~-~' ,-:;: 11 :!"~.ret rwrroanl' th .. .-n, 1.1y cnl'1• cut (lff t:lLir rr·ut~ s of su~~:_;.'lY <.'.n.o r· tr..:f 1; 11 • ~his ·)r1,nc:'l.·,;~ .. l--TC s ltCll
DECLASSIFIED
Korean War Project USMC-00101872
•
DECLASSIFIED
1lluetrc:t.::c~. in th: humcrol~6 ~.;lJorts: b:r n~.ti•J . .:s r r~c'. 'YJrisbncrs i:lriOr to· the lf'unchin:: of'· tho Chine£~- [lt~r•.ci..:-8. Thf'BC r~porte tol~ .cf' rn•:my conccntrnt1<"'ns on virtur.lly. 'l.ll BlC!.;.:s of our fcr>r<'rCi Dnc-:_ us:; ,-1,-m;:nts. In movln£ intc :fv.vorc_blc positions fr0m "-'h~ch h.: could e.tr·-c c f'i-~rco t.tt~:.cke ·a$c.inst B8V_:rc:.l :)oint·s· sir.1ul.tF!.hc-;usly, t!:o cnLmy r.:_,str1·ot:::a. flis troop t.10vcrh.:.nts for tht.. wcot p.:.rt; to n1~ht mC':rch.;.s c.l'Jnt_ sccon<-1-rry rcrCI.s :.nt1 tre.11-s. Tht. P.be:.nc.:: of cumber~ scr.:o lo[isticrl SUlJ_'?ort '?nC!. tho us~ o.f 11['ht mountrin r.rt1llcry· mr.<1c this ·,oee1bl0. To insure succ<. es in •this me.ncuv~r, the. rnomy cc:nstruct..:.c, f; lrrc-~ hwJ.b.::r of ontr.:.nct.u;;c-nta ·ostl .. ocn Yufl..nm-ni e.nc1. Ha[.El.ru-r1 ,_,rior to th.: commr.nccmcnt or· the coun'toroff~neivo. At the tim~ .thea..:· entrenchmentS vor) oba.:;.rVct. enc"!. rc..~·wrtc.ci. b~r f'ric ndly r.ir, it. '4P:a oo:ma"i(; erod thet they ~-roul\, be US\ {1 tc O):?oso our c.dvr.nc:) tc Yufrn.-ni. _.;.s it t.urn·c-.c. out·, nost of them t.lcr.: nc.v·:-:r occ.u~i:;.~ t.iirt"11 our un1:ts b .. p:n thoir ,.rltiic"rr.Hrl fr.:•m YuC'Pm-ni e0r;,:' si:~ t-: tf'n f'.t< .. ys lE'·tcr, r.+, ,,,hich tim.c- th.: Chiridsr; nDvrC! into ttu:s~. r.:oe1t1ons to OP!JOSC ·cur sot.~+.h~,•r.rc1. r.c":.vr.nco.
~h.: next st::.'~) in th• .:n·~myt s of-!"::nsj.vc ·.··V~n ie thtt f0r the. r.ctue.l" F.ttr.cl{, '"'hich h-. c'1.ccur.Jlnts, nust bo in C'le::::~th ane~, 11 uein(' th'0 trtr.nr lr f\.·rr.w.t1on, th:; fore: t.l'.venc:tnr: ";t;•r.:-.. ~1 tl':c. .:-n~r.1y front must not "t0 C?mpos.;t cf r.-:or::: tl·.r'n t,·~c-thirc""!c of the strcng-th 1 ar tuo sf th~ tl:rc ,- c.chcl :-:ns. Tll: fof'l·'f"I'f"\ un~. ts must cr_rr~r c.J.l the"~:.· 0n0 rnG. ~r.Jn?,f~;s ")ossiblo. 11
~Y'Pl '1m 1-n'i::! Y.v ·~~.;.,..;hi "'~fl'a-: t.otnot"' __ , f!!!J-,_~".:,1 ·1 u - - .. -------,----- .... -~-----··'-................... ........... ~ ... ~,] fo~loue_C in 5 to· 2.0 .minute·.s_ ·bv.-th~ r:1a.ip_ atttck mULe ul:, e.ccor<.l.ing to scma front. line reports, of' ·11 £l.l.most enCI_less nu'tnb'ers 11 .. or· Chinaae eolrliers ~-!ho stirt eC. forl,rnrC! rai;licl.IY "a£t~.1nst OL\l<l·;osit1ons, 'lith eeem1nr_ rli ~rq;ard. :for loSs of lif£. Generally the eMmy moved to w1 thin small '"'ms rcrwe in column format:!..On be. fore: :rann,_n( out·-: c.s skirmiehei"'B. lf the cru.·ne66 had been in eooC. ;:.os1t1one for observati_on dv.r1n~; the day· nnG. l;;:ncl: the location of our automv.t1c- ·uea~1ona nne...,_· strone; ~oints 1 they would aim ·the ·bruni of the ettack· S[:ainst belieVG{1 WeE'.~ ~:Jort1ona · ot our ·C.ef.:;nne. Their ability to ··ObServe ~he •)rcbe.bl& .location of our'macbl.no E;un~ ne.s 2!xcel::!..en:t, a.l thoue:h they ,.,ere- ·oau£~r.t-r.~any t1r.~es Joy c:1angce or our ;ooa11;1ons Elfter n1Eht:re.ll; If their knol'le<l.ec of our ,,cx:imeter 11as sl1tht, they >toul.d .depend on ,a :;.rol.1m1ne.ry rccorLnaiae.e.ncQ ·just ~r1or :tO .:t~:.e ang;agement ·t~·· oc•.tl1nt ou.r linea bY our initial firo rca»on)!e. i-. sel1ent che.ract<>ristiq l-n .. :the1r 1n1 tial attack ue.a tho ~nemy 1 s a1)1l1ty' tq•;r~aot; to·. t~~ •strong· · .:_:.ointa in out" i.tett"ns"e.';f,ild.•.'tq.·:~-t.\i~. t\'le _f...1"r-eot1on~ of the attack to• .. •ard•·.wcaker, .. aea.tw-a: .' l:!' there were tlp r.;,:oarcnt light <l:eten~~.e; · .:the· Cliineso · atte.ck· ••o.uld continue upabatcd. ·until· tith~r it· he.ti_: euccecfi.ed. in .overrtillning.'"ti_h·a ~Os1tl,an_a, until J;l1s. f'oroo·s iHl~e .:t9.0 dec1matcc\' t;o l!la1n- · · ta1n orcen1zr.t1on, or 1.1nt1l· c:aybroalt; at which: . · time they ri.lmoet invariably· ~.rev back~·· ~he · ·. ucc of 1l'.wn1Mt1nr f1roe. htO -no .~.:,;;annt <t'foct. u~ .. -cn tll~ ~Cn::.my 1 s ,~roc of nttr.Ck. Obecrvcre rc:·ort that h~ m:'::' r no r..tt :m)t to so.::.Jo:. cove-r or cc.:ncC'alment. S1r.;1J.,i·flrly, he ~~:~f,'lon~t:!"'("+:~r1
r.n. r'·,J"x•rcnt co:-.t:·f:"'.-.Jt for rncrtrr fir-~·. On mr.n~' occc."S"i·::nr. th.:: Chin·~·s:c cont1mv.:ti mo·r,Jm(nt vithout lotu;) tl1ro~t"l1 thc·e:c h"rrf'[:'<:-e, r.n( in S)~-tr o:f h:-t!.vy lo£e(.:s. ·
It uFiz conclusivtily ~.cmonst.n•.t£CI., ''''rinc- thie :'""•r).oO of e.ct1on, .the:G the ·Chlneao Coi:u~:unist '}ltcL·c~. llttlc: VE,lue u· . .;>Jn ttc 11ft of tile 1nC:1v1dual solC~1t>r, ·Em0 ·hie- te.ct1cs rlfl~ct t}11e attitu~.€1. It ·ooe b..:,.:.n re:.Jort.,d .. _that th~ 0r.:Jny troops Cl'.me·. :forl-;arc1 .. ~-rrct~ or sor.~.otimcs in e. crouQP.. -Jaually. they aO.vanccCl..· at· a 1i:>e.llt1 ·.
or comC'tirJ~a c.t e. trot or .. run·. Bttt \thon e.to:)~)..;:.Cl, th::y C..i:J not soo;rt oov·~r·ah0. conce.sl-mcnt or .nttem·_;t to rnov.:: by··crr:::~'inr; or cr~P'I'lin;;_, Che.r~.ctcriat1c,of many o'f"thoir-n1[;11t'attacka,o.n(L l\lmcst· €.Vory on.c· of :tl}G:· S:ttQo.~ka· occhrrCC · tur1nt the hours ·of. 9.Eir~n~e·e·, .. 1.Jas· :the ;fe.ct th~t .. · tb<. Ghin~s.~.l--?ould fin.:::!. r..hrJ. u.Eo !'··f!'.Voretlr. point.· of entry into th~. 1r:~.mc1(c.1::c,:Joa1t1~n1s; it.might_· have bc£·n a. tl.rE""J-r, or. rE".vinc or foot.:J&.th; if our trOop a t .. ·,:r. q:loa.;:t:. ~ u:;on "";h.:.· h1::i.1 ·crl~tinf 1 th<.· enemy •-~ou:...c. usUA.~l~; e-vo!.d tht i>hF".r'.) 1-JJll ft.cings D.nti. E'.ttt cl:;: Ul"~ t~C f"'~nt~C:St SlO:_J,:: t1. ···'f•f'n the-
hr:··:;::·: I-~.r-:;:;~1 TO :)IVISIOl'~ S?!:i:CIA"u ;PC:::!;;~; Cf:t:or,::; Ol'oogg uta aott'
mtlitiSSY'lO:i!a
DKCLASSIFJF:D
Korean War Project USMC-00101874DECLASSII?IKD
;;-p:sJ: E;.K£R TO :liVISIOl' Sl':SCI.'IL i.C'2l0c' REFOP.T
· that eventually the defending fox:~>ea v£11· .cx::•cnc1 tholr atit!:IUUltion ~.nd. w1ll ·.b<; · eO:eil:i' ecbj~ct to being ovrrrW).· ~t hl>,d been r6portu:t, prior to the action a.t YudEUn-:n1, 'that. the Chinc'se et1:r,tloyec1 sCoc:intl. Etntt th1r6. rntC troops in the cnrlY nese.ul t t>,r£,_vea in nl".~.Al"' f:li !"i"'nlr>tA
our runmun1 d.qn BUl):)lY. vi thcllt thO -iOS~ of.:-th~ ~ ·.xst Chinese troops. ·If th~s oonc11t1on .!orevc.1loc1. .nr.~.onr the a.ttt>.oking forocs. c.1ur1nt~' ~:r ... 1s ~JcrloCt it ,.raE not f.ctectcd. ·by any Division unit. The fnct of countl"os:s l~~r.vce of troo~Ja hns b<cn cc!""lf1rm~e. by mr.ny front line sourc-:::9. AR e.n C'Xar:t:ll~, :.":o:-.sy Co~?l"!ny of the 5th Hn.rinc·s rr··)ortpCt thFt on tilt DO:t'nin~~ of 23 Povcmbcr, 11 Et'oGY ;,..llcy 11 ,. a dre.l.f ltT.r.11nt· into th~ r~osi t1ons or the 2ncl Battalion, ~-rr.s 11.t.::o.rally ste.cl{c0 u1th Chiil.Os.::: c'".L~Rcl.. nho lny "in n:-e.t" r0-.:.rs in the same farme.tlon in T.rht.cb. they h~u:~. chctr['cci. FJgainst tho me.chin€1. vu'n· ririe. rit'l z fire ·or ou:r troops. This occurr~d time: aftot ·tL·K f'.nt involvo,-; r.lr:1ost every rifle com·1any 111 th, ·division. .::.. Dr.ch1nc gun position of the 3rC. .:::n, "J.st l~rrincs, en the d€·fense perimeter r-.t -:~n; f'rU-'ri¥ lle.cc l2G f ce.o~ Chinese st~.o!<cc 1n :front of it on. the .r:.Jc-rnini-_ of 29 ttcvember tel levine E~. fL:rc c cnci:.ry attc!"'.)t tr. t·v.::rrun the Divisj,on Fr:'tK"tquc.rt:or8 l".n .. ~ r-.~.retr1~-, !l.t :!E'.p·.ru-r1.
_.,runt l1ae:· T"0)0rts 1nc1:-.-Jt.t~G the.t thL Chinese £-.ttF'.ck t8.ctics e.lso 1no~ut'.cc"'.. the uac. of mc.:rc:1.in[ fire by tht f.l.ssnul:t1n:~ t;roops. ';'hr. ~hon:·.sQn Bubmrchlnc· Gun Pe.G t!1,., :;)rinci"pEtl ,_,c['-r)on cr.l:")loycr~.. S.'lJ.:·. r.wrch~ nr.· f1r-:-:, ho~· vcr, t.rf'.s coneitcrcc;_ rclntivcly incffc:ct1vo, Althow·h the vo~.uiuc involved. ncturF>ll_y ·rceultae. in fri.:nOly ct.snnl tics. Once the ono:1y hod colllr.li ttcC'. hir.Jsclf "to en avenue of r.c.:vm1CC' 1 h.c d1C:. not rcl1nqn1sh it cv;;n. thouch tP.ctio€-.l dcv..:lo:Jr.l.Cnts vould Si..Cr..l to .r:tc.k..; it un~Jrofitnblc, B.c cnrricC out the f'.ss2ul t, L~sinc th€" aubr.E",chin~ gun, rifle ~nci. trc:nr.C.~, in eome instc~ccs, eitl.oe:U:J_Iping frcr.;, more stubborn ;rcsistc.noo ._to.)li"ti_.:-l;t.t veeker 'oo1rite; .in ott>.cr ct.ecs,. tll<: ~.tta'ok: continutC. ngc.1ns"t th~ 1n1 t1e .. ll-y .so~~cto~c obj oct!. vc until c:i thcr sUccess or f.r.11ur~~- 't-lEI.S e.tt~tihcd. ·'!'he e·tt£1 Cks 1 .!'.imr:-et l¥1 thJut oxce:g.t1on 1. '·lt.rc chFrRctor~zc~ by shoutin{'; soroem~nc, 1:llou1nr; r;f bt~f."loe rnC. ·,~histJ..ee_, en6.. the oleshiriG of cym- .. h2ls, plus 'tho firinG of 1\ll-.i.r.;e-.!'ons. Few· attrccks rocc1ved r.ny ei.z'"'-r""t:-1-e ;n-,rtl"'.r eu~:)po.rt; r::1ost mortrr' firin:- 110.~ F'.:~ J.t"".:rcnt!.~:. _1'.1;.1\:lc.'i .. nt· lmock1ne out tE'.cticr.l su:·::·:ly 1.n·s~.r:+lr t.1ons · ~.nd rcsup:·.1lY oov.:;~!::>nt, nnc'L ,.,·as ·c-:->r.tsi.stontly rcp11rt.Jd ns b-cinr- r:xtr:':n;ly f'.ccurf'.tc:. C:Jm:.~~,..ny f'.nt "tF".+,talicn cor:tr.1nm1 1:;0ste 1!crc ~.lso f'r~,q_1.1.c-:t1~ mcrtr r
· effort ".•'!'.s !.U'lqu.=etion;?.bly·· !'.·i~:=cl t-.t orc·nt1ng confllsion nncl lry1n£: to shale~· 'tJ:l~ con:f'ir) pnco· of our
. forces. Aceq:rdinr. to···thc S~~., 5~h ll.r:.rincs 1 his E'.;ir.: "c-. s not so rnuqh tho ov~:.::runn1ng. of , the front ~ino :?c's1 tiona f'or the . sn~c ·~t w1p1·ng ·o.ut the c,ofcnccers ·b.llt pr1me.r1ly-. to gain entrnncc into sccondF~ry enL': _rear l'.ree:s. ··In· th1a ,SE'JDo- connection, r.ll>ny stre.ngs stories were tole' Hhl:bh rcvcHlt.C'~ thid; ths inti.ividuel. Ohin.csO 'solC.icr hc.cc recelvei: 11 t1ilo. or no·· tr,.1n1ng on tho c.p.:.1cnrr.nce of the· onemy he 'l'rE'.s to. tl('ht. Em:1crous instnncies -occurred in w.tiich ·!4.r.rines Yoro b~'l:..:e.escCi: by the ·ch1.nese c.ttcr.tlJt1n·g- t·.a·· brc~~~ th'l."'i1U.Q'h cur cuter c~.efcnsoe-."._ One ·such ~1rr1nc H['l.s tolm0et t<noclt31.l over by t}+e oncr.1y ru:rminr:._: by hir:.:. In tbc :)c.ssln~-' 1 the g.r.rinc·:;_::u::..l,rcl th..::. ~Jin cf f' h~tnc"' .. rr..:mr.dc-·-r.nL1_ hr.nf!ed 1t tO -ctK of Ghc c('.fr:[.lUniste, "-!hO·-·too"lt ·1 t ui thout hcs1 tr-. t1Jn flnt. cc•ntinut::C:.. f0r'i-rr.rc1· w1 th fr. tr.l r~sul t;B. ~ scoonc,_ .inat:"'.ncc' of Rren'"' t&-·:k:"'!.eeinr~ ,..,ae r,.::;or.tecl by r.noth~-r r.i·e.rin: ,_.,fio ani!!! hD' una-in the Procoss of rcacuins t l:ouna.·ec1 ot~mra(!.~ whon· n -Ch1l-...£:·eo sol<~ior <·P:.:>l'·o<·.chec: 11nd nlso·: began to -tur r.~ tho 1·!cutld.;.d. h:r!ne, but in the O:":;o,eitC d;lJ?cc.tio:--~. 1ihcrcL,_~J:C_n, tho nble. l~E~.rine_ pull_~c"". the _:9in· --_:.:1 F:'. ~1nnC::. e:ronl'.do rmd h£ndea..·1-t to· the Chlnc __ c.a-_ ,_,..h:) tor!: 1 t '!ill1)1("ly nne' 't:llrncd to wc.lk· ~.\lr.y. , It is- ~1ncu1r-·r,. in .vict-.r of -the_ en~uy'6 tc.n:-ttor..! chtn.cs, . .thtt,' althcuch tlie r1flc-ar~e<'. Ccmr.mn1st cf'rr1c(t- ·t'. h~.~··:-!"J.~t. h0 m;v~r us-!"d 1 t cxtons1voly ln I;.1s_f'8St.ults. ·':':'1~.:::-r'c f'.t'8 h}·.Jlntoci ropqrts l.ifhc:rc 1n0.1v1C:l.:c.l bcy·::.1ot fif,hts ooc~trroci.. f'nti_ :)S.r
ticulo.rly 11hcre the Ch1m.si usod. baycnots on r.oori c£>.l-1£;'ht 1n. ei:;;e!:>inc b~€'.:; 1 but -n.sv:.r: roporte of any vhblcse.L bey: not -chc.r>os,'_·."h1l.c' .tlcc ,ue UIJO cf thf.: eubr:lr.oh1n.:. f,·un (1.<.i!. thru·r. br.youot) r.:l,.,.y ncoc unt for m1.l.Oh 9-r this·, th:-. 9n~:-:-~y · st1-l_l.- 3"lrc- - . fcrrer1 rinc_ fire_ ~nc~. ht'.nc1'E··rcnfl::".vs .. for h1~ cl0EOili .f'i::_-htinrr. t.;")rh[':-~s -r. lt~.cik c-f' br.vonet trc.ininr·. bL~t- n'Gv~~ --~-- rci_UCtE'.>4C£ t!or olos-:- cOatC~:ct.~. mny - · ecccllnt fo:r' this ·fnct. · ·. "
··.vb.!.lt Ch.tncec~ CCr.ununie_t lf.'rrc EC[!L_· c:_:nrntit:">n8 ·include ::>lema for envelopment~ E'1mult~.i1COUE' \1.•1 th ·frontr.l. l!.ttr.~ks, f.::"-' ·1netuncoe of flc,nl':inc.· ·.r.t::;vcc.cnts on c. small .ul)1 t sor.lc Y-•crc r,:;·.)or-teC.. ':':'h~·· .')Litflt.::nG.int'-'. r>.ttemt·jt r.t; this . ocCv.rrct. 10. t!:I.G 5·Gh M:'.l:'111cie l'rl).;;n tho Comr:-._uniats c-.ttvD,)t.-e. t"·J ~ncirol~-::, H c;1rr.'Y·ny ... hcUJ hill t.nt::. ~).:.notl-rtL. n;rr·H( ~ flf.cnlc vh~i::- a.tt.::.Ql~ln(-" fr:::ntali ''. ::·11c. n..:-tu1~~-. "f ou;r--~.--:·-.J_f.::·nao _;:c..r:t~.Jc-t.:.l" .:n'oclv.C.c_.,:; th--e.- c!i.r.ncc of_rr.noh ·succ·.:..,se in this ty~IC. cf cncr.1y t.:-:ct.lcs. ' · · · ·
·In thr:- se cr-.s.:.s ,\~hc:l•i · ·ih,~- Ohi!:cr-o succc--seful in .-,vcF~.rh-:.lminL~ cu1~ ·:;cr;;it"icns ~y
!-.:.~;~:_;:,- ·:O'C ~~IVIBIC:! DECLASSIFIED ,
DOD.DI!< GZOO.lO - 41 -
/'"
_.,_.
:··----~
DECLASSIFIED
Korean War Project USMC-00101876
•
DECLASSIFIED
'":'"""'"""f">'l".., .l.t.:" .....
sht.yt 'tfl'eight of nUJllb~re, .they mt>.de n-, ettteQJpt t-J_ lutlt em~~ rqorgc:riize r.s m1fht. h!WO :bcC'.n cx:;cctcd. R~tthcr, thoy continuea the <~tti.ck 1n the snmc \'Til C. mann cr, 1nd1c~ t.ing t!".LP.:t their· f1.1m '.-Jf'.s to c~.cstrcy oUr unit 1ntecv1ty. N'htn count8rnttC".ckec" to rf•Bt()re perimeter l1nce, the .:-nvMy ltrts ltSU.r.lly- C~U[;ht. by BUt;,:Jr1S0 an(" 2-oUtCC:., .Al-most lnvorlc.bly· -the, cncmy 1 a ·attnoks w·ero aimed !'t hi!ls or tr~ooCteC. nre!l.s with o:nly·rarc_ exc.m:)lt.s of r>.ttc::cks Ul) drnvs or· rondWE'.VS. .Attecl':.s ,f~cr-3
cl-~_rnct~riz~f. by forces in ~c:Pth. On seivtrfl.l occosicns, the attnclts vorc b;r .two:re(ir.icnts ~bl'oe.st 111th battclioqs in colum~~.·:
If the cncoy. was atlli att~.ckinr, >rhcn ~.nylicht cemc, he iw.mcFntZly broke off contact v.rhile C·Jv~:red by sme.ll r::·rou:,.::B, uhcso m..i.ssion v.ras to ..-:rcJ:! oUr. fire .r.uay. frop the rcc·cc11n[ enemy. He usually pull~ci. be.ck into ;'rcviously prepare<: ~oos~t.icne ar 1n·t0 the near- · by c".rr.ws v.nJ. v•lle_c;~a ·-whOr.q ·Eta many· e.e posslble· took shol ter insic":.o n~.tlve huts. !:t net. c11s·turbcc1 the onomy etaye<' .. tnsi.~;il, out of. sight of P.ircre.ft, throughout 'th,. clay, lof\v1n3· just 20r10.r to cl.nrk 1n orc1or to·· or('f'.niz" for the com1nr nicht I e opere.tiCne. I1' 'f';hcse 1o1~rming ·housoe •·•ere e. tte.ckcO. by aircrnft <1ur1n0 tho e .. e.y, the Chinese remained 1nsia·e until a dirac~ hit '''"·" me.e.o o.n tholr ovn she;L,ter •. · ::'he .. ou1is.tej1Cl1n~ · . 1nstt·.ncce ·or this !>raot1·ce .. wna qi<h1b1j;D(!. ·in the · ve.llcy· t<l;ich led from l!.,\g'!ru;..ri'·,.~o;-t)l'o:"sCII!th-, •· . west' and··tn··whioh J;>oat· ct tho 59th.···ccr 'D1vh1on· ~-esor.iblc:t1 ,,•hen ·nJt, maricuverine or ntt£clp,nr.
, . To .minl.ni~o .the effC.9t1.1(~!lo~~ .. of sir ·end hrtlllcry otr1kos, tho· on,emy;·el,wo:ye, chc e.c to launch h!s c. ttncks C..urlm~ -the hours of C.v.rknc.sc. Such attv.cks
1 Q.ei:tQileti'ntot.· cXc£1.1-
lcnt un1 t coor<'•inr. ticn 11nd t'roo.o · coiltrDl anC'., ncccrc1inf to ca~)turcd <:1oownen~s, ~ocaivod F. lnr-e;e por-tion of ·str3ss .c'l.urlnf per;!.o4_s\ of trnlninf. Tc r.wintnin control dur1ng the ·attncki the Chinese cr.r;>loyed widely' both buglce and "hhtlce •. The bur.lo ><ne used· :>rimnrily ror ovornll control .,.,hile the ..,.ihistlos aocmcO. to be used tc c:ord1nnt0 tho mdvGr.!cnts of sme.ller un1 t.r 1 perhaps cOmpr.ny-s1zeC.. nn:'!. beleN. Thea a sound Si(n.?ls h'erc. usee. to l!l.unch ntteclts, .si~!nnl ChF!D!!'f.S in CUr~oti.,n and to b;r;:(",~k off contact r.nc1 :'.1c1. not ·rem!'lin· constan';; but "P':'t.rcntly vari d from dey to ·!J.ny nnd from one u.nit to e.ncth.cor.· 1:ot only for troop an~ unit cc-,altl"ol, th~ ht.l.[le nn~ 1-rhieotlo wcro E'C!l:JlqycCl. ta.· oroE".tc nc:iEJ,. c.nc"'. cr-:nfusion, .:o.m't ns psychol-?·:·icr.l l·lor·.:J,'Jns. '!'h~.. cr.-11 m·:: f- t rc:-r.ct.tbe-rc-c~. ""ty frcnt l:tne unl te ,.,ns 11 ':'r.>e 11 ;rb1cl: th.: Ch.inesc usee."'. a:.):_Jr.rcntly b"Jth E"S a. elt:n.";.;l r.nc.l. fer its c>sycholo[C1CC1 c'ffcct,
.l"; .....
DECLASSIFII!:D
Korean War Project USMC-00101877
•
DECLASSIFIED
£~ Dcfcnsd': ·C::nvcnt1'1nnl Ch1noso Com; un1st \':c:fcna.tV,c tcot!os cnv!a!on r.. c: . .:;.tc.rm1n'"' strnd '-[1\lm.t .thE.rna1n v.ttrck o:f tho · oncmy,. '-n c.:icr<:'.1nr. t1on: ,.,1 th· ,,c.trlVclo:)il1(" forcOs on c:i tht:.r :f'lr~nk -~-nf: -to r.ce..r o.f the a~.vr.nc.:: ,. e.t·l;cwptint: t.::. isplr't_c f.-'t~cto~"ih_g unitt, r.r...c"t preveil~ cscal)G, rcinfo_r-c\fficnt cr, Supply. This ~'rtnc1:,lr Wf\S n.::vtr fl.lll~l E:l__')~)lic'c,_ C.Ltrin£: thb Col'1c:f period '1/hc.o the l24th CCF·D1v1e1on oppoeocl the.. ·n.Jrth'IJt'.rc-: c4vt.h0c'-of .the ?th :;il'.rince tcwar·.i Iincv.ru-r1, al th~llf.:h: :frcqlleint a"ttelll,l)ts 1ic'>:e . mr,.c.1e ·to mOy;.: 1~to. thQ_left fla~- o:t .thc:;~_Gfimont .. nl c.c1.vnnec. ~hi3 cner.1y -C1.:1c1 Bnooe6c1 in -sl_i::JpinG in behlnC. f'nc" .. b0ttt:roen .tho t¥b ~.dvr.no.;o bf'.tte.lir:me briefly 'on ~ Novc!!!b.OI',· .·C~netant ·nor1•.1 survoille.ncc o.nd' nir e.nci nrtillcr)r .e,ttt:coks, . in conjuncti:.n t.ri th h;:o~_vy fo:rwr.rll !}roSsuro. r ror.tl:r 11m1 tcrl the cn,,my 1 s cr.pr.bUfty. in thl.a respect, 'lhilc thr Chinese saor~f1cei' one .c .m:,lc.to eiv1-s1cn in tryinc to hnl t our m:J"'IO in th~ ~u.::·ons aro£1. in Cf'.r1y 1-!cv(,r;tbar~ l:ntrr c.1Gf'ons1Vo· ELOtion by the .~9th CCF Division ecu.tll ~:f Yuc.rm-n1 1 :Jrior tc thv Fll-cut coq.ntcroff~na1vc 1 l_.'f'.e nJthinc· .m-ore thr-n E' eer1ce of ·h~rr'.asinc 0 elr.ys. These· bloc~tinl:· r.tctioi':ic ~·.rcrc tlcc!r-nc~,_ ·tc: hol~ u:·_J cur t.lcv..:; north l'.nc:. ~-rest 'lcne ~nough. ~r, l'.llo'tt tht CCF ~Oth . .:..rmy to close ln· th<:Jt nl"'Cf'. ·l'rc~-·c-rPtcr~-' t·J rsaurnint the offcnsi'vGI ..,n 27 j:.!,~vcf1~·.:::r.
'?he enC'my 1 s defensive tr:.otios \.10rJ · 't<•fl<C. Ul:-c'n the :')remise that ·nur .nttr.ok l'.fnulc1. 'be CC'nfincf.. llrir.w.rilY tr:. the l'Qfld ncto ant t~:r.t vc ,.,,·ult •. rttfic~~ C"_n+y' <."l..u~in[_- •lfljrl~·,,:·l-~t- 'hoL.i.r:s_. In t!:ie c<Jnn·~ct1,· n ti.1c S-2,- 7th 1--Ir.rincs rc!:.rrt·c{~:-11 Sy usc cf" nr.turnl covcrtK1 rr:::·~t.Ja o:f e.ppr-::e.ch intc cncr.1y :xEii tic as_,.. th.J ?th· l!£1.rinos- :!.r.unchod s.;;v.crnl hlt:'hly sucp;essful attn.cJ.t.s by c~t.tcinin:: th(; ·cl'cr.tcnt cf s.ur-,;.:.>t'isc Ql1 rn cnct~lY l"1.1a:·;osE.-d .to covc.r .;nly -the r0£\<1.6 .E'.nci. ·tr-r:ils vith c:.o-r.cnsiva f1 r0s. Like,.,iso--.,.'· 'hy ·.1I:orCc1mrn nttr-clt's ·cur troo;_)~ ~-r.cr(. .r>blo t-:o :)cnetr.e.tt:· enemy. :J?S~tlr::ns '1n '..·:h1oh· ·the oncl"".y vEts f'cunc'1__ .f' . .f!:l6~:) •,.rith-:;~.tt oven ncrmr..l occur! t~ ·postcc1_, . In. ·e-.C.i·i ti·cn·, oonti'nuc<"l. IJIOVO._ r.l;)nt f'~ftbr (:i!'.rk. cnt_bl::c"!. I')Ur .trJC::._)S. tC OOOUl:.·Y t;n~r.ly dE.f~nsiv·~ )OBi ticns, \11h1oh tho .UneHei:.ooting CC3-' h."C, loft in ·':)rc,.cr t'J ~,secmblr:'£>.t messing c.rr,e.s, ( !n tlj~e iaste,nco.,. the Chinese·, uo,on rnturn1nc tt:o tf'l:\3 u·,. their CI.~Zfo;:onaivo -,ositi-::ne.; ''ere cP.ur;ht 1n our h<:l'.vy firos,") . !-n sc>itc or the f'b:':'VC' 1nstr~nc.:-.a, .. tho enemy !!lf'.f.o· no l".p::ar.ont cllrnFe in thvt, e,sp.cct cf his' do!cns1vc tr.ctics. II
·"rhcrC he uoul{t.. hr.v·o ht(;.n vulne:r-!'bl:.; tc ·.F'.ir et"t"&rcks, Dc.f-: nsivo ._.l,~B1t1ons vr:rc· ...:oat:·bl!Bh;."lr: en broth the f,:rt.fr-.rc,. 'flnc~ r::·vt·rs ~ e'!.o:)tS. Tho f-:r.·rrC ::osl ti.-...ns '-icrc· ·:)Ccu·~)ic(\ in ·tht tl.cfcnsJ
DECLASSIFIED
Korean War Project USMC-00101878
•
DECLASSIFIED
~C DIVISI.OF .s~;:-C.IAL_ .kC':::IOr F.EPORT
until they brcr.mc unt~:nf'.~lc, ·fit. which .time mnvzmLont Vflf D-"~le t0 tho reverse slo2_Jc 210s1t1>Jns • .Such t.Jcvl:m.Jnt \'.'as mnclo uhCr~ ,J:?Ssiblc r.:rr:unr:. the. hi.~h crounc1 rather th.!tn o;cr. the r1e.cc:- In ~JC1t1rn to ua1n~ reverse slb~0 1)0S1t1rns aa n S;:ccnc1ury 11cfens6- line, the ChfnC.sc U"t;ilizc-,1 them while under o1:r 1 .mc:rtnr and r.rtillcry fires. Onc8 they hf'.::~ boen c1r1von from the :t'OI'l'f>.r'"~ alo-Jee 1Jy tlw c.:L'.v~•ncc 'Jf our· tr.o_rJps, they ooulc1 be ox:. ;Jcctcd to lf'Unch E' c;:ountc::ratte.ck fr3m the reverse slo·:1C · c.t such time ns our lines hE'.cl ret.ched tha creSt of the hif:h [~r0unc:.. b. varin-tion of this ue.s the 'oos1 t1on1n(' bf e11.emY d~renses 1n s~tcYlos •rith Cummy pcsiticns plE'~ced·alcnr th~ cnin slopes of the hirh grcund,' A C!>;,>turf){'. enemy :,_ccur.1cnt on enemy te.ct1os stt.t-:,d; 11 In the builc11nt of fortl.fications, def1lr.dcd r.rcas nnd caves should be selcotoCl P.nCl oonccnl&c.1. In ac1Cl1t1cn, & ilUCJmy position should bo .constructed at nn exposed Sl)'t on to'p of E'. mountE'in '1n E' ccnspl cuous crea. to ~ttt.reot. ~ha.· o.namy, and tl:erc:roro c1e~c1 'VC:> ·_·t:P~~ :~n~-!~F~~-~-t~·e·~_r. ~~~~-~-~:"'
. · Tl~o- .c~O~-y-.I~:~;~~-~;;~ :i.~,o~t~-~~~_EtlW~~y~ :\ · 1nclue.ed cot1?~.cra'ttaoks t bo~l:r,,d,t~Ilt.~.'CW.;;J:1.gllt.>: • • and c1arkness, ' Such a ttaoks· We'l'~fof,<"tbo·<"(lanz~t1- · tyPe anlc inclu¢!.ed, Whistle arict":bug~e:!a.1~~":J,s; _.· . shqut1ng r.ht.l no1ee:-ID:a!t1ng ·ianc: ·,-ra:oo~~o~(--a.fj~&.U+ t;;!J ~-ceinst· t>ur posi tiona ,but·· .>1er~ .... or ne~ tber ·the . ' mane;itui' e. ·nor Cl.e··>th .·that oharaqt!lr1ze<1'• the.·· rc.r'ul£\'r offensiv'Et notiOns. · }. '1./""_:· \-''.--:.:.~. ·
- :· ,; ,,. .... ,_ ·.-.-·•···~-~;"'"' ·!,
!l· RoP.oblooke r.nd l~B:S Attacks: One of the '>ri!Jf.ry fenturce of the c'!Qf..el)..s,1ve c'.alcy1ng notfOn 'or--nCI.uct·JL'l by th.:, Ohinog'~ between HEtEF.ruri c.nl1 Yuaam-ni vfi.B the e~;tcnsivo uao .of. r0nt1.~ ~:locks, meat of Phioh 'ttcr? not' oovorc.-:'1. by fire. '?he roDCblccks ,,r.:-rr: usvr.lly mnr.:.o_ 'fi'om mr.tcrfr.ls ~,~hich coul'"'. be ·;rccurc·C l":'c!·lly,· such r.s 1~::--e; brt1.sh cr ncnrby rscJ(o_, or ~,re.re rnE'.C.e- by thC' us;: of (_cm,liti.Jnri 't·") bl::1st h?les in the rN'-C1:-.:.t:1.. Gn cn0 cr t"'-'C occesions l:'. tnnk ~1.1 toh 'ftlE'.s cncnuntorc-c~ * RnEJci blnck ~ites 'iJara wrunll"y en a shr.ry curv.a: cr in t_ef11es; they were_· ~locntec". so ns to' bo \-J€:11 cov£rec1 by posltione 111.· a.c~je.oont h1[h srounc'. and omplacc( t.s to c:f'ford. mu!U<llY Bt!·-~·1ort~ nc fires by au.tomat1C 1~C!'I.lJOns. i:.iUCll ro['t blccks r.~•orc used moat of:"'ootivoly on 28 rri-:~ 2-9 rvvc-mbcr bt:1nvccn Ha;:nru-r1 F'..nd Kotc-r1 nhr,n lc.rt~e c·· .. nvo:VG vel'(' attt:ckJd after hr..vinc b~- (,n stoPped by these 'obetF-.clos. The nttE':cks on those occ~si::ns· wertJ ·1nunchsd .from the h1r:·h c:rnuncl ''h1oh cv.:,rlookeC. :th.o l!S::t •md r.ce.1nst th~ c.ntire lcn;:_·-th cf th,.c cr;ny.cys~ 0m?~~y1nF beth r.utomr-tic ,..,c~110ns r.n-:" licht r.t·!'Jrt.".re, r.n~. in f"Jnc lns tr.nc_c
1' bF.zOol-,F.'.e. · ·
llACLASSli'I&D 61.~ ..]?Ill 11200.10\
.....
DKCLASSIFJF:D
..,.,..., .. ,........, ...
. -• .-'-.rvr~ ...
Korean War Project USMC-00101879
•
\.
\
DECLASSIFIED
The Chinese C'oi:Imu,n~sw 't>aClil.Ca.L t.'.octrlne ple.oes .rre(l.t str~$~· upon sever~nf JoSR':a, . as vas· evidenced __ b.uping .. :t~e-. t>erio(l- oov.~ed ·by ·: this re)oort. The 1Clporte!tqe .at thi.e type: o:>eration may be:- l'~O.liz~d. by :.p:oting _tll_lp.t,\tP,e :Jrir.1a.ry mission of 'the entire qyth CCF. Dlv~s.ion vas to . cut the.MSR b~hind our.foremo~t.un1ts. Mot only 1nclud1n£ roedblocke. and ooopdinatoQ .
-.e.tt_a.okeJ: such- tae~ioo al_sp· emb:t"'ao.ed .. the .ex-. tcnsilre. · j;.se of e emol1 tions in. oauaint: lendsliCes e.c.ros·s the roa~ as in, -the e.rea just· cest of the Choshin :l.eservoir •. and in blowinr' out vul_nerabl,e ?O.rtions .of thG ·road or brid(:~s 1
such as """ carr1ec1 out bc.tween Xoto-ri. v.nd . Chinhunr:,-nl C'.lons the .c1rcu1 to us molmtain pc.ae route~ One instance ai' at.tem,;tcd bridre dc.s-· truction at n1[.'ht occurred 1mm~.:'t.1fl~Gly rd-jaoent to friendly tt'co:>s at Hajon Don(: ,.,•hen . t~1t Chinrsc set u:;,:. P. mr.ch1nc. run on -~he ravor£t':;ln h~Fh cround nee.r r. 'br1CI(::o. e.nCt_ fn close :orox1m1 ty t<O fri.onCly posl tl·ons. ~he enGmy then :_.:rccecc1oC::. to set off C.eool1 tiona on the britcr~·~ 11hi1e mr.ohlnc cun fire pinn<!d c1o1m ·friendly. troops E.nd. C1vrrtcc.1 .a.tt6nt1ori awcq :f'ro.r.~ the c1emol1tlon eet1on, As soon e .. s tho job >me finishfl; the Chinroe "ithcl.rcv, As 1t turn-C. oc•.t the c: emol1 t1on charge ve's insuff1c.1 cnt to cause .:instruction. of more thr.n a small p_ortiJJn of the br1d!]'e. A report the follo1!1ntc· C.P.y roCr-"lled t.hat thre£l llc1vil1Ans 11 had be.on .01")Sf-Y:Vee~ 1n the brid[B area on .tho precodin<; afternoon; thuy hod a0J',)arently ,been soleotinr,; tho moat f<.vcrablo ?oBi t1on ~n 1'h1ol'! to em;>lacc th~ me.-. chine ~un, as well cs ins?ectint th~ br10~c. It 1 !B.B in thia aBr.t~ r·cnerr:.l arc~ .. that e. £'rou_p ot 300 Chinese W£'!'<2 C.ncountJi"-t·d on th.:; l'S!l· by ·e. tank-infentry !:>atrol·, "'here the onumy nttc·m,>tcd to kncck out our tank.s by. usC' of- se.tchol chnr;;es on the Enc1 of lon:· st:lcl~s. TP,n~ fire q1,1ickly t' i c,·,crs tC. and ci.rov c thc-r.1 bq ck..
d.::fn.::·S(-. Dll:r.i,n[s the 9cr1od :)rece(.1n;,? the· .lE'.un_chLl[' cf the Chinese counteroffensive, ai,r reports or troop conccntre.tions Jrest of our 1.-fSR._,_,crt• nonexistent.- Tl-1orc w.uro orily o.ocasional rc:;_Jorts of 1nd.1v1dusln or srJall -eroups •. .h.qtue.lly,, E'.t tl,.·.t time, ·theN were at laast four CCF ~.1v1-s1ons in ·the arr:a under surve-illance. O.p.c of the r.10st frcouent!l.y ue_ca. yJassivc ail' c.:cf(nses 1.rus the: "frcCzlri;u by CCF- troo:JS 1ri e kneeling or flm:E'ttin:: position l<~hilc El.ircraft. 'il'c.rc ovorh~P.C1 ~~1v1n~, th~ ir.l:,_)rossion, B.ocorc11rJt_: to p1!ote 1
rcpof.tS, of rocks or atL~!.1~:JS -:~.u:. to the. color ~f.
ti.1o air attack h~.c 1)llSStJd. · Hovc..mrnt would th.:m l)._, r.:.:sumcti. For usc in snow the CCF troops had e. jacket 1<1i th a "h1lo Hnrr which hcl'"'d then to bl1.md 1h with the lnric1ecapo; · sor.1o ~ . .J.so h~d a ahm<l or cape-liko ooverinr, whioh thqt usod to cov£-r theli\sclvcs in E\ squattin£:~ :'os1t1on 1 ~lvinE_ -the e.ppr.e.r..e.ncs of a small hr.ystack ,._,hen vic-1-._rcc"l fro,r.1 ~- d1 stF.nc c,. The: po ei t10n1n(" of lrenpons by· the CCF so E. a to f1 t in. with terrain features "as excellent, me.kinc· them difficult to 1c.oR-tc End knock ou.t~ In gC/'1tion, in 'eomo 1nstuno.: a the enemy [(l.sdc. ~ood ua·c of local mnterials to onmouflae:<• positions: · in others he maf!.e no Attcmr.~t e.t P.ll to ·cE..mouflago such th1n-~~s as cntrencb-rn:s.nts and gun :'cs!t!ons. Fer ehc:•ltcr, the Ch1nes(:J 1nval'1ably us_oa. oi thcr o;-vcs, mines or native houses t!.urinr tho U.aylirht hcurs. Thny mt:a.do 11 ttlc- attf'.rnpt to conceal trE:cka f'_nCl. tr~t!la t:hich !nC.:t.oe~tcCt usc r.rounc.:., e.D( lcac.inc up· to, the. shelters, .It is si[n1-f1cant that ener:1y carnou:f'l.!1..c;t:r,. CU,ecii)l.j,nc bC'oruno ocno1dcrably more·. la;: after ho haC been in combf'.t enci. tYpoeed to e1.r. str1kos f'or- SEl'iiCI'E"ol Ua.ys. '
. . ~
. f_. _l~1scellariooua: Psy_~holocic£'.1 t·:arfarn, ci!l:~-·loy1n~· lJropai£ande El.nC.. .eafo oonduot le..a.fl~l'ts, · r:-rounc1 anc.1. airborne l"Ouc-:spca.kc-r syatcme-, :.1rovtrl virtue.lly inc-:t'foctive r,r.e.1ns_t tha well-trained. "'' ''cll-Cliscbllnod CCF aol<''.iors. · :=rionsers stG"tc(. thP.t thO penalty for.beinc a.~prehenO.cd by the CCF for carryinf· .surrender lenflets uas hec.vy. .6urvc1llal1ce of the 1nc11v1<1u!ll soldier ""·s · otrict /al1cc ridii .e.n<' ·allouei .-.him 'Vit'tual·ly riO- ri-._S_cc~oiil of m6vCr.1~nt. · ~cr'ah ·:.:Juni·s;lr.iCnt:'wc._f(-\ 1m)oo's.oq ·;on thos.o who .ahoo'c<l j,n;l~o.':tj;p.n;&,·of.'. ' e.eroot_io)'l. . Only e. fo<T, -~nij1v~e,l'al:li'l:l!;l!!lnoe.~--w_ot'e · report Ca. ,_ifhcrc S!.lrren.c1cr, lce"fl. .. atB .plgyf;,<L_:a.·:·pa.r~ · 1n tl1o surrender of any Chinese• soli!ict's'; . In most oases they hs.a alri'nC.y c"cesortod l'l'ior to finclinS the leaflet. Gr,un<' an<l.· e1r~ol1lic' loud-. sp~c~to;rs_ ti.\;_r~- -o·.,mplato:;:ly ~ncff~Q:tiv.o '11-~_. ... ae rc,orts from prisoners were oonocrnad. · ou·r· · trOo~)s ot Yuclam-ni rQ·,ort~rl tha't followin~ the hcevy Chinese oountor'i,ttaok n ft:OLl) of Chinese C!:;_,.~~ro-~chcO, cur ·front linea. Wf1.V1tl.[; sur-r-ontl-~r lee fl ot s ant r.z>arontly with tho into.ntion of surrcnC:crin§·. Prior to .r~aohing· our lines, hovcv~r, th~ CCF troops suddenly rca.c~cC!. Clown .8.r:c:' stto.rteC. i:...1ck1nF up nca~'one thEtt hei' been c'rc•-.;Jc<' by their oPn troo•1s. 1n. tho battle the ~~rcccc":.inf.' n1~·ht. They th~n !;'1..nahec.'!. book unc1cr ccvcr.-
OLlr oper;;.tlons r1ur1n{!I 'this period is v1,:t'tur:lly imJlOssitle due to the C'Xtremcly ftc:vorsc· oonc"L1-t1ons unc1or which the bulk of tho conte.ct ''i th .::;nt:.rJy fcrce:s '\'as m£.dc. Ttie nnturo at r .. retro('r'rc1 c n.ovem;;nt, ee Has the fichtlnr after 27 Fcvembcr, .is r:ltu?..y~ such ns to prOClvii.s tho ~CC\ll""P.t.r: r.:vP~1 \'At.ir.n r~f"· hnt.h' ni"!T'Annn:"t1 ~nt ~-
quij;tnent ici~se~- inrlict<:-<". -on' -tila-;;;;e,;;y-rcircos; h0>!0VCl', information from fz:ont line ~ifle companies nne: from prl'soner .of war·: 1nt"errogat1on' h~s·· ocnt::;-ibutcd su-:f't'!o!ertt,l;,r"·;~_;,·r:_a·-e;eri.c';-~1 .. "" ·· assessment of enemy lo-sses· to --b.e"<lnade.;·· _; .,. '• :
·the 7-th Hnr1n,es .in the "five~~-ay. drive ar;r1nst the CCF' l24th Division eroun~. Sudonc. Th~ meat 1r.:tportE>.nt result- of this letter oper.ction is ccns1c1eroll to be the fe.ct tb,t' the 12-; th Di vision lossRs if.Tt'rc h1r.h enough to loucr ite conbl\t of1'oct1vcnes£l to almost zero. Scver}:ll ;_•risonJrs str.tcrl thr.t loesos to the l8~,th D1v1sicn hf!i'. hr-rn n~ h1r;h nR ?Fr.., nnd that tha {~1v1sicn hrr~.
bCCli Bim06t--cOO,l"tCiY ·die~rcaniZec1. (2) Fror.1 ';.? !\'ovcnber until 12 :Ucczmbcr,
the :>cr1cr1 !n •·.rhich the 9th CO? ~"'.roy Grcu:? · attc:n;>tec1 -to C.estrcy tnis !Jivieion in the Choshin :Rcccrvoir arcr., the Chin"s~ anffcrod f'.n est1raf.'.t;::Cl. ninimum of 15JOOO . .lq.~ l'.~ r.:-sult of cr:.untl.. ection. :r·~;ia cstli:·,ptz 1a bE"-..e::.cl U!iOn rc::oorts of t'rcntline rifle ccJOptm1es, pr.ttalion nn<1 rc'r;imcntr.l· cr.aue.lt~r c·stimttt-s c.nc1 ·1nformE'.t1'tm from. prisoner$ of '""''· In a<LUtion to those believe:' ldlled in e.ct1on 1 is the ast.1mato of- •7 1 50.0 -ono~Y. · oonelc1c.r-.-:,c1 to ht.vc bcon woun<let'_ in action, This cetiJOe.t~ is be.soc: u· . .:;on the rr..tio of one wounO.ec1 for ovcry tvo oncmy ·knled.. The total of killed nnd '-wunCl.cc1 r.s I'f,SUl t of f:roun~ ·.action is 22, ooo. In v.,"1tion, the lst Mr.r1ne Air ''line: cst1mr-to<l thc.t a o1inimum of 10,000 enemy had beon killed in !'.Ction t~ue to nir ettaoks durin!; thet er:me ~)criod. ii1th th ..... rturnbcr of woun.:.oc: cet1mntcd ~n th..:.: sr.mc rE'.tio !'.e E:bovc, tho total enemy cc..sur.lt1os for t~1.1a ~jt;r1od frorn both [round ['_nc1_ e.ir e.cticn nrC' e~st':L"!:tte·-:"" to bo f.l.bcnt fJ
r.iinir.lum of .36,000.
( ~·) ~ho rbnVF.: fi~_·urc Co.:n not inoluC..c fthy ostir.1E>.te of riOn-bc:ttle cnsu~lti·"' . .:...ccord-1n[" to the ·::r1eoncra, rttr1t1on C'.uo to frC>:czing,
On 22 September 1951, I took o£! from K-lB on a pre-briefed eriiHid. reconnaissance m1as1cm U.l.i.iiiber 1233 at 0540/I. Raturned to Ko;.lS and landed at 0730/I. I laMed tail ftrst. near the eni of runway 2.50 • Left brake would not hold plane 1
~R-5, on runway aftar landing. Couldn't hold it on runw0¥1 plBAo nosed up on north side of runway &bout one-third {l/3) of the way from the east end.
I oallod Lovelace 33-3 when on landing roll to take wove-off. :Plane hit soft sand, nosed up and settled baok to three (3) point attitude.
\
is/ ft. T. st·u~.r; R • T • '- i:·tllilr"
lstLt., L~ACR
DECLASSIFIED
Korean War Project USMC-00101884DECLASSIFIIW
STATE> l!l).'T Cll' CAPTAIN JOliN W, WTl'LE 027504/7302 USIICil, Vf.!i'-312, OOIICERNIIIG HIS CRASH IN El<"Et·ll' TERRI.TORY ON 30 SEI'l'liii!!IER 1951
At 1345/I on the 30th o! S<1>teaer 1951 I took off in DU!®er Dine plane of a twelve plane FlW-1$ rail atrike. numb-er 1231.1.. Our targ&t we.a tho rail line between KUW-Rl and SIJI!CEI10N, lfe epproaohod the target without incident at 13,500 feet. Appro:dlllatel)" 15 milee from ·t.vcot we began our high epeod letdown and puoho~ ov .. into our rune from 10,000 Yeet at l514o/l. The flight made reoovery to the left and cOI"'menoed a cl.hbing r~de!VO\H!. At ebo\lt 2500 t'e.et Oll the reooveey the plane waa felt to take a hit forward bJit conUnue.d. to pertor11 no:nnall7. The rendezvous was o!!eeted and after a radio· oheak to flight leader we took ~ a magnoUo hea~ing of 095 degrees towal'd the ea.at OO&at. 25 01" 30 20mm r;slf .... dsatr-u.c.ting burst war a o;ean cv~r th~ tsr.;et ~d 1 t :!. e e.uu!'!led that this •owae what struck the B.irorf\ft·.
At 155?/I, I noticed the oil pressure drop to 65 pound~ and aaked my wingman to check the oil coolers for leakage. The oil seemed to ba coming from the right aide so th~t cooler Wt\S shu.t off, The oil pressure held at 65 for approximately four to five minutee .. t whla!) time it 'beSM P. otency drClP to zero. »1 this time the flight he.d joined looeelf around to eecort me to thEi coast ~d a~iaed me to drop the beily tBnic. l-inen the oil pressure reached 10 pounds the prop -went in to full low pitch Md the RPM1 s went irnmediRtely to 2SOO. After approxtmAtet,. 30 seconds A.t thA.t speed, the engine froze. 'ote were flying down an east--tweet val;J.er at th1 s time at approdmatoly 75(10 feet, I informed my flight loader that ! was preparina to jump, opened the canopy and disao~meated Ill¥ hiiiiAiu~. At thia time I noticed e. stream val.lq running north whi-ch APPGR.ted to have no mAin :road. As thle looked like " more isolated R1'on lll1d the PlMe ""' halldli~>g vell, 1 decided to stey with ii nnd land in th~J~ •tren.m bed. Tho plN'le mA-de a normal full flA,P lA-nding, whae.la up. aeroaa a I'!Ild bRr A.nd ·settled in About 3 t'eet of wntar. This WA.B nt 16o0 At aJ 4995,
I immediately got out on the will& to e1gnal. tho JllP.neB that hl\d followed mo down th~t 1 was uninjured, ll'!vo planoa remn.tnod overhead giving excellent cover while the rest of thB flight flew off to oeoort the helfoopter to rny poe!tion. ~.o..lthou.gh there ~ere !'!':f'..ey fl"'-.1'!!--h!r'~!HH! in the v!dn--1ty, tho people remaJ.ned uoder cover Rlld me.de nil untowlll'd note dUring nv stR,Y there. Nor did I receive a.ey ena~ fire nt any time.
Tha flig.'tt ooilt;::wted. a helicopter of Mine _S~u.a.dron 3 flown by L-t. Farwell, USN and Nr, Kinl!aid, US!l, Tbq were eallorto~ in agatnat an estimated 4o knot headwind, They londed on the river bank: ll!ld 111<\do tho 'Pielo-o up ~t 1715, \fe were then closely eocorbeli 'bo.clt to the aoaat Md lMded vi thout indident Fl·ocard the LSD Guns ton ii:Rilt.
The entire rasc.ue oparaticn was hAndled. by e.ll N\nds with very i~ pressive efficiency, All poooible crodii ia dUo to thOse peoplo involve~,
1 also definitely Aqoe with the p1lota ot the flitht that tome !lotion be taken to shOW' due appreciation for the le.ok of O'ret•t A,dtl 'by the oiviliM~ within aight of the cush, 'l!hio would entail only !>lllll!hlete and food drops, etc. 1 and would probf\lll:y PAY dividend• 1n evenb ·of Mothor atmill\k" si t\lfl.-tion,