lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Sept 5, 2024 1:46:31 GMT
Day 74 of the Korean War, September 6th 1950Air operations - Korean peninsulaAs North Korean forces approached Taegu, Eighth Army headquarters withdrew to Pusan. Col. Aaron Tyler, airfield commander at Taegu, began moving the remaining aircraft, including the T-6 Mosquitoes of the 6147th Tactical Control Squadron, southward to Pusan. Photo: This formation of B-29s is shown flying over enemy territory in Korea. Over twenty-four million pounds of bombs have been dropped from B-29 bomb bays during the months of July and August, 6 September 1950Naval operations - Korean peninsulaA naval bombardment of Kunsan happens. United NationsTe U.N. Security Council votes down Soviet ambassador to the United Nations, Yakov Malik, August 4th proposal which was that the "internal civil war" in Korea be discussed with Chinese Communist representation in the United Nations and that all foreign troops be withdrawn from Korea.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Sept 6, 2024 22:11:44 GMT
Day 75 of the Korean War, September 7th 1950
Air operations - Korean peninsula
The 22nd Bombardment Group uses 24 B-29s to carry out a bombing mission on the ironworks in Chongjin, located in the far northeast of North Korea, under the direction of FEAF Bomber Command.
No. 77 Squadron RAAF, Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant Bill Harrop flying a North American P-51 Mustang is forced down behind enemy lines and executed by the North Koreans.
Naval operations - Korean peninsula
Colossus-class light fleet aircraft carrier HMS Triumph (R16) Triumph departs to the east coast for two days of operations off Wonsan.
United States
the Joint Chiefs of Staff call General MacArthur's attention to the fact that he had committed almost all of Eighth Army's reserves. He cannot expect no more reinforcements immediately. All available General Reserve units except the 82d Airborne Division have been sent to him already. If the Inch'on landing fail, the U.N. forces will be in grave danger. It will take at least four months before any of the newly called National Guard divisions can reach Korea.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Omar Bradley and United States Secretary of Defense, Louis A. Johnson raise with (United States) President Harry Truman the question of bombing Rashin again. They point out that most Soviet tanks for North Korea are shipped through Rashin and that approximately one-quarter of North Korea’s oil supplies are stored there. They asked the President approval for daylight raids on marshalling yards and other installations. United States Secretary of State,Dean Acheson whom President Truman has consulted expresses his fear of a violent Soviet reaction even if there were are no actual violation of the border. Such a reaction is more likely in view of the unfortunate incident in the Yellow Sea three days earlier when Soviet Air Force bomber was shot down off the coast of North Korea by two U.S. Navy fighter planes. The President expresses “considerable worry” over the proposed bombing and asked that the matter be reviewed thoroughly by officials of State and Defense. The Joint Chiefs of Staff accordingly instruct General MacArthur that no attacks are to be made on Rashin “at present,” owing to the tension caused by the destruction of the Soviet aircraft and the recent Manchurian border violation. They asked his views and were told that he concurred and that he had promulgated instructions accordingly.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff disagree with the view that the Korean fighting will be stabilized along the 38th Parallel. While quite aware of the possibility of Soviet Union ore Communist China entry into the conflict, they do not believe that MacArthur should be held back from crossing the parallel if he wished to do so for tactical reasons. Any views and proposals to the contrary, the military chiefs tell United States Secretary of Defense, Louis A. Johnson, were unrealistic. They agree with General MacArthur that the initial objective to be obtained was the destruction of North Korean forces. "We believe," they state: That after the strength of the North Korean forces has been broken, which is anticipated will occur south of 38 degrees North, that subsequently operations must take place both north and south of the 38th Parallel. Such operations should be conducted by South Korean forces since it is assumed that the actions will be of a guerrilla character. General MacArthur has plans for increasing the strength of the South Korean forces so that they should be adequate at the time to cope with this situation.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff decided to send CINCFE a final warning of the disastrous consequences that would ensue if the Inch’on landing miscarried, or if it failed to produce a quick victory. they transmit the following message: While we concur in launching a counter-offensive in Korea as early as is feasible, we have noted with considerable concern the recent trend of events there. In light of all factors including apparent commitment of practically all reserves available to Eighth Army, we desire your estimate as to feasibility and chance of success of projected operation if initiated on planned schedule. We are sure that you understand that all available trained Army units in the United States have been allocated to you except 82 Abn Div and that minimum of four months would elapse before first of partially trained National Guard Divisions could reach Korea in event that junction of main Eighth Army Forces with Tenth Cor s bridgehead should not quickly be effected with forces now available to FECOM.
Without hesitation, General MacArthur wired back an answer radiating the confidence of a commander long accustomed to victory in similar maneuvers. He told the Joint Chiefs of Staff that: there is no question in my mind as to the feasibility of the operation and I regard its chance of success as excellent. I go further and believe that it represents the only hope of wresting the initiative from the enemy and thereby presenting an op ortunity for a decisive blow. To do otherwise is to commit us to a war of in indenftie duration, of gradual attrition and of doubtful results, as the enemy has potentialities of reinforcement and build-up which exceed those of our own availability. . . . The situation within the perimeter is not critical. It is possible that there may be some contraction and defense positions have been selected for this contingent . There is no slightest possibility , however, of our force being ejected from the Pusan beachhead. The envelopment from the north will instantly relieve the pressure on the south perimeter and, indeed, is the only way that this can be accomplished. . The success of the enveloping movement from the north does not depend upon the rapid juncture of the X Corps and the 8th Army . The seizure of the heart of the enemy distribution system in the Seoul area will completely dislocate the logistical supply of his forces now operating in South Korea and therefore will ultimate result in their disintegration. . . Caught between our northern and our southern forces, both of which are completely self-sustaining because of our absolute air and naval supremacy, the enemy cannot fail to be ultimately shattered through disruption of his logistical support and our combined combat activities. The prompt junction of our two forces, while it would be dramatically symbolic of t 1 e complete collapse of the enemy, is not a vital part of the operation. For the reasons stated, there are no material than es under contemplation in the opration as planned and reported to you. i! he embarkation of the troops and the preliminary air and naval preparations are proceeding according to schedule. I repeat that I and all of my commanders and staff officers, without exception, are enthusiastic and confident of the success of the enveloping operation.“
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Sept 7, 2024 23:56:22 GMT
Day 76 of the Korean War, September 8th 1950
South Korea
Marine Brigade began loading at Pusan for amphibious assault at Inchon.
Air operations - Korean peninsula
The 18th FBG, which had departed Korea a month earlier, returned from Japan, settling at Pusan East (Tongnae).
Naval operations - Korean peninsula
With Colossus-class aircraft carrier HMS Triumph (R16) now operating on the East Coast in a effort to support the UN forces in the Pusan perimeter, a sortie is mounted in this area by six Fireflies, with six Seafires as escort with the mission to attack targets of opportunity in the Wonsan area. six Fireflies with six Seafires as escort flew south along the railway line looking for supply trains. They caught one which was then sprayed with cannon and rocket fire that caused extensive damage to the boxcars and blew up the loco whilst other patrols in the area that day attacked large concentrations of boxcars in the marshalling yards at Kowon and Yonghung and two railway tunnels, possibly with trains inside them, were totally blocked at both ends by rocket fire.
United States
General MacArthur declaration of confidence send yesterday convinces the Joint Chiefs of Staff to abandon their objections to the Inch’on operation and inform General MacArthur: “We approve your plan and President has been so informed,”
Canada
The Canadian Forces Act was passed in Canada, authorizing the government to use military forces as necessary "to answer the needs of collective security" and paving the way for Canadian participation in the Korean War.
Singapore
Aircraft repair ship and light aircraft carrier HMS Unicorn (I72) arrives back in Singapore from her trooping trip.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Sept 9, 2024 2:06:40 GMT
Day 77 of the Korean War, September 9th 1950
Land operations - Korean peninsula
North Korean forces attacking southeast of Hajang reached a point only eight miles from Taegu, their farthest penetration on the western front.
Air operations - Korean peninsula
Far East Air Force (FEAF) Bomber Command initiated a campaign aimed at disrupting the enemy’s rail reinforcements north of Seoul to counteract the potential counterattack against the UN landing at Inchon. In this effort, the medium bombers carried out simultaneous assaults on marshaling yards and targeted cuts to the rails at various points along crucial routes.
No. 77 Squadron RAAF, Royal Australian Air Force, Wing Commander Lou Spence, commanding No. 77 Squadron flying a North American P-51 Mustang is killed when his Mustang fails to pull out of a dive during a napalm attack on Angang-ni.
Naval operations - Korean peninsula
Aircraft operating from Colossus-class light fleet aircraft carrier HMS Triumph (R16) drop a bridge at Kanggu Hang.
Naval operations - Korean peninsula (Joint Task Force Seven )
Joint Task Force Seven (JTF 7) is formed effective with the mission to land X Corps (TF-92) at Inchon. JTF 7 is under the command of Seventh Fleet Commander, United States Navy, Vice Admiral Struble, who embarks on heavy cruiser Oregon City-class heavy cruiser USS Rochester (CA-124). X Corps was commanded by United States Army, Major General Edward Almond, and consisted of the 1st Marine Division (Major General Oliver Smith, USMC) and the U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division (of which 8,000 were hastily trained Korean troops, known at “Katusa.”) The Marines will conduct the initial amphibious assault on Inchon and the Army troops will be disembarked afterward. Vice Admiral Struble will be in charge of the operation until all the ground troops are ashore and then command will be transferred to Major General Almond.
The Commander of the Attack Force (Task Force 90) is United States Navy, Rear Admiral James Doyle embarked on the Mount McKinley class of amphibious force command ship USS Mount McKinley (AGC-7), along with United States Army, General MacArthur and United States Army, Major General Almond. TF 90 includes the Commencement Bay-class escort carriers Sicily (CVE-118) and USS Badoeng Strait (CVE-116), the Oregon City-class heavy cruiser USS Rochester (CA-124) and Baltimore-class heavy cruiser USS Toledo (CA-133), the Cleveland-class light cruiser USS Manchester (CL-83), Fiji-class cruisers HMS Jamaica (44) and HMS Kenya (14), 12 destroyers, one destroyer escort, four ROKN patrol boats (PC), eight patrol frigates (three USN, two Royal Navy, two Royal New Zealand Navy, and one French Navy), and one Patrol Escort, Control (PCEC). The minesweeper force included one minesweeper (AM), six motor minesweepers (AMS), and seven ROKN auxiliary motor minesweepers (YMS). Major amphibious ships included two amphibious command and control ships (AGC); three fast-transports (APD); five landing ship, dock (LSD); and three rocket ships (LSMR). The force had 47 landing ship, tank (LST) of which 30 were manned by Japanese crews. There was one hospital ship, the Haven-class hospital ship USS Consolation (AH-15). Transports included 30 Military Sea Transport Service (MSTS) vessels, 20 U.S. commercial cargo ships on time charter, and four Japanese cargo ships. The force totaled about 120 ships to lift troops and about 230 ships overall.
Task Force 91, the Blockade and Covering Force, was commanded by Royal Navy, Rear Admiral Sir William. G. Andrewes, and included the Colossus-class light fleet aircraft carrier HMS Triumph (R16), one light cruiser, and eight destroyers.
Task Force 77, the Fast Carrier Force, was commanded by United States Navy Rear Admiral Edward C. Ewen, and included the Essex-class aircraft carriers USS Boxer (CV-21), USS Valley Forge (CV-45) and USS Philippine Sea (CV-47), one light cruiser, and 14 destroyers.
Task Force 99, the Patrol and Reconnaissance Force, was commanded by United States Navy Rear Admiral George R. Henderson and included two seaplane tenders (AV), one small seaplane tender (AVP), with three U.S. Navy and two Royal Navy patrol squadrons.
Task Force 79, the Service Squadron, was commanded by United States Navy, Captain B. L. Austin and included 21 various auxiliaries including destroyer tenders, oilers, and an ammunition ship, tugs, and salvage vessels.
The supporting Task Forces totaled about 52 ships.
China
China transferred its 9th Army Corps away from plans to attack Taiwan, moving it to the border with North Korea.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Sept 10, 2024 1:00:38 GMT
Day 78 of the Korean War, September 10th 1950
Air operations - Korean peninsula
As a result of the USN Task Force 77’s unexpected withdrawal from close air support of Eighth Army on Sept. 3, Stratemeyer persuaded MacArthur to direct that all close air support requests must be routed through 5th Air Force. If 5th Air Force lacked resources to meet the requests, they were to be forwarded to FEAF headquarters for coordination with the commander, Naval Forces, Far East.
43 American warplanes flew over Wolmi-do, dropping 93 napalm canisters to "burn out" its eastern slope in an attempt to clear the way for American troops.
Naval operations - Korean peninsula
PC-461 Class Submarine Chaser ROKS Samgaksan (PC 703) sinks a mine-layer off Haeju reports that the mouth of Haeju Man has been mined.
Japan
With only a few few hours before the first troops hit the beach did the Joint Chiefs of Staff learn the details of the Inch’on operation. The courier bearing the operations order, United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel Lynn D. Smith left Tokyo with General MacArthur’s injunction. The General gave him a further message to the Joint Chiefs of Staff that showed that he still expected some opposition. “If they say it is too big a gamble,” he tells Smith: “tell them I said this is throwing a nickle in the pot after it has been opened for a dollar”.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Sept 11, 2024 1:39:59 GMT
Day 79 of the Korean War, September 11th 1950
South Korea
The Eighth Army published its attack plan in support of the upcoming Operation Chromite (Inchon landings). The plan sets the hour for attack by UN and Republic of Korea Army (ROK) forces in the Perimeter at 09:00, 16 September, one day after the Inchon landing. The U.S. Eighth and the ROK armies are to attack "from present bridgehead with main effort directed along the Taegu-Kumch'on-Taejon-Suwon axis," to destroy the KPA forces "on line of advance," and to effect a "junction with X Corps." The operations directive requires the newly formed US I Corps in the center of the Perimeter line to strive for the main breakthrough. The following reasons dictated this concept: (1) the distance to the link-up area with X Corps was shorter than that from elsewhere around the Perimeter, (2) the road net was better and had easier grades, (3) the road net offered the armor better opportunity to exploit a breakthrough, and (4) supply to advancing columns would be easier. The plan calls for the US 5th Regimental Combat Team and the 1st Cavalry Division to seize a bridgehead over the Naktong River near Waegwan. The US 24th Infantry Division will then cross the river and drive on Kumch'on-Taejon, followed by the 1st Cavalry Division which will patrol its rear and lines of communications. While this breakthrough attempt is in progress, the 25th and 2nd Infantry Divisions in the south on the army left flank and the ROK II and I Corps on the east and right flank are to attack and fix the KPA troops in their zones and to exploit any local breakthrough. The ROK 17th Regiment is to move to Pusan for water movement to Inchon to join X Corps.
United States
(United States) President Harry Truman signs NSC 81, the recommendation of the National Security Council, expanding the original goal for the U.S. response in the Korean War. Rather than liberating South Korea, the plan became one of conquering North Korea in order to reunite the peninsula, with American troops to cross the 38th parallel that divided the two nations.
United Nations
Te U.N. Security Council votes down Soviet ambassador to the United Nations, Yakov Malik move to have Chinese Communists come to the United Nations to consider Chinese charges of border violation by the United States.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Sept 12, 2024 1:31:03 GMT
Day 80 of the Korean War, September 12th 1950
Land operations - Korean peninsula
Battle of Kyongju (August 27 – September 12, 1950): Holding a line north of P'ohang-dong, An'gang-ni, and Kyongju, the so-called "Kyongju corridor," the ROK I Corps was unexpectedly hit with an attack by the KPA's II Corps, part of the wider Great Naktong Offensive. The ROK troops, already demoralized and struggling to maintain a strong defensive line, were easily pushed back from their positions. US units were called in to assist the ROK to repel the attack. Fighting was heavy and the two sides fought to capture and recapture P'ohang-dong and An'gang-ni, with the KPA seeking to break through the Kyongju corridor as a way to attack the UN base at Pusan. However, with large amounts of UN air and naval support, the US and ROK forces were able to rout and force back the KPA troops after two weeks of fighting.
The U.S. 8245th Army Unit staged an amphibious landing at South Korea's Kusan Bay as a diversion, three days in advance of the U.S. landing at Inchon.
Naval operations - Korean peninsula
COMNAVFE established UN Blockading Escort Force (TF95) under RADM Allan E. Smith.
PC-461 Class Submarine Chaser ROKS Samgaksan (PC 703) sinks three North Korean watercraft in the approaches to Inchon.
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Post by lordroel on Sept 13, 2024 2:22:18 GMT
Day 81 of the Korean War, September 13th 1950Air operations - Korean peninsulaTyphoon Kezia hit southern Japan, hampering FEAF operations and forcing some aircraft to move temporarily to Pusan and Taegu. Naval operations - Korean peninsulaColossus-class light fleet aircraft carrier HMS Triumph (R16) has aircraft conduct armed reconnaissance patrols along the Korean coast. Bay-class anti-aircraft frigate HMS Whitesand Bay (K633) lands US Army special operations troops and Royal Marine Commandos on the docks at Kunsan, making sure that North Korean forces notice their visit. The U.S. Navy's Destroyer Squadron 9, headed by Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers USS Mansfield (DD-728), steams up Flying Fish Channel and into Incheon Harbor, where it fired upon KPA gun emplacements on Wolmi-do and in Incheon. Between them, two British cruisers and six American destroyers fire almost a thousand 5-inch (127-mm) and 6-inch (152-mm) shells onto the fortifications. The attacks tipped off the KPA that a landing might be imminent, and the KPA officer in command on Wolmi-do assured his superiors that he would throw their enemies back into the sea. North Korea's 918th Coastal Artillery Regiment returned fire, hitting Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers USS Collett (DD-730) seven times, Gearing-class destroyer USS Gurke (DD-783)three times, and Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729) twice. Aboard Lyman K. Swenson, Lieutenant (junior grade) David H. Swenson is killed and eight others were wounded. The American destroyers withdaw after bombarding Wolmi-do for an hour and Oregon City-class heavy cruiser USS Rochester (CA-124), Baltimore-class heavy cruiser USS Toledo (CA-133), Fiji-class cruisers HMS Jamaica (44) and HMS Kenya (14) proceed to bombard the KPA batteries for the next three hours from the south of the island. United States Navy, Lieutenant Eugene F. Clark and his South Korean squad watch from hills south of Incheon, plotting locations where KPA machine guns are firing at the flotilla and relaying this information to the invasion force via Japan in the afternoon. Photo: Five U.S. Navy destroyers steam up the Inchon channel to bombard Wolmi-Do island,. Wolmi-Do is in the right center background, with smoke rising from air strikes. The ships were USS Mansfield (DD-728), USS De Haven (DD-727), USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729), USS Collett (DD-730) and USS Gurke (DD-783), 13 September 1950Photo: Wolmi-Do island under bombardment. Photographed from USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729), one of whose 40mm gun mounts is in the foreground. Sowolmi-Do island, connected to Wolmi-Do by a causeway, is at the right, with Inchon beyond, 13 September 1950
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Post by lordroel on Sept 14, 2024 4:03:27 GMT
Day 82 of the Korean War, September 14th 1950Naval operations - Korean peninsulaVice Admiral Arthur D. Struble onboard his flagship, the heavy cruiser Oregon City-class heavy cruiser USS Rochester (CA-124) decides on another day of bombardment against Incheon Harbor, and the destroyers moved back up the channel off Wolmi-do. They and the cruisers bombarded the island again and planes from the carrier task force bombed and strafed it. Photo: The after turret of the United States Navy heavy cruiser USS Toledo (CA-133) fires its 8-inch (203-mm) 55-caliber guns at enemy targets ashore around Incheon, South Korea, during the pre-invasion bombardment prior to the amphibious landings at Inchon during the Korean War, 14 September 1950As Transport and Tractor Groups were approaching the objective and as the bombardment of Wolmi Do continued, carrier-borne aircraft were in operation and on call along the entire western coast of South Korea. Colossus-class light fleet aircraft carrier HMS Triumph (R16) was working over the Kunsan region while maintaining four fighters ready for immediate launching as combat air patrol for transports south of 36 degrees. Carrier Division 15 was back on station, and in addition to keeping fighters on call to cover shipping north of 36 degrees was providing spotting aircraft and combat air patrol for the Wolmi Do bombardment ships. From the middle of the Yellow Sea the fast carriers maintained a tactical air coordinator over the Inchon area from dawn to dusk, and provided him with three strikes, morning, midday, and afternoon, of 16 ADs apiece. Photo: Marine tank crewmen prepare ammunition for their tanks on board ship enroute to the Inchon beachhead, 14 September 1950Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Rowan (DD-782) silhouetted against the sun on 14 September 1950, as she escorts the amphibious command ship USS Mount McKinley (AGC-7) off the Korean coast en route to Inchon, KoreaIowa-class battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) arrives just west of Kyūshū where she will act as the flagship of Rear Admiral Allan Edward Smith. United StatesUnited States Army, Lieutenant Colonel Lynn D. Smith appears before the Joint Chiefs of Staff bearing the operations order for the upcoming Inch’on operation. By the time he has completed his presentation and had answered questions, it was too late for the Joint Chiefs of Staff to have cancelled the plan. H-Hour had been set for 0630, Far East time, on 15 September.
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Post by lordroel on Sept 15, 2024 0:24:15 GMT
Day 83 of the Korean War, September 15th 1950Land operations - Korean peninsulaBattle of Ka-san (September 1–15, 1950): Attempting to capture Taegu as part of the Great Naktong Offensive, the KPA 1st and 13th Divisions advanced to the hill masses north of the city where they confronted the US 1st Cavalry Division and the ROK 1st Division. The KPA sought to occupy a number of hill masses, most prominently Hill 902, known to South Koreans as Ka-san, for the ancient fortress situated atop it. In two weeks of fighting in and around the fortress, the KPA were able to gradually push back the UN forces from Ka-san and Hills 755 and 314 to the south, but the UN forces held out strongly and the KPA were not able to quickly consolidate their gains. The UN forces defended the ground tenaciously, even assigning a battalion of engineers to fight on the front lines, eventually preventing the KPA from advancing long enough for the KPA to be outflanked by the Inchon landings on 15 September and on 16 September the UN forces began their breakout from the Pusan Perimeter which drove the KPA from the area. Map: Map of the Pusan Perimeter Defensive line in September 1950 the Kyongju corridor is the northeasternmost sector, 1 September to 15 September 1950 Second Battle of Naktong Bulge: (September 2–15, 1950): After the First Battle of Naktong Bulge (August 5–19, 1950), the US 2nd Infantry Division was moved to defend the Naktong River line. The division, which was untried in combat, was struck with a strong attack by several KPA divisions which crossed the river and struck all along the division's line. The force of the attack split the 2nd Infantry Division in half, and the KPA were able to penetrate to Yongsan, promoting a fight there. The urgency of the threat to Pusan Perimeter prompted the US Marine Corps 1st Provisional Marine Brigade to be brought in to reinforce the US Army troops. In two weeks of heavy fighting, the US forces were able to force the KPA out of the Naktong Bulge region. The KPA were outflanked by the Inchon landings on 15 September and on September 16th the UN forces began their breakout from the Pusan Perimeter which drove the KPA from the area. Battle of Yongsan (September 1–15, 1950): During the nearby Second Battle of Naktong Bulge, the KPA broke through the US 2nd Infantry Division lines along the Naktong River. Exploiting this weakness, the KPA 9th and 4th Divisions attacked to Yongsan, a village east of the river and the gateway to the UN lines of supply and reinforcement for the Pusan Perimeter. What followed was a fight between KPA and US forces for Yongsan. The KPA were able to briefly capture Yongsan from the 2nd Infantry Division, which had been split in half from the penetrations at Naktong Bulge. United states Army, Lieutenant General Walton Walker, seeing the danger of the attack, brought in the US Marine Corps 1st Provisional Marine Brigade to counterattack. In three days of fierce fighting, the Army and Marine forces were able to push the KPA out of the town and destroy the two attacking divisions. The win was a key step toward victory in the fight at the Naktong Bulge. Battle of Tabu-dong ( September 1-15, 1950): Holding positions north of the crucial city of Taegu, the US 1st Cavalry Division stood at the center and the Korean Army, 1st Infantry Division held at the northwest of the Pusan Perimeter defensive line, tasked with keeping the UN headquarters secured from attacks from the KPA. On September 1, the KPA 3rd Division attacked as part of the Great Naktong Offensive. What followed was a two-week battle around Tabu-dong and Waegwan in which the KPA were able to gradually push the 1st Cavalry Division back from its lines. However, the KPA were not able to force the US and ROK troops to withdraw completely or push the UN out of Taegu. The KPA was outflanked by the Inchon landings on 15 September and on September 16th the UN forces began their breakout from the Pusan Perimeter, forcing the KPA to abandon their attacks on Tabu-dong. A North Korean force is landed on the island of Yonghung Do, the outnumbered ROK garrison is taken off by PC-461-class submarine chaser ROKS Baekdusan (PC-701). Naval operations - Korean peninsula (Battle of Inchon) At 00:50, United States Navy, Lieutenant Eugene F. Clark and his South Korean squad activated the lighthouse on the island of Palmido. Later that morning, the ships carrying the amphibious force followed the destroyers toward Incheon and entered Flying Fish Channel, and the US Marines of the invasion force got ready to make the first landings on Wolmi-do. Photo: A U.S. Navy Vought F4U-4B Corsair of Fighter Squadron 113 (VF-113) Stingers flies over U.S. ships at Inchon, Korea, on 15 Septmeber 1950. VF-113 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 11 (CVG-11) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Philippine Sea (CV-47). The pilot was James Victor Rowney, the operations and maintenance officer of CVG-11. The battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) is visible below the CorsairAt 06:30, the lead elements of X Corps hit "Green Beach" on the northern side of Wolmido. The landing force consisted of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, led by Lieutenant Colonel Robert Taplett and nine M26 Pershing tanks from the USMC 1st Tank Battalion. One tank was equipped with a flamethrower and two others had bulldozer blades. The battle group landed from tank landing ships (LSTs). The entire island was captured by noon at the cost of just 14 casualties. Map: The landing at IncheonYouTube (Battle of Inchon 1950)The KPA defenders were outnumbered by more than six to one by the UN troops. KPA casualties included over 200 killed and 136 captured, primarily from the 918th Artillery Regiment and the 226th Independent Marine Regiment. The forces on Green Beach had to wait until 19:50 for the tide to rise, allowing another group to land. During this time, extensive shelling and bombing, along with anti-tank mines placed on the only bridge, kept the small KPA force from launching a significant counterattack.[citation needed] The second wave came ashore at "Red Beach" and "Blue Beach". The North Koreans had not been expecting an invasion at Incheon. After the storming of Green Beach, the KPA assumed (probably because of deliberate American disinformation) that the main invasion would happen at Kunsan. As a result, only a small force was diverted to Incheon. Even those forces were too late, and they arrived after the UN forces had taken Blue Beach and Red Beach. The troops already stationed at Incheon had been weakened by Clark's guerrillas, and napalm bombing runs had destroyed key ammunition dumps. In total, 261 ships took part.[citation needed] Photo: Brigadier General Courtney Whitney, government section, Far East Command; General Douglas MacArthur, Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command, and Major General Edward Almond (at right, pointing), Commanding General, X Corps in Korea, observe the shelling of Incheon from the USS Mount McKinley (AGC-7), 15 September 1950, 15 September 1950For Red Beach and Blue Beach, United States Navy, Vice Admiral James H. Doyle, commander of an amphibious ready group, announced that H-Hour, time of landing, would be 17:30. The KPA 22nd Infantry Regiment had moved to Incheon before dawn, but retreated to Seoul after the main landing that evening. The Red Beach forces, made up of the Regimental Combat Team 5, which included the 3rd Battalion of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC), used ladders to scale the sea walls. United States Marines, Lieutenant Colonel Raymond L. Murray, serving as commanding officer of the 5th Marines, had the mission of seizing an area 3,000 yards (2,700 m) long and 1,000 yards (910 m) deep, extending from Cemetery Hill (northern) at the top down to the Inner Tidal Basin (near Tidal Basin at the bottom) and including the promontory in the middle called Observatory Hill. (See Map) The 1st Battalion, 5th Marines would be on the left, against Cemetery Hill and northern half of Observatory Hill. The 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines would take the southern half of Observatory Hill and Inner Basin. Photo: Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez of the Marine Corps is shown scaling a seawall after landing on Red Beach. Minutes after this photo was taken, Lopez was killed after covering a live grenade with his body. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, 15 September 1950Late on the afternoon of September 15, the LSTs approached Red Beach and as the lead ships, they came under heavy mortar and machine gun fire from KPA defenders on Cemetery Hill. Despite the concentrated fire, they disembarked assault troops and unloaded vital support equipment. In addition, their guns wiped out KPA batteries on the right flank of Red Beach. LST-542-class tank landing ships USS King County (LST-857), USS Lafayette County (LST-859) and USS LST-973, three of the eight LSTs took some hits from mortar and machine gun fire, which killed a sailor and injured a few others. The LSTs completed unloading and cleared the beach at high tide early on 16 September. Photo: The first wave of U.S. Marines heads for the landing beach in LCVPs, 15 September 1950. This landing is probably that on Red Beach, on the northern side of the Inchon invasion area. The submarine chaser (PC) at the far right is a unit of the Republic of Korea NavyPhoto: Landing craft of the first and second waves approach Red Beach during the United Nations amphibious landings at Inchon, Korea, on 15 September 1950. The United States Navy destroyer USS De Haven (DD-727) is at bottom center. Photographed from a Marine Air Group Twelve (MAG-12) aircraft from either VMF-214 or VMF-215, 15 September 1950Photo: Inchon Invasion, September 1950: A LSMR fires rockets as LVTs cross the line of departure to take U.S. Marines to "Blue Beach" on the first day of landings, 15 September 1950. Wolmi-Do island is in the left center background. The Inchon waterfront is in the right center distance, with heavy smoke rising from pre-invasion bombardmentAfter neutralizing KPA defenses at Incheon on the night of September 15, units from Red Beach opened the causeway to Wolmi-do, allowing the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines and the tanks from Green Beach to enter the battle for Incheon. Photo: Leathernecks lead patrol between destroyed buildings in "mop-up" of Wolmi Island, gateway to Inchon. September 15, 1950The 1st Marine Regiment, under the command of United States Marines, Colonel Lewis "Chesty" Puller, landed at Blue Beach, 2.5 miles (4.0 km) southeast of Red and Green beaches. Their mission, once the beach was secure, was to capture the suburb of Yongdungpo, cross the Han River, and form the right flank of the attack on Seoul itself. As the 1st Marine Regiment approached the coast, the combined fire from several KPA gun emplacements sank one LST. Destroyer fire and bombing runs silenced the KPA defenses. When the Blue Beach forces finally arrived, the KPA forces at Incheon had already surrendered, so they met little opposition and suffered few additional casualties. The 1st Marine Regiment spent much of its time strengthening the beachhead and preparing for the move inland. Photo: Marines with a bazooka and a protecting machine gun set up a security post against possible tank counter-attack. 1stMarDiv. Korea, 15 September 1950Immediately after KPA resistance was extinguished in Incheon, the supply and reinforcement process began. Seabees and Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs) that had arrived with the US Marines constructed a pontoon dock on Green Beach and cleared debris from the water. The dock was then used to unload the remainder of the LSTs. Early that morning of September 16, Lieutenant Colonel Murray and Colonel Puller had their operational orders from United States Marines, General Oliver P. Smith, commander, 1st Marine Division. The 1st Marines and 5th Marines began moving along the Incheon-Seoul road. Photo: The Landings at Inchon. Aerial Photographs Taken From Carrier Borne Aircraft of HMS Triumph Operating in Korean Waters in Support of the Landings. North Korean tanks burning and American tanks and Marines advancing on the main Inchon-Seoul road, six miles east of Inchon. North Koreans on the high ground in this area had been holding up the advance for some time, 15 September 1950Naval operations - Korean peninsula (Battle of Inchon) Iowa-class battleship USS Missouri (BB 63) arrives from the Atlantic and joins TG 95.2. On here first day at war, Missouri fires 52 16” projectiles, damaging two railroad bridges near Samchok with the aid of her helicopter spotters. Naval operations - Korean peninsula (Battle of Jangsari) LST-1-class tank landing ship ROKS Munsan transporting the South Korean 1st Army Independent Guerrilla Battalion, composed of student volunteers under the command of Republic of Korea Army, Captain Lee Myeong-heum, battalion commander, specially trained and armed with Russian-type weapons, to Changsa-dong, ten miles above P'ohang-dong, where the battalion landed two and a half hours after midnight in the rear of the N.K. 5th Division. Its mission was to harass the enemy rear while the 3rd Infantry Division (South Korea) attacked frontally below P'ohang-dong. That evening the enemy division sent a battalion from its 12th Regiment to the coastal hills where the Miryang Battalion had taken a position and there engaged it. The Republic of Korea Army, guerrilla battalion's effort turns into a complete fiasco. The U.S. Navy has to rush to its assistance and place a ring of naval gunfire around it on the beach, where enemy fire has driven the battalion. This saved it from total destruction. Photo: Republic of Korea LST Munsan, broached on the beach after an attempt to insert South Korean guerillas behind enemy lines north of Pohang in mid-September 1950. A second ROK LST is in the background. Numbers visible inside Munsan's bow opening indicate that she may be the former USS LST-120, which was transferred to the Department of State in 1947Naval operations - Korean peninsulaEssex-class aircraft carrier USS Boxer (CV 21) reports for duty with TF 77. Air operations - Korean peninsulaUSN and US Marine Corps aircraft from carriers provided air cover during the amphibious assault (Battle of Inchon). At the same time, FEAF air raids in South Korea prepared the way for the planned Eighth Army advance from the Pusan Perimeter. SingaporeAircraft repair ship and light aircraft carrier HMS Unicorn (I72) begins a short refit in Sembawang Naval Dockyard.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Sept 16, 2024 0:44:07 GMT
Day 84 of the Korean War, September 16th 1950Land operations - Korean peninsulaReno Evening Gazette (Reno, Nevada) 16 September 1950The 1st Marines and 5th Marines begin moving along the Incheon-Seoul road. the 5th Marines (from Red and Green Beaches) started generally east along the Incheon-Seoul road, intending to link up with the left of the 1st Marine Regiment so both regiments could move on Seoul. Six solitary T-34 tanks moving west towards Incheon appeared as the advancing 5th Marines reached the village of Kansong-ni. A strike force of eight Marine F4U Corsairs from VMF-214 attacked the tanks, destroying two and driving the others off. M26 Pershing tanks of the 1st Tank Battalion destroyed three more KPA tanks shortly thereafter. South of the 5th Marines, the 1st Marines, having spent most of the day consolidating its scattered units, did not move east until about 16:00 hrs. Photo: The Landings at Inchon. Aerial Photographs Taken From Carrier Borne Aircraft of HMS Triumph Operating in Korean Waters in Support of the Landings. American Marines advancing through the outskirts of Inchon. The date and time on the negative read 16 September 1950 at 0830 hoursUnited States Navy, Rear Admiral Lyman A. Thackrey, Commander Amphibious Group 3, onboard the Mount McKinley-class amphibious force command ship USS Eldorado (AGC-11) arrives at Inchon and is put in charge of port operations. His presence will prove helpful in coordinating the efforts of the undermanned Beach Group in its three non-contiguous unloading zones, in setting up an unloading schedule, and in getting the inner harbor into operation. Land operations - Korean peninsula (Pusan Perimeter offensive) The morning dawned over southern Korea with murky skies and heavy rain. The weather was so bad the air force canceled a B-29 saturation bombing scheduled against the KPA positions in the Waegwan area. The general attack set for 09:00 did not swing into motion everywhere around the Perimeter at the appointed hour for the simple reason that at many places the KPA were attacking and UN troops defending. Only in a few places were significant gains made on the first day of the offensive. The ROK 15th Regiment, 1st Division advanced to the right of the KPA strongpoint at the Walled City north of Taegu in a penetration of the KPA line. Southward, the US 2nd Division after hard fighting broke through 5 miles (8.0 km) to the hills overlooking the Naktong River. The most spectacular success of the first day occurred in the 2nd Division zone. There, west of Yongsan and Changnyong, the 2nd Division launched a 3-regiment attack with the 9th Infantry Regiment on the left, the 23rd Infantry Regiment in the center and the 38th Infantry Regiment on the right. Its first mission was to drive the KPA 4th, 9th and 2nd Divisions back across the Naktong. The attack on the left failed as the KPA continued to hold Hill 201 against all attacks of the 9th Infantry. In the center, a vicious KPA predawn attack penetrated the perimeter of C Company, 23rd Infantry, and caused twenty-five casualties, which included all company officers and the platoon leader of the attached heavy weapons platoon. On the 15th, the 3rd Battalion had returned to regimental control from attachment to the 1st Cavalry Division, and because it had not been involved in the preceding two weeks of heavy fighting, Regiment commander Colonel Paul L. Freeman Jr. assigned it the main attack effort in the 23rd Infantry zone. After the early morning attack on the 16th was repulsed, Lt. Col. R. G. Sherrard ordered his 3rd Battalion to move out at 10:00 in attack, with C Company of the 72nd Tank Company in support. KPA resistance was stubborn and effective until about midafternoon when the North Koreans began to vacate their positions and flee toward the Naktong. To take advantage of such a break in the fighting, a special task force comprising B Battery, 82nd Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion and the 23rd Regimental Tank Company had been formed for the purpose of advancing rapidly to cut off the KPA. From about 16:00 until dark this task force with its heavy volume of automatic fire cut down large numbers of fleeing KPA along the river. The weather had cleared in the afternoon and numerous air strikes added to the near annihilation of part of the routed army. The 38th Infantry on the right kept pace with the 23rd Infantry in the center. Four F-51s napalmed, rocketed, and strafed just ahead of the 38th Infantry, contributing heavily to the 2nd Battalion's capture of Hill 208 overlooking the Naktong River. Fighter planes operating in the afternoon caught and strafed large groups of KPA withdrawing toward the river west of Changnyong. That night the KPA 2nd Division command post withdrew across the river, followed by the 4th, 6th and 17th Rifle Regiments and the division artillery regiment. Their crossings continued into the next day. Naval operations - Korean peninsulaThe Iowa-class battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) appears off P'ohang-dong and pounds the enemy positions below the town, along the dike north of the Hyongsan-gang, with 2,000-pound shells from its 16-inch guns. North Korean occupied South KoreaIn a convoy of fifty trucks, the North Korean Army drove 1,250 South Korean and American prisoners of war to a mountain valley, fed them rice and wine, and then, after being signaled by a blue flare, carried out a massacre of the group. GuamYMS-1-class minesweepers USS USS Magpie (AMS-25) and USS Merganser (AMS-26) of Minesweeper Division 4 (Mindiv 52) depart for Korean Waters.
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