Korean War (1950 – 1953) in Real Time

[lordroel]

Day 89 of the Korean War, September 21st 1950

Land operations - Korean peninsula

United States Marine Corps, 7th Marine Regiment lands at Inchon.

Air operations - Korean peninsula

A Marine aircraft sorties from Kimpo Airfield made for first time.

USAF forward air controllers in T-6 Mosquitoes, equipped with air-to-ground radios, spotted about 30 enemy tanks preparing to ambush the advancing 24th Infantry Division. They called USAF aircraft and USA ground artillery, which destroyed 14 enemy tanks and forced the rest to flee.

Combat Cargo Command C-54s began airlifting supplies, including 65 tons of rations and ammunition to newly captured Suwon airfield south of Seoul. C-119s initiated airdrops of food and ammunition to front-line UN troops.

Naval operations - Korean peninsula

With only three Seafires and eight Fireflies left operational, the decision is taken for Colossus-class aircraft carrier HMS Triumph (R16) to disengage and orders are received to return to the United Kingdom; her sister ship, Colossus-class light fleet aircraft carrier HMS Theseus (R64) is due to arrive in theater within a week carrying more modern Firefly A.S.Mk.5s and Sea Fury F.B.11s.

NKPA troops crossed the Han and assaulted South Korean marine positions northwest of Kimpo airfield. Carrier aircraft and the naval gunfire of Baltimore-class heavy cruiser USS Toledo (CA-133) obliterate the Communist attacking force.

[lordroel]

Day 90 of the Korean War, September 22nd 1950

Land operations - Korean peninsula (Pusan Perimeter offensive)

United States Army, General Edwin Walker issued his order for the pursuit which stats: Enemy resistance has deteriorated along the Eighth Army front permitting the assumption of a general offensive from present positions. In view of this situation it is mandatory that all efforts be directed toward the destruction of the enemy by effecting deep penetrations, fully exploiting enemy weaknesses, and through the conduct of enveloping or encircling maneuver get astride enemy lines of withdrawal to cut his attempted retreat and destroy him. The order directs a full-scale offensive: I Corps to continue to make the main effort along the Taegu-Kumch'on-Taejon-Suwon axis and to effect a juncture with X Corps; the 2d Infantry Division to launch an unlimited objective attack along the Hyopch'on-Koch'ang-Anui-Chonju-Kanggyong axis; the 25th Division on the army's southern flank to seize Chinju and be ready to attack west or northwest on army order; and the ROK Army in the east to destroy the enemy in its zone by deep penetrations and enveloping maneuvers. An important section of the Eighth Army order and a key to the contemplated operation stated, "Commanders will advance where necessary without regard to lateral security."

Air operations - Korean peninsula

B-29s dropped flares over rail lines, allowing B-26s to attack enemy trains at night.

United States Air Force, lieutenant George W. Nelson, a pilot flying a Mosquito aircraft, dropped a note to 200 enemy troops northeast of Kunsan demanding their surrender. They complied, moving to a designated hill to be captured by nearby UN ground troops.

Photo: U.S Marines return fire from North Korean snipers as they fight street to street in the South Korean capital of Seoul, 22 September 1950



China

The Chinese Foreign Office declares that China will always stand on the side of the "Korean people."

United States

In a brief White House ceremony (United States) President Harry Truman awards the United States Army, General Bradley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff his fifth star. Thus an anomaly in General Bradley’s position is eliminated. The National Security Act Amendments of 1949, which created the JCS Chairmanship, has specified that the incumbent will “take precedence” over all other officers of the Armed Services; yet as a four-star general, General Bradley had until today actually been outranked by General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, the last of the five-star officers of World War II remaining on active duty.

[lordroel]

Day 91 of the Korean War, September 23rd 1950

Land operations - Korean peninsula

The Korean People's Army (KPA) is in retreat from the Pusan Perimeter. US Eighth Army, motorized and led by armored spearheads, is ready to sweep forward along the main axes of advance.

Land operations - Korean peninsula (Battle of Hill 282)

The British Army, Battalion of Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders move up to attack Hill 282 near Songju. Starting before dawn, B and C Companies after an hour's climb seized the crest of Hill 282 surprising there a North Korean force at breakfast. Across a saddle, and nearly a mile away to the southwest, higher Hill 388 dominated the one they had just occupied. C Company started toward it.

North Korean troops occupying this hill already were moving to attack the one just taken by the British. The North Koreans supported their attack with artillery and mortar fire, which began falling on the British. The action continued throughout the morning with North Korean fire increasing in intensity. Shortly before noon, with American artillery fire inexplicably withdrawn and the five supporting U.S. tanks unable to bring the North Koreans under fire because of terrain obstacles, the Argylls called for an air strike on the North Korean-held Hill 388.

Just after noon the Argylls heard the sound of approaching aircraft. Three United States Air Force P-51 Mustangs of the 18th Fighter Bomber Wing circled Hill 282 where the British displayed their white recognition panels. The North Koreans on Hill 388 also displayed white panels. To his dismay, British Army, Captain Radcliff of the tactical air control party had a defective radio which prevented him from establishing contact with the F-51s and it was later revealed that several British forward air controllers had yet to notify the pilots of proper air recognition panels. At 12:15, the Mustangs, confused by the panels and no radio contact with friendly ground forces, dropped napalm bombs onto the Argylls' position and also strafed it with 50 calibre machine-gun fire.

The attack was over in two minutes and left the hilltop a sea of orange flame. Survivors plunged 50 ft down the slope to escape the burning napalm. British Army, Major, Kenneth Muir, second in command of the Argylls, who had led an ammunition resupply and litter-bearing party to the crest before noon, watching the flames on the crest die down, noticed that a few wounded men still held a small area on top. Acting quickly, he assembled about thirty men and led them back up the hill before approaching North Koreans reached the top. There, two bursts of automatic fire mortally wounded him as he and British Army, Major, A. I. Gordon-Ingram, B Company commander, fired a 2-inch mortar. According to his Victoria Cross citation, Muir's last words as he was carried from the hilltop were "The Gooks will never drive the Argylls off this hill".

Gordon-Ingram counted only ten men with him able to fight, and some of them were wounded. His three Bren guns were nearly out of ammunition. At 15:00 the survivors were down at the foot of the hill.

The next day a count showed 2 officers and 11 men killed, 4 officers and 70 men wounded, and 2 men missing for a total of 89 casualties; of this number, the mistaken air attack caused approximately 60.

Air operations - Korean peninsula

Eight B-29s from the 19th Bombardment Group, showcasing their mastery of the SHORAN bombing technique, successfully destroyed the central span of the Sunchon railway bridge despite challenging conditions with a 9/10th cloud cover.

Naval operations - Korean peninsula

Intelligence reports indicate that 3,500 enemy mines have been laid to date in Korean waters, a serious problem.

Balao-class submarine USS Segundo (SS-398) conducts a special reconnaissance mission along the northeast coast of North Korea in advance of a special operations mission to be conducted by Balao-class submarine USS Perch (ASSP-313) which has been converted to a transport submarine.

[lordroel]

Day 92 of the Korean War, September 24th 1950

YouTube (Breakout from the Perimeter!)



Land operations - Korean peninsula

Eighth Army alters its earlier operational order and directs IX Corps to execute unlimited objective attacks to seize Chonju and Kanggyong. To carry out his part of the order, United States Army, General Kean organize two main task forces with armored support centered about the 24th and 35th Infantry Regiments. The leading elements of these two task forces are known respectively as Task Force Matthews and Task Force Dolvin. Both forces are to start their drives from Chinju. Task Force Matthews, the left-hand column, is to proceed west toward Hadong and there turn northwest to Kurye, Namwon, Sunch'ang, Kumje, Iri, and Kunsan on the Kum River estuary. Taking off at the same time, Task Force Dolvin, the right-hand column, was to drive north out of Chinju toward Hamyang, there turn west to Namwon, and proceed northwest to Chonju, Iri, and Kanggyong on the Kum River.

Naval operations - Korean peninsula

Colossus-class light fleet aircraft carrier HMS Triumph (R16) having worked over targets in southwestern North Korea is relieved by her sister ship HMS Theseus (R64) and departs the area.

[lordroel]

Day 93 of the Korean War, September 25th 1950

Land operations - Korean peninsula (Second Battle of Seoul)

The United States Army, X Corps entered Seoul in the morning, by mid-afternoon, elements of the 7th Infantry Division crossed the Han River and captured Namsan peak. The 1st Marine Division began its assault on the city at 7 a.m. The North Koreans had heavily fortified the city. Buildings were heavily defended by machine guns and snipers, and on Ma Po Boulevard, the main road through the city, the North Koreans had established a series of 8-foot-high barricades of burlap bags, typically filled with sand, dirt, or rice. Located about 200-300 yards apart, each major intersection of the city featured such a barricade, the approaches to which were laced with mines, and which were usually defended by a 45mm anti-tank gun and machine guns. Each had to be eliminated one at a time, and it took the Marines, on average, 45–60 minutes to clear each position.

Air operations - Korean peninsula

The Far East Air Force (FEAF) flies flare missions over Seoul all night to allow USMC night fighters to attack North Korean troops fleeing the city.

Combat Cargo Command lands a battalion of 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team paratroopers at Kimpo to guard US Army X Corps’ northern flank as it moved out from Inchon.

Naval operations - Korean peninsula

Balao-class submarine USS Perch (SS-313), a submarine modified as a submarine transport departs Japan with a 67-man team of the 41st (Independent) Commando Royal Marines. United States Navy, Lieutenant Commander R.D. Quinn is in command of Perch, while Royal Marines, Colonel Douglas Drysdale, is in command of the British commandos.

Tribal-class destroyer HMCS Athabaskan (G07) assaults Piun-to, sending in her two motor cutters with a party of 30 specially trained volunteers under the command of Royal Canadian Navy, Lieutenant Commander T. S. R. Peacock. There is no opposition to the landing; in fact all the men of military age have already fled to a neighboring islet some half a mile away. A group from the landing party pursued them to their hiding place and interrogates their leaders. No signs of arms nor of any military installations are found, so the landing party withdraws.

PC-461 Class Submarine Chaser ROKS Chiri San (PC-704) and ROKS Danyang (JMS 306) sends landing party's to reconnoiter Youjiku-to. The South Koreans landing party is not so fortunate as the Canadians at Piun-to when the boats from PC 704 and YMS 306 went in to assault the island under covering fire from Tribal-class destroyer HMCS Athabaskan (G07) and their own vessels, they are met by machine-gun fire. The ROK’s press home their attack, and the enemy withdraws inland. Satisfied that the island was occupied by Communist troops, and not being prepared to take and hold the island against strong opposition, the South Koreans themselves withdrew. They suffered only three casualties, all lightly wounded. A little child wounded during the landing also was brought back, but she died later aboard Athabaskan and was buried at sea.

Hong Kong

S-class destroyer, HNLMS Evertsen (D802) due to the damage it suffered on August 9th after hitting a reef arrives in Hong Kong where it will enter a dry dock for repairs.

[lordroel]

Day 94 of the Korean War, September 26th 1950

Land operations - Korean peninsula

X Corps' 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, moving east from Inchon, links up with Eighth Army's 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, south of Suwon.

Land operations - Korean peninsula (Second Battle of Seoul)

The Second Battle of Seoul ends after six days of fighting in a United Nations victory as Seoul, the capital of South Korea is recaptured from the North Korean Army a day after the 7th Division Infantry of the U.S. Marines overran North Korean defenses at South Mountain.

YouTube (The final stages of United Nations forces capturing Seoul (1950)



The 17th Regiment of the South Korean Army crossed the Han River into Seoul, while the United States 8th Army was 40 miles away and closing in from the south.

Photo: American M26 Pershing tanks in downtown Seoul during the Second Battle of Seoul. In the foreground, United Nations troops round up North Korean prisoners-of-war, 26 September 1950



Air operations - Korean peninsula

Twenty B-29s of the 22nd Bombardment Group bombed a munitions factory at Haeju, destroying the power plant and five related buildings. Other B-29s belonging to the 92nd Bombardment Group raided the Pujon hydroelectric plant near Hungnam. These attacks marked the end of the first strategic bombing campaign against North Korea. Fifth Air Force organized the provisional 543rd Tactical Support Group at Taegu to manage tactical reconnaissance squadrons in Korea.

Naval operations - Korean peninsula

While shelling the shore off Tanch'ŏn, Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer USS Brush (DD 745) structs a mine, ripping her midships section and breaking her keel. Thirteen men are killed and 31 injured.

Town-class light cruiser HMS Manchester (15) and four destroyers bombarded enemy troop concentrations on Deungsangot (Tungsan-got), a peninsula south of Ongjin, assisted by a strike from Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Boxer (CV-21) air group.

[lordroel]

Day 95 of the Korean War, September 27th 1950

Land operations - Korean peninsula

Elements of the 1st Cavalry Division, Eighth Army, link up with the 7th Division north of Osan, near where US troops had first encountered the North Korean People’s Army almost three months earlier.

Air operations - Korean peninsula

More than 100 Communist troops, each carrying a “safe conduct pass” that B-29s had dropped, surrendered to US forces near Seoul.

Combat Cargo Command finished airlifting 187th Airborne Regimental Command Team paratroopers to Kimpo.

Naval operations - Korean peninsula

Tribal-class destroyer HMAS Bataan (I91) joins Tribal-class destroyer HMCS Athabaskan (G07) in firing at Youjiku-to which had been reinforce with several hundred fresh troops in responds to the ROK landing two days before.

Tribal-class destroyer HMAS Warramunga (I44) supplies food to starving coastal islanders.

Fiji-class light cruiser HMS Ceylon (30) puts a landing party ashore on Taechong Do, in the Sir James Hall group, only to find that s reported enemy garrison has packed up and departed.

Cleveland-class light cruiser USS Manchester (CL-83) and four destroyers bombard positions west of the North Korean port of Haeju, supported by airstrikes from Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Boxer (CV-21), in order to deceive the North Koreans into thinking another landing is imminent.

United States

The Joint Chiefs of Staff send to United States Army, General MacArthur a comprehensive directive to govern his future actions. The directive states that United States Army, General MacArthur to pursue and destroy North Korean forces up to the Chinese and Soviet borders; employment of UN forces in the border areas is to be avoided as a "matter of policy," only South Korean troops are to be allowed by the UN Command in provinces bordering China and the Soviet Union. Air and naval operations on Chinese or Soviet territory are forbidden. Furthermore, as a precondition, no advance beyond the 38th parallel was permitted if a major China or Soviet military intervention had occurred or was likely to. Upon receiving this directive MacArthur urged on the JCS removal of the restriction requiring specific approval from the United States Government before his forces crossed the 38th Parallel. He urged that he be allowed to cross the Parallel and seek out and destroy the remaining parts of the North Korean Army if North Korea did not surrender in accordance with a proclamation he intended to issue.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff direct United States Army, General MacArthur to make a special effort to determine if the Chinese intend entering the war.

Previous intelligence from diplomats in China — including K. M. Panikkar, the ambassador of India to China — suggest that China is preoccupied with internal affairs and gaining UN membership to intervene in the Korean War; it is until toddy that the United States starts receiving intelligence from these sources to the contrary.

Japan

The 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment embark for Pusan aboard the Victory ship USNS Aiken Victory (T-AP-188).

United Nations

India is refusing to refused to cosponsor Resolution 376(V) and an UNC offensive into North Korea on the grounds that it would cause Chinese intervention.

[lordroel]

Day 96 of the Korean War, September 28th 1950

Land operations - Korean peninsula

South Korean troops advanced into North Korea for the first time.

Air operations - Korean peninsula

The first jet fighter squadron to operate from a base in Korea, the 7th Fighter-Bomber Squadron moved from Itazuke to Taegu.

Three RB-45 Tornadoes, the first jet reconnaissance aircraft in the USAF inventory, arrived in the Far East.

Naval operations - Korean peninsula

YMS-1 Class Auxiliary Motor Minesweeper ROKS Gapyeong (YMS 509) hits a mine on the south coast of Korea that severely damages the bow, but does not seriously injure any crewmen; the ship survives to reach the base at Chinhae.

South Korea

The 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) arrives at Pusan and joins the British 27th Brigade which is attached to a United States Infantry Division.

Japan

United States Army, General MacArthur assurance the Joint Chiefs of Staff that there is no present indication of the entry into North Korea by Chinese Communist forces.

[lordroel]

Day 97 of the Korean War, September 29th 1950

Land operations - Korean peninsula

A message, dropped from a light plane by an officer with the Military Advisory Group to the Republic of Korea, was delivered to the U.S. adviser to the ROK 3d Division, United states Army, Lieutenant colonel Rollins S. Emmerich. According to the message, the ROK 3d Division is to cross the 38th Parallel and proceed to Wonsan as soon as possible.

Naval operations - Korean peninsula

Commander Fleet Air Forces Japan (COMFAIRJAP) initiates special daylight airborne mine reconnaissance missions along the coasts of Korea, including extensive use of helicopters.

South Korea

The liberation of Seoul is celebrated with the return of President of South Korea, Syngman Rhee and U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur, appearing together at a noontime ceremony to mark the return of the government to the capital, which had been seized by the People's Army of North Korea in June. General MacArthur declared to the crowd, "By the grace of a merciful Providence, our forces, fighting under the standard of that greatest home and inspiration of mankind, the United Nations, have liberated this ancient city of Seoul."; at the same time, choosing to liberate Seoul rather than cutting off the escape of the North Koreans from Pusan, allowed 30,000 enemy troops to flee back across the border.

In Seoul, United States Army, General MacArthur outlines the plan the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) send him on September 26th to the commanders of Eighth Army, X Corps, Naval Forces Far East (NAVFE) and Far East Air Force (FEAF). While Shooting was still going on in the capital and Eighth Army had not arrived,MacArthur was still driving his people: the D-Day of October 20th which he set for the Wonsan landing was but three weeks away, and left even less time for preparation than had been available for Inchon.

United States

United States Secretary of Defense George C. Marshall in a message to United States Army, General MacArthur. Referring to a reported announcement by Eighth Army (United States) that ROK divisions would halt at the parallel for “regrouping,” the Secretary cautioned MacArthur as follows: We want you to feel unhampered tactically and strategically to proceed north of 38th parallel. Announcement above referred to may precipitate embarrassment in UN where evident desire is not to be confronted with necessity of a vote on passage of 38th parallel, rather to find you have found it militarily necessary to do so.

[lordroel]

Day 98 of the Korean War, September 30th 1950

Land operations - Korean peninsula

Advanced patrols of the 3rd Division (south Korea) crossed the 38th parallel.

Naval operations - Korean peninsula

Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer USS Mansfield (DO 728), while searching for a downed Air Force B‑26 in the vicinity of Changjon, struck a mine which severed the bow below the main deck and seriously injured 27 crewmembers.

41 Independent Commando Royal Marines (United Kingdom) transported onboard the Balao-class transport submarine USS Perch(ASSP-313) try their first tunnel destruction attempt near Dancheon (Tanch’on). However, the engine of their motor launch (the Skimmer) fails, the distance to shore is to far for paddling, radar detects a North Korean patrol boat in the area, and lights began flickering ashore, so the mission is aborted.

Japan

United states Army, General MacArthur replies to the September 29th message send by United States Secretary of Defense George C. Marshall that he has received no confirmation of this alleged announcement and doubts the authenticity of the report, but that he was “cautioning Walker against any involvement connected with the nomenclature of the 38th parallel.” He continued in words that reflected his tendency to interpret his authority in the broadest possible terms: supply of our units is the main problem which limits our immediate advance. In exploiting the defeat of the enemy forces, our own troop may cross the parallel at any time in exploratory robing or exploiting loca Y tactical conditions. My overall strategic plan for North Korea is known to you. Unless and until the enemy capitulates, I regard all of Korea open for our military operations.

China

The Premier of the People's Republic of China and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Zhou Enlai publicly warns: "The Chinese people absolutely will not tolerate foreign aggression, nor will they supinely tolerate seeing their neighbors being savagely invaded by the imperialists."

Japan

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Mansfield (DD-728) drydocked at Sasebo, Japan, after striking a mine near Wonsan, Korea, on 30 September 1950. The ship received a temporary bow before steaming to the Puget Sound Navals Shipyard, Washington (USA), for permanent repairs

[lordroel]

Day 99 of the Korean War, October 1st 1950

YouTube (The Liberation of Seoul)



The total ground force strength within the United Nations Command in Korea, divided among the Eighth Army, X Corps, and service units, amounts as of this day as being more than a third of a million men. Far East Air Forces under United States Air Force, General Stratemeyer, total 36,677, and U.S. Naval Forces, Far East, under United States Navy, Admiral Joy numbered 59,438.

Land operations - Korean peninsula

Two ROK rifle companies cross the border and come under fire from KPA troops in old fixed positions north of the 38th Parallel.

Photo: "Happy ROK soldiers return to Pohang with a truck load of captured enemy mortar equipment," 1 October 1950



Air operations - Korean peninsula

The virtual collapse of the North Korean military causes United states Army, General MacArthur to order the USAF to cease further destruction of rail, highway, bridge, and other communication facilities south of the 38th Parallel, except where they were known to be actively supporting a KPA force. Air installations south of the 40th Parallel are not to be attacked and he halts air action against strategic targets in North Korea.

Naval operations - Korean peninsula

YMS-1 Class Motor Minesweeper USS USS Magpie (AMS-25) struck a floating mine 2 miles (3.2 km) off Chusan Po, and sank while operating off the east coast of Korea with sister ship USS Merganser (AMS-26). Twenty-one of Magpie, including the commanding officer, United states Navy, lieutenant (jg.) Warren R. Person, were never found. YMS-1-class minesweeper USS Merganser (AMS-26) picked up the 12 survivors and transported them to Pusan.

Near Mokpo in southwest South Korea, YMS-1 Class Motor Minesweeper ROKS Gaeseong (YMS 504) hits a mine with her starboard propeller, which caused two other mines nearby to sympathetically detonate. Despite loss of her engines and significant hull leakage, YMS-505 survived with only five casualties.

Onboard the Balao-class transport submarine USS Perch(ASSP-313), 41 Independent Commando Royal Marines (United Kingdom) with the engine of their motor launch (the Skimmer) repaired, go ashore at a secondary target in the Dancheon area and successfully detonated explosives in a culvert and railway tunnel with one casualty.

Photo: The United States Navy transport submarine USS Perch (ASSP-313), configured to carry commandos during the Korean War



North Korea

With the Soviet Union being reluctant to engage the United States directly, General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin instructs Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, Kim Il Sung to request the aid of China. Kim hence attends a reception for the first anniversary of the People Republic of China founding in the basement of the Chinese embassy in Pyongyang and asked liaison officer of the Chinese People's Volunteers and as a Chinese representative to the North Korean government, Chai Chengwen and Chinese Ambassador to North Korea Ni Zhiliang to send the Chinese 13th Army Corps to Korea.

Vice Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee, Vice Premier of the Cabinet and Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Korea, Pak Hon-Yong delivers a letter to Chairman of the People's Republic of China, Mao Zedong requesting the entry of the Chinese People Liberation Army into the War.

Japan

in order to remove any obscurity that might still exist in Washington regarding his plan, United states Army, General MacArthur sends a message that is crystal clear as to his intentions: I plan to issue and make public the following general directive to all elements of the United Nations Command at 1200 hours, Monday, 2 October, unless I receive your instructions to the contrary. "Under the provisions of the United Nations Security Council Resolution of 27 June, the field of our military operations is limited only by military exigencies and the international boundaries of Korea. The so-called 38th Parallel, accordingly, is not a factor in the military employment of our forces. To accomplish the enemy's complete defeat, your troops may cross the border at any time, either in exploratory probing or exploiting local tactical conditions. If the enemy fails to accept the terms of surrender set forth in my message to him of I October, our forces, in due process of campaign will seek out and destroy the enemy's armed forces in whatever part of Korea they may be located."

United states Army, General MacArthur sends a message to the commander in chief of the North Korean forces, demanding that the North Koreans lay down their arms and cease hostilities under UN military supervision so as to avoid further loss of life and destruction of property. The message also calls for the release of UN prisoners of war and civilian internees. North Korea ignores the proposals.

United States Army, General Edward Almond, Commander X Corps (United States) and United States Navy, Admiral Arthur Dewey Struble, Commander Seventh Fleet receive preliminary instructions from GHQ, Far East Command, for the projected landing at Wonsan. Joint Task Force 7 (JTF 7) has been re-established to land the X Corps at Wonsan, and Admiral Struble has been named to command it. He received from United States Navy, Vice Admiral C. Turner Joy, Commander Naval Forces, Far East the mission of JTF 7. This was (1) to maintain a naval blockade of the east coast of Korea south from Ch'ongjin; (2) to load and transport X Corps to the Wonsan area and provide cover and support en route; (3) to conduct pre-D-day naval operations as required; (4) on D-day to seize by amphibious assault, occupy, and defend a beachhead in the Wonsan area; (5) to provide naval gunfire, air, and initial logistic support to X Corps in the Wonsan area.

[lordroel]

Day 100 of the Korean War, October 2nd 1950

Land operations - Korean peninsula

First Australian operational patrols of the Korean War mounted.

Air operations - Korean peninsula

Twenty-two B-29s from the FEAF Bomber Command targeted a North Korean military training facility in Nanam with the aim of crippling NKA reinforcements. The bombing resulted in the destruction of three-quarters of the buildings at the site.

The 8th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron move from Itazuke to Taegu, to become the first USAF day reconnaissance squadron stationed in Korea.

Photo: These are P-51 Mustangs from the US Air Force 8th Fighter Bomber Group at Kimpo Airfield, also known as K14, 2 October of 1950



Naval operations - Korean peninsula

Gearing-class destroyer USS Herbert J. Thomas (DD-833) bombards land targets on the Korean Coast with Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer USS Maddox (DD-731)
backing here up.

Tribal-class destroyers HMAS Bataan (I91) and HMAS Warramunga (I44) provide close support for five American minesweepers which come to clear approaches to Kunsan.

Balao-class transport submarine USS Perch(ASSP-313), 41 Independent Commando Royal Marines (United Kingdom) transfers the Royal Marines onboard United States Navy high-speed transports USS Horace A. Bass (APD-124) and USS Wantuck (APD-125).

Japan

United states Army, General MacArthur promulgated an operations order for his assault against North Korea, leaving the date still to be determined. At the same
time, he describes the situation to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in an optimistic message: Probings by elements of the ROK Army are now well across the 38th parallel, Advances on the extreme right are between 10 and 30 miles in the coast sector with practical no resistance. It is possible if enemy’s weakness is pronounced that immediate exploitation may be put into effect before or in substitution for prepared plan. You will be kept fully informed. The units that had already set foot on North Korean soil were the 3rd and Capital Divisions, constituting the I Corps of the ROK Army, which had advanced via the east coast road. Several days later, the ROK 6th, 7th, and 8th Divisions (II Corps) crossed the border in central Korea, driving toward what was later to become known as the “Iron Triangle”-the region bounded by the three cities of Kumhwa, Ch’orwon, and P’yongyang. But enemy resistance did not collapse; there was no opportunity for “immediate exploitation,” and it became necessary to carry out the “prepared plan.”

United states Army, General MacArthur formalize in his United Nations Operation Order 2 instructions for U.N. military operations north of the 38th Parallel, and sets forth therein the plan of movement and the mission of X Corps (United States). The X Corps was to revert to GHQ Reserve when Eighth Army (United States) passes through it in the Seoul area. The 1st Marine Division (United States) and X Corps headquarters were to load at Inch'on while the 7th Infantry Division (United States) and most of the X Corps (United States) troops move to Pusan for loading. The problem of outloading X Corps (United States) at Inch'on in adverse tidal conditions with the limited amount of amphibious craft available, concurrently with the expected partial use of the port by Eighth Army, is so complicated and difficult that MacArthur decides that part of the force will have to outload at Pusan if the entire corps is to be loaded within two weeks.

Deputy Chief of Staff to Commander Naval Forces Far East, United States Navy, Rear Admiral Arleigh Burke ask the Commandant of the Japan Coast Guard Takeo Okubo to dispatch minesweepers to the Korean Peninsula. Commandant Okubo immediately contacts Prime Minister of Japan, Shigeru Yoshida and Minister for Transport Takeshi Yamazaki and commenced preparations for the dispatch.

[lordroel]

Day 101 of the Korean War, October 3rd 1950

Land operations - Korean peninsula

The 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) suffers its first losses when two personnel are killed when their vehicle runs over a mine.

The 3rd Infantry Division (South Korea) and Capital Division (South Korea) establish their command posts in Yangyang, eight miles north of the 38th parallel. Although United States Army, General MacArthur has made the first official public announcement of forces under U.N. command crossing the 38th Parallel, the American press already have reported the incident on October 2nd. Anticipating that ROK forces are going to cross the Parallel, newspaper correspondents fly to Kangnung, just south of the border on the east coast, to get the news.

Based on General MacArthur's UN Command Operations Order 2, dating October 2nd, Eighth Army today issue an operations order to implement its part in the plan for the attack into North Korea. The army order calls for I Corps (United States) to seize a line west of the Imjin River with not less than a division, and to concentrate the Corps in an assembly area there as rapidly as IX Corps (United States) could relieve it. I Corps (United States) was then to conduct operations northward on army orders, making the main effort with the 1st Cavalry Division (United States) leading the attack. The 24th Infantry Division (United States) and the 1st Infantry Division (South Korea) were to protect the Corps' flanks and form a reserve. In addition to relieving the I Corps (United States) in its zone, IX Corps (United States) was to protect the line of communications, Seoul-Suwon-Taejon-Taegu-Pusan and, together with Korean National Police, destroy the remaining KPA forces in South Korea. The ROK Army was directed to move its II Corps (South Korea), consisting of the 6th Infantry Division (South Korea), 7th Infantry Division (South Korea) and 8th Infantry Division (South Korea), to the area between Ch'unch'on and Uijongbu in central Korea and its I Corps (South Korea), composed of the 3rd Infantry Division (South Korea) and Capital Division (South Korea), to the area between Yongp'o and Chumunjin-up on the east coast, all prepared to attack northward. The ROK Army was also to provide a new division (the 11th) by October 5th to help IX Corps (United States) in the rear areas of South Korea.

Air operations - Korean peninsula

Photo: U.S. Navy Corpsmen Herald B. Williams, James E. Carr and William N. Shipworth help carry a wounded man from a U.S. Marine Corps Sikorsky HO3S-1 evacuation helicopter to a hospital in Korea. The helicopter is from Marine Observation Squadron VMO-6. The original photo is dated 3 October 1950, in which case it was probably taken during U.S. Marine Corps operations in the vicinity of Seoul, Korea. Note the extensive "Quonset" hut facilities in the distance



Naval operations - Korean peninsula

On the south coast ROK naval forces cooperating with Eighth Army conduct a landing at Mokpo, supported by PC-461 Class Submarine Chaser ROKS Samgaksan (PC 703) and some smaller units, securing that important port.

South Korea

X Corps orders 1st Marine Division to assemble at Inchon. The division has a strength of 28,147 men, including attachments of 40 US Army troops and 4,516 Korean Marines.

The 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) joins the British 27th Brigade at Kumch'on which is renamed the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade.

Photo: Lewis Puller presents the first American flag flown over recaptured Seoul to General Clifton Cates during the Commandant's visit to the 1st Marines on 3 October 1950



Advance elements of the Thai Infantry Battalion arrived in Korea.

China

Premier of the People's Republic of China and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Zhou Enlai warns Ambassador of India to China, K. M. Panikkar, at his residence in Beijing and asked him to inform the United States that China will invade Korea if American troops crossed the 38th Parallel into North Korea, but not if the invasion was limited to South Korean troops alone. United States Secretary of State, Dean Acheson received Pannikar's message later in the day, but the United States does not alter its progress toward the Chinese border.

United Nations

While in China, Ambassador of India to China, K. M. Panikkar gets a warning, the UNC intelligence staff report some evidence that twenty Chinese Communist divisions are in North Korea and have been there since September 10th. They also comment on the reported warning from the Chinese Foreign Minister and other recent public statements that "Even though the utterances are a form of propaganda they cannot be fully ignored since they emit from presumably responsible leaders in the Chinese and North Korean Communist Governments. The enemy retains a potential of reinforcement by CCF troops."

[lordroel]

Day 102 of the Korean War, October 4th 1950

Naval operations - Korean peninsula

Task Force 77 reports that planes from its carriers had flown 3,330 sorties during the 13 day period of the Inchon assault.

Commander Naval Forces, Far East (COMNAVFE) announces that more than 65 moored and floating mines have been destroyed during the past month in Korean waters.

Commander Naval Forces, Far East (COMNAVFE) orders air strikes and shore bombardment of Chinnampo and Haeju areas.

Air operations - Korean peninsula

The Far East Air Force (FEAF) gains operational control of all land-based aircraft in Korea, including USMC squadrons at Kimpo. Anticipating the acquisition of enemy air installations, FEAF stopps most attacks on airfields south of the 40th parallel.

The South African air force No. 2 Squadron, the Union of South Africa’s contribution to UN airpower, arrives in the theater and is attached to FEAF.

South Korea

The embarkation for the upcoming Wosan landings begins at two Korean ports. At Inchon, United states marines Marines embark in assault shipping, APA and AKA types, LSTs and LSDs, filled out with six time-charter vessels. Although United States Navy, Admiral James H. Doyle, Commander Amphibious Group Onr, and Commander Task Force Ninety is still at work in Tokyo, he has sent his flagship, Mount McKinley class of amphibious force command ship USS Mount McKinley (AGC-7) back to Inchon to embark the headquarters staff of the Marine Division.

United States Army, General Edward Almond, Commander X Corps (United States) issue a corps order for the projected operations at Wonsan. The 1st Marine Division will have the mission of seizing a corps base of operations while the 7th Infantry Division is to start an attack west to join with Eighth Army (United States) in front of P'yongyang.

China

Chairman of the Northwest China Military and Administrative Commission and Commander-in-Chief and Political Commissar of Xinjiang, Peng Dehuai is in Xi'an when an airplane arrived and he was told to get on board to report for a meeting in Beijing with China's Communist Party Central Committee. Within four hours, he was present at the Zhongnanhai palace, and informed that Chairman of the Communist Party of China, Mao Zedong had selected him to command China's invasion of Korea.

Ambassador of India to China, K. M. Panikkar communicates Zhou Enlai message he received a day before to the United States through the British Minister at Beijing.

Japan

The US Occupation authorities reissued the previously quoted General Order No. 1 and section 13 of SCAPIN Order No. 2 that provides legal cover for the deployment of Japanese minesweepers outside Japanese territorial waters.

General Order No. 1 and section 13 of SCAPIN Order No. 2: 13. The Japanese Imperial General Headquarters will insure that all minesweeping vessels immediately carry out prescribed measures of disarmament, fuel as necessary, and remain available for minesweeping service. Submarine mines in Japanese and Korean waters will be swept as directed by designated Naval Representatives of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.

Coinciding with the issuance of SCAPIN Order No. 2, United States Navy, Vice Admiral Turner Joy, Commander, Naval Forces Far East, orders the immediate mobilization of MSA minesweepers for unspecified duties: The Japanese Government is hereby directed to assemble twenty (20) Japanese Minesweepers [Sic], one guinea pig, and four other Japanese Maritime Safety vessel [Sic] in Moji as soon as practicable. These vessels will be prepared for such minesweeping operations as will be designated in future directives.

United States

The Joint Chiefs of Staff at the suggestion of Chief of Staff of the United States Army, United States Army, General J. Lawton Collins, direct the Joint Strategic Plans Committee to prepare a plan for redeploying US forces from Korea, together with recommendations concerning the future size of the ROK Army.

Gleaves-class destroyers, USS Thompson (DD-627) and sister ship USS Carmick (DD-493) depart San Diego for Pearl Harbor.

[lordroel]

Day 103 of the Korean War, October 5th 1950

North Korea

In Wosan a city located at the westernmost point of the Sea of Japan, Soviet Navy officers had run a mine school for the North Koreans, assembling magnetic bottom influence mines (sensitive enough to be triggered by a wooden minesweeper hull), planning the minefields, and supervising the seeding of the minefields. The North Koreans used sampans to tow barges and rolled mines off the stern in a fairly precise manner. Of about 4,000 mines provided by the Soviets, over 3,000 were employed at Wonsan and hundreds at a variety of other locations, including some planted in waters in South Korea. When the North Koreans pulled out of Wonsan, they executed the civilian crews of the sampans who knew where the minefields were laid.

South Korea

GHQ intelligence officers observe that recent reports are taking on a "sinister connotation" and conclude that the potential "exists for Chinese Communist forces to openly intervene in the Korean War if United Nations forces cross the 38th Parallel.

The 7th Infantry Division, which had already assembled in the Incheon-Suwon area, begins moving by rail and road to Busan in preparation for embarkation as part for the upcoming Wosan landing. Its tanks and heavy equipment are loaded aboard Shipping Control Administration, Japan (SCAJAP) landing ships, tank (LSTs) at Incheon and transported to Busan, where the rest of the division is to be loaded aboard transports and cargo ships.

Eighth Army (United States) issue its operations order for the movement across the 38th Parallel, but withholds the date for the attack.

Japan

G-2 at GHQ of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP), United States Army, General Willoughby informs Washington officials that the Soviet Union "would find it both convenient and economical to stay out of the conflict and let the idle millions of Communist China perform the task as part of the master plan to drain United States resources into geographical rat holes of the Orient."

As ordered by United States Navy, Vice Admiral Turner Joy, Commander, Naval Forces Far East a day before, all twenty Maritime Safety Agency (MSA) vessels reach their assembly point and anchor off the town of Karato near the port of Shimonoseki.

United States

Arthur Tedder, 1st Baron Tedder, Chairman of the British Joint Services Mission in Washington informs United states Army, General Bradley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of certain conclusions reached by the British Chiefs of Staff after consultation with the Foreign Office. The principal objective, in the British view, should be to localize the war in Korea and avoid a protracted involvement. To send UN forces into North Korea at that moment is unnecessary and might extend and aggravate the conflict. The British Chiefs of Staff recommend that UN forces (other than those of the Republic of Korea) halt at the 38th parallel for a specified period of a week or two, and issue a warning that they would invade North Korea unless that country’s forces surrenders.“” General Bradley passed these recommendations to the other JCS members, while informing Lord Tedder that “this is just about what we are doing.“