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Korean War

23rd Infantry Regiment - Historical Report - September 1950

2nd Infantry Division

Korean War Project Record: USA-43

Folder: 070013

Box: 07

File: 13

National Archives and Records Administration

College Park, Maryland

Records: United States Army

Unit Name: Second Infantry Division

Record Group: RG407

Editor: Hal Barker

Korean War Project

P.O. Box 180190

Dallas, TX 75218-0190

http://www.koreanwar.org

Korean War Project 2ID-00300046


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COHNAND AIJD UNIT HI:3TORICAL REPORT

IIEADQUiiRTi~RS, 23D INFA''TTRY REGHmNT 2d Infantry Division

APO 248, c/o Postmaster 3an Francisco, Califor11ia

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(CSHIS - 5)

FRON: 1 3eptsmber 1950 TO: 30 September 1950

I1PPROVED BY:

Lieute1

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-- CONTENTS --

Classification Announcement

Distribution

Table of Contents

Annex 2 - List of Supporting Documents

Narrative Swmnary

Annex 1

Annex 3 - Operations

Annex 4 - Logistics

Annex 5 - Intelligence

Annex 6 - Tactical Air Support

Annex 7 - List of Awards

Foreward to War Diar,r

War Diary - Record of Daily Entries

Annex 2 -- Supporting Documents

(Note: Annex "2" is attached onlY to Copies 1 and 2, and to the coP,y ratained at Headquarters Eighth U. S. Army.)

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1

2

3

4

5-14.

15-16

17-20

21-22

23-24

25-28

29

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LIST OF INCLOSURES *

ANNEX 2 - Supporting Documents

SECTION DESCRIPTION REFERENCE NO.

"A" Unit Journal, Hq 23d Inf Regt, cow of daU:r entries (S-1, S-2, and S-3 combined) A

1 September to 8 September A-1



"B" Periodic Operations Reports B , .

"C" Operations Orders c

* Included only with copies 1, 2, ~nd copy to be retained by Hq, EUSAK.

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N:A?JUl.TIVE 3U1:1HliRY OF COliNA:LID A~TJ UITIT HISTORICAL REPORT

P.CRIOD 1 ~3EPTEliDER _; 30 SEPI'T!;l:BI~R 1950

(CSHIS - 5)

On 31 ihtgust 1950, the 1st BattaJion, 23d Inf~mtry, Hns occupying a 16,000 yard front alonE; the Haktong River, '.-lith all rifle companies bn line. The .2d Battdio11, minus I~esy Compmzy, Has in Div:is ion Reserve. Easy Company lvas detached from tho reg:iL:.ent and H~:s in reserve in the 9th Infnntr.:r sector. (The 3d Battalion uas also detached from the ·reE;;iment, and rel:;ained detached until 1800 hours, 15 .September 1950.)

.At ar;proximately 221;.0 hom·s the encr:1y made a sudde!1 attack against the 1st BfJttalion positions. Th8 atteck, Hl1ich ues heavily supr~orted by artille!'"IJ and other heovy-: Heopons, came in such force that by 2!1-00 hours all elements of the bettalion Here under heqv-;)r attnck. Ap];)roximately four battalions crossed the river in the so;cor Cor-;pa:'ly sector, and strDdnC' deep into the battalion zone, threatened the butt~1lion coli1DC1i1d post. il portion oi' this force had S\-Tung to the north and brought the left flank of Able Co :pany u:rrler hea-V'J attack.

Conc>,1rrer.d~ Hit.h the c:!ttac!<: ageiust Baker Compsny, a similar attack Has · made agai:1st Ch::'rlie Compcny, Jhich ~ws holc1i21[; the left portion of the battalion sector. The plntoons of Ch3rlie Conpan~r fought' rrallo.ntly, but as the att' ck continued to come from the front, flanks, :md rear, they 1Jegan to suffer henv:r casualties, and it iJGcar:te apporBnt thc.t their position \-las untenable.

The loft 1)ow.1clory of the rec:i.mentol sector (Chnrlie Company's left flank) \Jcs the 'li~;al roe1d ler1di~1c; from the ITakton[; River through Fqnch 1 o, into Changnyonc. In order to preYO'lt eler.1Gnts of the force which Has attacking Charlie Co:n::_.Jai\f f1·om p~:wqinc; do'.m this road a'.1cl seizing Chan::;nyong, the Regiment.s1 Cor'TI:1ander ·' Colone1 Pmu L Freeman, Jr., ordered Fox Company to move U) tho road and seize tile co1mnnn('inc; ::;ron:xl. astride thts road. Fox ComiJany wns reinforcec'! for i;his miss :ion b:.· elerwmts of Uoue Conp.::'ny, ;::md the entire force ~los pl:cecl under the co~li·lem1 of I·TDjor Lloyd I~. Jenson, Executive Officer of the 2cl. rlettolion. ..f>t tlr sc:,~c tine Colonel Freeman ordered that Georee Cor.'lrany be · ott2checl to. tll8 lc;t J.sttcJ.ion.

Geo:r.s·e Co'.l:f'ian;y- '.los ordered to forEl a blockinE' l'osition Hhich uould perrait the -.rithdrmu:;l o:::' the :C'ol'qord elenents of th:.c 1st 0attalion to posi-tions on high erouncl knor..m C::S the 11 sr,.,ritch11 position, because it Has near the forv1ard sHitchbonrrl of the Datta lion.

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Pend:Lngthe arrival of George Company in the 1st DattCJlion sector, the fourth platoon of Baker Company, under the Command of First Lieutenant Jack D. Sanders, Has ordered to set U~l a delayin~~ position just forv1ard of the position selected for George Comlxmy, nnd to hold until George Company W?S in position.

Lieutenant S[lnders' platoon, Hhich iU'.S reinforced. 111ith a' section of 75mm r~coilless rifles from Dog Colilpany, m1 H-19 AAA. vehi9le, and a platoon of tanks 9ommanded b;:r l·iastor Sergeant (no1tl Captain) ,George E. \Ton tom, Tank ,ComP,any, fought a gallant action t:[;ainst overHhe]}:ling odds.

As his force fought its Hay to the rear, Lieutenant Sar1ders fired a 11Fouggasse11 , uhich hed been prepared in the rice paddy near theNaktong. From the lieht of the nFouggasse11 , vThich consisted of barrels of gasoline, white : phosphorous nortar shdls, TilT, and primer cord, Lieutenant Sanders .was able · to adjust mortar fire upon the attficking enemy Hith devastating affect.

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The enerrr.r attack azainst .Able Company inflicted heavy casualties (twenty ~~ounded in addition to several killed) upon the third (left flank) platoon, i.Jhich uas Hithstanding the brunt of the attack. .At 0300 hours'· l S~ptember, the platoon \·las or<;Jered to 1..rithdrau to the compaey right flank. At .0130 hours, the Battalion Comm.ander, Lieutenant Colonel Claire E. Hutchin,. ordered :that Able Company uithdraH to the 11 m~itch11 position, and by 1.330 hours the 1st Battalion (minus Charlie Compaey) Has in the position. Colonel Hutchin thenorderE,3d a further i-lithdraHal to the area around the battalion command post. (See Annex 1: GO 196, Hq EUSAii:, 14 Dec 50 -- Colonel Hutchin 11as aHarded a Distinguished Service Cross in recognitio;~, of the extraordinor.r heroism he di:splayed during this action.) . '

Charlie Company, uhich had been completely cut off from the Battalion since the beginning of the attack, 1-ras entirely overrun by approximately 0300 hours.. Some members of the company made their \·lay along the Changnyong Road, back to the positions estr:1blj.shed dv.ring the night by Fox Conpany, but the Company Commander, Captain CyrH 3. Bortholdi (NIA 31 Aueust 1950) and maey of his nen Here never found.

_Qt 1400 hom·s, 1 September, the Dattalion Conunander sent· a task force con-sisting of the first plotoon of J~ble Co,:paey, and a sectd.on of tanks commanded

{ by Sergeant First Class Darman Stone of Tonk Company, to the battalion rear to

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determine Hh?ther or not tho road le:JC1il1:3 to the reg:llnentol command post uas

1 open. T~1is force \·Tas unable to penetrate a laree mount<:d.n pass Hhich proved to' J be held by at least, G bat 1

.• c:liol1 of the e!18.t'TIY. i i

~ Hhen the ·corrnaanding Officer of the 1st 38ttalion learned that the .pass uas occupied, he decided that· it lJOuld be Hise for the battalion to attempt to hold the high grotmcl in the vicLlity of the battalion command post. Dy this action it uould be possible to delay the movement of other large enemy forces Hhich 1..rere

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attempting to move toHard Chc:ngnyong. Therefore he requested permission from the Regimental Commcnder to hold his position. Permission 'i·!as granted, and this action alloHed ti,.rrc for the orga:1izotion of a successful defense of the Changnyong sector •

.At 0700 hours, 1 September, the reg:inental command post, ·1.;hich -vras defended by elements of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, caine under attack by approximately four hU<'ldred of the enemy. After a three hour fight, dUring 1-rhich the enerlrJ suffered heav-.r casualties, the command post 1-1as moved to the vicinity of the 2d 0attalion Command Post, several hundred yards to the ~ear. ·

At 1230 hours, 1 September 1950, Task Force Haynes, consisti...ng pf the 23d· Infantry (minus the 3d Bnttslion), the 38th Infantry, and elements of the Divi- .· sion Artillery, •:las formed to consolidate and hold positions protecting Changnyong and the Hain Supply Route running from Yongsan to Chongdo. Charlie Company, 72d Tank Battalio::J, -vras attached to the 23d Infi:mtry at this time.

At 1300 hom·s, 1 September, the 3d Battalion of the 38th Infantry was · · attached to the 23d Infantry, and •,ms ordered to attempt to establish cpntact · Hith the 1st Battalion of the 23d Infantr-.r •

.At 1825 hours, the Commanding Officer of the 23d I1rl'antry I·Tas nojiif:ied bY.: GE?neral Haynes, commanding Task Force Haynes, that Generals MacArthur and Wal,k6,r had ordered "that ue shall not surrender another inch and 1-te shall hold regard-less of cost. 11

. ',:\;·~<. During 2 September 1950, the 1st and 2d Battalions Here re,supplied by air,

dro2. Contact -vws reestablished Hith the 1st Battalion by a. patrol during: the

f afte!:'noon. 11t 1900 hours, the. 3d Battalion of the JSth Infantr,y reached the '

! 1st BattG.lion positions' mid the tuo batt~alions 1vere consolidated int'o a sing=\.'e. peri.~eter under the command of Colonel Hutchin. '

Throughout 2 September 1950, the 2d Bat tal ion rema in'ed firmly .en'gaged., Fox Company 1:18S subjected to a tHO hour attack, Hhich 110S repulsed tvith h~avy casuQlties being inflicted upon the enemy. Several air strikes in front of•. the, 2d. , Battalion positions v1ere of greet assistance in permitting the .. 2Q. ~attaliori to, hold its position. Du.ring the day the regimental command post came ]J1lder heavy artillery 011d mortar fire. ·,-'-c

On 3 September 1950, the 2d Battalion executed several successful limited objective nttacks in order to imt)rove Hs position. Two very, strong ·enemy attacks, •.Ji th the main effort against Fox Company, Here beaten off. George Company, Hhich hod e;one to the assistance of the 1st Battalion on 31 August, re:- .· joined the Battalion at 1030 hours, And um1t into position on the right of Easy C01;1pany.

Also on 3 Septeinber, the 1st Battalion 1.-1as extricated from its position and

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moved to a position on the left of the 2.d Battalion. Enemy mort2r, artillery, and self-propelled gun fires continued to fall on the regiment's position throughout the day. By 1800 hours, 3 Septe:ber 1950, the regimental command post was moved to a position near the 2.d Battalion Command Post and a complete defensive nerimeter 1-ll?.s established utilizing all available ,personnel. ...

4 September 1950, uas spent in reorganizing and .consolidating the regimen-tal position • .Active'patrols to tho front, flanks, and rear, cle~red out.ene:my

1·. pockets. Charlie Compaey uas reorganized, t.Jith about tHenty men commanded by

First Lieutenant Russel C. Anderson. At 2316 hours the regimental position was · subjected to heavy attack. The major enemy effort Has directed against Fox and Able Companies, and continued until 1115 hours, 5 September. A limited obje:-tive attack bJ Baker Com)any and a lateral movement. by·Ab~e·Company gre~tly l.mproved the regimental position. The attacking·enemy unit, later ide:tltified as elements of the 15th and 17th ?Torth Korean Regiments, suffered extremely heavy casualties.

The remainder of 5 September Has spent in reorganization of the regimental position and resupply of front line units. Fifty members of the Service Company 1-1ere committed in the regimental perimeter du.ring the period. At 1915 hours, King Company of the 38th Infantry vms attached to the 23d Infantry as a reserve company. The remainder of the day Has comparatively quiet •

.At 0400 hours, 6 September 1950, approximately one battalion pf the 6th Regiment, '2d Division, NKP.A., attempted to penetrate the regimental position·. betit1een Able and Fox Co1npanies. The attack 1:Jes repulsed after fifty of the enemy were killed and an undetermined number of the enenr<J were .. i<~Ounded.

At 1100 hm.1rs, 6 September 1950, the 1st arid 2d Battalions executed. a limited objective attack >,Jithin the Regimental Sector.' By 1355 hours all units had reached their objectives ~:md t.he regiment held the commanding terrain overlooking the broad valley extendirig tm1ard the N'aktong River. The remainder of the day ·Has quiet, although enemy patrols continued to probe for 1veak spots in the regimental line. li. second limited objective attack by George Company at 1600 ho~s ·Has driven back by a strong enemy co1.mterattack~ '

Dtlring 7 September the enemy did not attack in force. The regiment received 374 ROY.: .Army replacements. George Com~icmy made a limit~d objective attack at ·1440 h:Jm•s, in order to seize the objective from vhich the company had been .forced to vrithdravl by the enemy co'.'lnter-attack of 6 Septemb(::r. The attack, which· uas supported by tanks ano. covered by a diversionary effort of three tanks and tHo li-19 AilA vehicles, succeeded, and George Com~oey 1vas on position by 1521 hours •

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During the 2fterr1oon of 7 September a heavy enemy build-up in front of the 23d positions \·las detected. Arti1lery concentrotions were placed upon all knovm and suspected enemy assembly areas.

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.At 0230 hours, 8 Sel)teir'IJer 1950, the enern.y hurled a furious sssault at the reginental :position. By 0330 hours, the attack, '>'l~.tich ~vas heavily· supported by self-propelled r;u.n and EJrti11ery fire, had succeeded in ·creating r: ~~ide gap in the Fox Co;::lxmy position, throuch -uhich the e:1emy uas- infiltratin_:;. It uas innnediately evident that, unless this positio~: 1·1as restored, the ontire. regimental front wov~d colh!pse. In order to plug the hole in the Fox Com)any line, a platoon uas s"1ifted from the Able Comp0.ny position to the center of Fox Company. This :movement Has ~1ccomplishod under extremely heavy ·fire, and in total darkness. 1lith the coming of daylie;ht the enemy atktck abated. 'l'he remainder of the day H'e.s spe:,-t i 1 reorgB.nizing the regimental position a!ld the cong.uct of )atrol activity. The enm;;y did not a cain attock during the day.

I At 0335 ho1..n·s, 9 September 1950, the er~emy resruned his savat;o attack along

the regimental front. Enemy assaults came so frequently that .it \.Jas iiil.possib+e to maintnin an accurate record of the efforts ag[1bst individual COI!lpanies. Jnnzai attacks Here directed at Charlie Com:Jany, :3aker Corn.pany1 George Company, and Fox Conpany. CasiJ.altics pou.red back from the front in a sterdy stream, and by 1100 hom·s, front line unL.s tr're in ·urgent need of replacemc, ts. It became necessary to thL1 the Regimental Perimeter at various points, in order to. reinforce those ~Joints under the heaviest attacL. Fox Company vlas rc:.inforced by.15 men from the 75mm sections .of HoHe Campany. All -available men o±' "!ihe special units, particularly Headquarters and Headquarters Gompany,.Here com..rnitted. Clerks, drivers and ~pecialists t>Jere formed into squads and rushed to weakening points on the regimental front, until the regimental reserve d1vindled to; 6 men;

I The fierce attack by the e:·1emy foot troops Has heavily su)ported ;)y all types~ J of heavy Heapons. By 1237 hours the enemy nttack abnted and the t•emainder of

.,1 the day Has COi".p3ratively quiet.

Successful air strike;3 Here conducted during the afternoon of 9 September. By 1800 hours 800 casual ties had been inflicted upon the enemy by ground and:'. · air action in the 23d Infantl"J sector, but the situation remained highly critical. Combat efficiency had been reduced to 38::-&, and there Has no, reserve. ·Fortunately, the severe punishment inflicted U)on the enemy during 9 Se~Jtember left him umrilline; or tmsble -~~o resmne the ettack, ::md the 2.3d ~xperienced the first quiet night it had hac1 in the Changnyong sector.

During 10 .Septenber vigorous patrol actions were carried on to the regimen,tal front. ..Several air strikes \-/ere conducted >-rith great success. The results of patrols sent out to check guerrilla activities Here evaluated, and harassing fires to reduce these activities uere planned. At ?258 hours the RegL11ental position uas subjected to a heavy enemy artillery and mortar barrage~ blit casual-· ties uere very light.

The enemy·agnin attempted.to penetrate the 23d Infantry positions on 11 3eptember. .At 0600 ho~.Ts, a 11 Banzai11 attsck t:gainst Fox and George Companies 'vias launched, and ~.Jas completely repulsed by 061-:-5 hours. In driving back the_

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attackers, mortar fire Has :phced '.li thin 10 feet of friendly positions. During· the cl.ny ;m aerial observer reported thc.t there uero at least 1, 500 enemy deod streun si)out in front of the 23c1 Ic1fc:,11try positions. .A light enemy attack against :8CJsy Con:rany ct 2305 hours Hes rern..ll,sed by 2310' hours •

At 0105 hom·s, 12 Septenber, the enemy set up ~J public address system in front of Fox Com~iony. The announcer spoke to the non of the 2d Battalion in English and pl.:zyed nusicul recordinzs. The 2c1 Battalion respo·,1ded Hith a barrage from HmJe Conynny ~~,ortCJrs. During the day a ;1tunber of success:C'ul air strikes uere cn:1d1.wted. .:.1 limi to(l obJective <1t tsck by Geor:.:;e Company uas successful '.lith fifteen enemy idlled d•-~ring the oction. Patrol activity ·t.o the left flank of the reginentel position located a grou=) of eno'-0~ be1.1i11Cl. the regimental lines, • :o.nd inflicted hen~r cosnaltios upon it. The First Sergeant of Charlie Company, Ssreea.'1t IIr:rold L. Graha>l, rr:t'Jrned to t,0e regimental position after being be-hind the e·:Jor.<;;- lines for taelve days. ). priso~1er captured d:u:dng the r.'l.ay stated that the e:1er.1y r2orale Has ve1:r lou ;:mc1 that :many of the e'1emy -!ere deserting. There 1-JDs little 8Ction o;1 13 September. C1v:trlie Com})any swept ·the ridee line to the left rear o? tha ree;:;.menta1 :position, [C,cl killed and cc.pt·ured approxim<1Juely thirty of the enm::r. Fom1 air strikes Here conducted during the day.

On 14 ,September aggressi7e patrols cove1·ed the, entire reg:ilnental front 1Jith a tot?.l of si:;: patrols ~:;oing out c1tu·ine; the day. One pe.trol from George Conpany hit he::rv-y resistance ab61..1.t 800 :n:rds ~Jest of the Village of Ponch'o. The enemy nac\e another effort to ue1~1oralize the 23d Infantr-jTilen by the use of a public address systen ;d:, 233~; hortrs. ;\rtiD.c17 and mortar fire concentrations put an end to this effort. During the day Charlie Cm.:yany uas ordered to occury a hill to the left fron:t of the regili1entl11 '}Josition (Hill 125).

lit 0600 hom·s, 15 3eptenb:er, the enemy att~Jc2ced the Charlie Company position. The attock vias re::n..rlsed, but friendly c2sunlties i·lere se:vere. At 1305 hours, Task Force Haynes, Hhich hacl: co:1ducted the clefense of the Chnngnyong sector, Has c3.issol-ved. At 1/)-0 hours, on attnck orc1er Has issued 1-1hich directed that the regilnent attac~c tmmrd the Haktong River. The order provided that the main effort HOJ..ud be mede by the 3d Jattalion, ~Jhich returned to regimental· control at 1520 hom·s, after more than tHo >leeks of nction uith other elements of the Eizhth Army.

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Durins the entire period 1-15 September the regimental rear 11as harassed 3llerril1a ectivities to the reor. It Hcs necessary to send out daily patrols open the llai11 Suppl;;-. Route and clear the vi1Ja:::;e of Chnngnyong of enemy.

On 16 Septem: er, ct 0207 hours, the e'1ercy made an attacl·: against the positions held by Chcr1:te Co~,,-C)1:il1Y. The attack, uhich uas heavily sup:·orted by enemy artiller--.;r, ;:1nrtc,r 1:nd self-pro:~)elled g-:.m fil'e, succeeded by 0425 hor1rs, in pepe-+-,"'-i·.-inrc' ·'-·'1"' "},,-,rll"P. ro···,-,,_-,17 ro«-';+-';ons :.r~"-er ~)-it+er 11"11rl to h~nd f;0'1)t:nq the v.Lv. ~..!....LJ.v Ll·. ·~ v ...... L. __ J .. ..:.. .... ~:-'\.,. . ... J .-..J...L..V..L. _ • .;. ... U , ...._ Jv • .i u.. ..... .l ct ..1.. 0 ... ~ 0

o::;t.Dck 'IDS re:·n·~sed, but not l1iYtil Ch·rlie C:omp~:my hDd suffered YS.r-'.f hea~.r

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casualties. Th~ platocn leoder of the heavy VJespons platoon, atteched from Dog Co;:~pany, :md all but one of Chc1rl:i.e Company's officers, Here killed during the engage~1·3nt .

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.At 0600 hours the .2d B8ttclion nacl.e a limited objective attack to secure the line of dep8rturo for th8 att8ck to be lau.t"1.ched b-J the. 3d Battalion •

. lit 0715 hm11.'s the 3d Battalion, supported by Charlie Company of the 72d · TaDk Battalion, p~JSsed throu::)1 the })Ositions established by the 2d Battalion, and suept town·d the "·Takton::; ?.iver. Concurrently the 1st Ba'ttalion attacked [Jnd seized a high ridse on the left portion- of the P'-Ggimental zone of action.

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The 3d Battalion met stubborn resistance, but advanced so rapidly that"by

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0933 hc•urs the Ret;:L"'nental Comrnander relJorted thet the 23d Infantr"J 1 s left flank uas enda~gered by enemy remaining in the 9th Infantr-y· zone. (The 9th Infantry had encountered a very heaVtJ conce'1tration of enemy on a proniinf.mt 'terrain

. { featUre 1moun as Hill 201.) ·

f By 1600 hours the enemy resistance in the 23d Infantry zone of; action 'had

cru..'llp1sd. At this tine, in order to further e:&"J?loit the success of the, attack, I King Compnny Hss loaded on tonks and rushed. to the vicinity of the village of r Hasmran ( a village in the Regimental zone on the ilfaktong) in orc:1er 'td' cut off t the ei1enrr line of retreat. ·· · • ·

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During the e.:::rly hours of the att:::c:< of 16 Ser,>tember, only~limited use ..

.. could be mad~ of' ail· su~•:)()rt, but ch.u·ing the c:.f'ternoon the skies c;Lebred,,'and

aumorous air sorties assisted in the annihilation of.the enerr.y. ,,, \. ; h

I By 1700 hours, 16 September, the 23d Infantry had ·seized its final objec.tive, and pending an order for further advance, the 3d Battalion had secured

! defensive positions on the East bank of the Naktong River. It ~ras estimated that the enenw suffered at least 1200 casualties during the day.

17 September HaS sp~mt in mopping u:p the 'Regimental zone and the evacua~' tion of captt~ed enemy materiel.

On 18 September a task force consisting of Fox Company,. supported by tanks and il.AA vehicles, uas ordered to clear a!l enemy pocket near the Naktong. .This tasL: force caught :::pproximately 200 of the enemy and killed and '1-lOU.uded 170~of tl1ert1.

At l600 hours the 2d :Gattalion HaG ordered to move into position for an attack on Hill 174, _b the 9th I~1fa:.1try zone, the captm·e of which Hould greatly facilitate t~e capture of Hill 201 by the 9th Infantry.

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.At 0800 honrs tho :20. :'3cttali'>' Lvnchcc1 it.3 otteck ozninst lUll 174, ~·Jhich they ceptureci efter c''?l7 hcoVJ fiehtinc;. Cry1cu.rrent:Ly, the 9th Infcntr-j captured IUJl 201, onri_ the ')t.:1 Ini\.:\try zone, exte-,ldhl£; to -th0 7bktong River, '.las cleared of enenv.

il'l:. 133) hYJ.:?:'D, 19 :3epter,;1Y:r, the Re[;:i.mont \vo.s olc::rted for a planned crossinc of the :Jckton::; River. Ti1e romaind~Jr of tho day Ho.s. spent in 9reporing for tho cro3sin:.:;.

Lt 0200, 2r) ::;o_;_'tonber, :,;y 37t11 FioJd i~rti:U.o17 Dottdion HG"' to cease its harassing firos '!~1.icb 'rere 7loinG l1lccec1 on S1JSlJectec1 enemy positions on the :rest bonk of the :raktonc, onc1 at 0330 hovrs the 3d Jottc.1:· ion slipped across the River in 3ssat1lt botJts.

Th"3 crossinc:; achieved such col!l~llete surprise thct Love Com~x:my fonnd a ~:orth Korerm I.ieutemmt Co1onel anrJ his st2ff asleS3p on the com:pcny oujsctive. Jy the end o:L the day both thr:: lst [liJcl 2d Dattolio'l.S hDo crossed the River and the Division Cor:'lnander directec1 thDt one battaJion odvance to the vici::1ity of Sinban-ni. POH inforr,wtion had revealec1 thot elements of the 2d, 4th and 9th

':i .. -:-.,.-~~~~--U~fiiii.i: the general -vicinity of Sinbat1.-ni.

1

love Company. a counter-attack by the su,·)~;ort ph:toon .·

.. ce~d.:·4l1! il:'jlcapturing ~y· 1220 'ho\:h~s bll &;round '.rllich haa been lost, t:ilne the Reg:!J11cntal Cmm1ander ordered the Jd Bottc::J.ion t,o continue the attack and to· tt rout the enemy ,n

3y the e'1d of the day the lst <:1nd Jd T:;attalions hod taken their objectives, and the 23d Infa~:cr;;t h::;cl consolid<>ted its bridgehead on the -v1est bai1k of the ~ra1(to110.

lit OL,.55, 22 :3epteln<Jer, Baker Cm:~J.J<my uos attacl\:ed ~)y a heavy enemy force and "'t 0625 hom·s its position Has overrun. Co;-JctiTrent1y Charlie Cm:;pany came under he::'vy attack. .An irnmedie> to cmmter- attack Has initiated, and Item Company and Fox Conpany uere attnched to the lst Battalion to assist in reducing a stron::;1y held enemy position in front of th0 1st Battalion. Information obtained through PO~J interrogation revealed that this :position Has held by the lJth Tiegj..m<e::nt, 6th W:\PA Division.

Enemy resistrnce '.los stubborn, o.nd by the end of the c1ay the enemy continned to hold tuo lcr::;e hills (:-Iills 272 and 286) overlooking the road through the Reg:Une::-rtal sec·tol'. At this time the Regirnental Corrrmander ordered that the lst Dattclion tie-in a stronc; perimeter for tho ~lic;ht. The 2d Battalion Has ordered to cross the River a<1d cssict in ::.he cap17,re of the lst Battalion objective.

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4\t 0800 hom~s the 2d Bcttalion lmmchecl. its attack against Hill 174, lvhich / they captured after very heavy fighting •. Concurrently, the 9th Infantry captured / HiJ.l 201, and the 9t~1 Infm-J.try zone, exte:c1eUng to the Naktong River, 1-.ras cleared 1 of enemy.

At 1335 ho1.1.rs, 19 September, the Regiment 1...rns alerJGed for a planned cross-

(

inr.; of the Naktont; RiYer. The remainder of tho day Has. spent in preparing for the crossing.

J\t 0200, 20 September, thn 37th Field Arti11ery Battalion Has to cease its harassing fires uh:ich :-1ere being pieced on sv.spected enemy positions on the 1Jest bank of the Xaktong, and at 0330 hours the 3d 3ntta1ion slipped across the River· in assault boats.

The crossing achieved such com~Jlete surprise that Love Company fol.Jnd a _Horth Korean Lieutenant Colonel and his staff asle?P on the company oojective. By -the end of the day both the 1st and 2d Battalions had crossed the River and the Division Commander directed that one battalion advance to the vicinity of Sinban-ni. POH' information had revealed that elements of the 2d, 4th and 9th

of .Sinban~ni •.

: · At 0855 ·houxs, ·

f

Love Company. Love Company H'as a count~r-attack by the sup:)?::t plat?or.: . ,

.. w• I· .. .,e~d-·~n· NJcaptur:ing · ~y· T220 hot.rs all grouna H

' t:iJne the Regimental Commander ordered the 3d Battalion and to- 11 rout. the enemy. n

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By the end of the day the 1st and 3d Battalions had tnken their objectives, and the 23d Infa~;try had consolidated its bridgehead on the VJest pank of the Nakton£_; •

.t~t 0455, 22 September, Baker Corqxmy Has attacked by a heavy enemy force

r and at 0625 hcn.IT's its position vras overrun. Concurrently Charfie Company came

1 under hemry attack. .An immediate counterattack uas initiated, and Item Com

. pany and Fox Company- iJere attached to the 1st Battalion to assist in reducing a stronely held enemy position in front of ths 1st Battalion. Information obtained through PO\J interrogation revealed that this position Has held by the 13th Regj.ment, 6th NI\PJ~ Division.

Enemy resisto 11Ce uos stubborn, and by the end of the day the enemy continued to hold tHo l3r·;:se hills (Hills 272 [md 286) overlooking the road through thn Tiegime,T!:ta1 sec-l:,or. At this tii'lle the Regimental Commander ordered that the 1st Battalion tie-in a strong perimeter for the nicht. The 2d Battalion vias ordered to cross the River a:·1d c;ssi:Jt in ·::.he captnre of the 1st Battalion objective.

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At 0628 hours: 22 Septer:1ber, the 3d Battalion res1..1111ed its advance. The -advance continued th:roue;hont the dey. Only light enemy resistance uas encountered, ond at the end of the day the 3d Jattclion held the high ground cormnanding Sinban-ni.

I

On 23 SepteHber, IIills 272 and 286 •.-1ere captured after hea:vY fighting. . After the reduction of Hill 286 the 1st Dat~2lion Has ordered·. to remain, ,i_n position. Concurrently the 3d Battalion <.Jas ordered to continue i11s advance, and by 2048 ho,•rs had reached .a point 1000 yards from Changnyu, \-Ihere. it ·,.,as instruc.ted

I to, hold until dawn. - . . .

At 0745 hours, 24 September, the 2d Battalion arrived at Changnyu and the 3d Battalion resumed its advance vrith the mission of seizing Hyopchon, which was 22 miles fran the 23d Infantry bridgehend• The objective was seized, and a small but deter;1dned grou~J of enemy routed by 1030 hom·s.

Concurre,1tly the 1st JGttalion \·Jas ordered to Giveep :to the South and mop up

l enemy forces south of tho 23d Infantry bridgehead in order to.-. S\03.!3u:r'~ the HSR _and - fecilitate a river crossi'1S by the 9th Infantry. The 1st Battalion·.encouritered stiff resistence in the form of .enemy pocketsj they- captured a large enemy supply dump, ond ot 1710 hours attacl-:cd a Hell organized enenrj position_ from the.'reor. This position, apparently estaolished to impede the 9th IJ1,fani;ry riv~r c·rossi!lg, uas seized, and apl)roximat.ely one battalion of enemy -vms de_st:royed. "':. · < ·

. \ . .

On 25 September, the 1st Battalion rejoined the Regiment at Hyopchon, .a!ld at 1600 hours tho Roe;imont, spearheaded by the 3d Battalion, r(;lsumedits advance tm:ard .Anui. The adva::ce continued throughovt the night. At 1800 _l;lours, a persistent group of approximately 300 enel;ly Has dispersed. The advanc9! Has slou due· to extremely diffi141Ult rand conditions, and the necessity of removing hastily laid eneny mi;1e fields. .As the Regimental column neared F_ochang, it -v1as- necessary to :iJnprovise crossings over tHo blo-vm out bridges, and a second group of eneiny, approximdely 120 in strength, 11as dispersed. At 0500 hours, 26 September, the colULm reached ICochang, I:D miles from Hyopchon, and tws directed to halt i~ place and give road Clearance to the 38th InfantrJ. '· .

At 0800 holU~s, 26 September, the 1st Battalion uas detached _and sent .to the vicinity of Koryong, Hitll the mission of el:iJninating elements-'-of the. lOth NKPA Division, uh:i.ch \·Jere att01.1pting to assenble in that area. The 1st Battalion \.1as reinforced for this mission by the attach.rnent of Charlie Company; 72d Tank Batta:.. J.ion, cmd Able Battery, 37th Field .Artiller-.1 Battalion._

\~ At 1630 hours, 26 Septer:1ber, the 23d Infantr.r, minus the 1st· Battalion Com-·

bnt Team, resmnod its aclvnuce o.nd reo.ched l.np.i at 1930 hours. Upon arrival· at lmui, patrols -v1ere dispatched to reconnoiter the local ·road net and search out possible enef:ly positions.

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\. At 01,00 hours, 27 .September, a hecrv;:.r enemy artiD .. el"J and mortar barrage

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I fell on Anui. Durine; tho bs::.~race the Cor:nnandL1g Officer, 3d Battalion (Lieutenant Cplonel R. G • .s:1errard), u.::s severely uou.YJ.ded. The Battolion Executive

f

! Officer, the S-2, the J.~ssistant S-3, the liotor Officer, the Artiller.r Liaison Officer, and an Anti-.Aircraft Officer uere ldlled, and 25 enlisted men of the Rec;imental and Battslion Headquarters Compa:•1ies Here Hounded. The remainder of 27 September, uas uneventful.

On 28 Septer·iber, the 3d Dattalio:1 was ordered to move to and secure the Kochang area. The nove uas co1npleted by 1825 ho••rs. The 2d Battalion assumed resl;o:1sibility 'for the Anui area, and at 1025 hours, established contact b-.f l)atrol ~ .. rith the 2)th Infantry Division.

Vigorous patrol a?tivit;;- in the Ree;imentaJ. zone of responsibility Has continued durinc 29 Septembe1•. The lot Battalion rejoined the Ree;iment at Kochang at 1600 hours. Dm•ing the clay the Regimental zone of responsibility uas extended- to Chongju, e1:.1d the 3d Battalion \·Ws ordered to move ·bo. Chinan. Th'e 1st Battalion Has directed to remain at Kochang dtU'ing the night and to move to Ko.chei-ri on 30 f:)eptember. The 2d Battalion Has directed to remain at Anui. Al11 Battalions Here directed to continue vie;orous patrol activity uithin the zone •.

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t Col, Infantry Commanding


' --"'"-~-'" ··"-·~ ... !:

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GEN"EP.AL' ORD.~ r~ffiER 196

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CONHA,ND AND U!1IT FIISTORICAL' PERIOD. 1. SEP;rEtJ.IBER - 30

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTII Ui:1ITED STATES ,'ARMY KOREA

- Office of the'~.Commandiug . . APO 301' . . ·

E;XTRACT ,,

· Distinguished-Service Cross-Av.rards ••• · •• 1 •••••• • ·' '• I• ,-...·

. I. .AHARD OF THE ·DISTINGUISHED-SERVICE·-.~·--·'·· • President';" ~der the pro-.;isions' of. the ·ict·' .. LioJn~n~es

(1-ID Bul 43, 1918), .and pursua;nt·'to authority · Distingu~~hed-Service .Cross, ,;for . . · · ·

.· u. in th~ name, of the\Comiuander...:in~Chie,5~ f,~:t;· Eas ... •· ' " ~-' .'":· ••. ,, ___ •• ,-" ·,_\. y • !.-~} < ·.

,' -:; ,•

, 1. , . · Lieufenant Colonel CLAIRE E~ HUTCHIN "JR., 02109~,"· ...... L •• , • ..,.,

.:ATm-.r, .a _ni~mher of Headquarters Company, 1st. Batt~l~on,

_:(

2nd Infgtit:t-;.Y Division distinguished himself by .. · . ·. ~h ~rme'q).~hemy• near C11angyong, Korea; 'on ·. · .. · · · 'Korean fcir.ces "made a fierce attack in· ov'el'Jtl!J.E~.lll1.J.rlg·Yrnmu::)er · s iliJ:1~n •,thousand 7'ard front being held by: the ·

,Jhe 'river·.de~~i1s.es qf Companies B and C. ~lmost :. almost· certa~n 'disaster, Colonel· Hutchin: ro·: rmtaa . Battalion and 'reerganizing it into ·an effective compli~hed i•iith such success that tl1e enemy was further penetration. Dpring the entire battle .sta11t attack by an enemy idth apparently.~l.mlimi the action the enemy suffered over three>pundred extremely difficult time, Colonel Hutchin inaintained·.an, c<:mfidence, and personally led units and 1nen into des ..... ·.&·· .• 4 ... ;.,.,v,, ... ,:.:J:''!:<'

ing h:i.ms elf to the enemy fire constantly l..Thile doing so~ . decisive. actions -vrere the major factor .in maintaining :a s the enemy's front lines astride one of 'the enemy Nain;Supply "'.· "''.',.""'' course of t]1is,. action·, a counterattacking battali.on from·'.~~ther. Has cut off an~· surrounded in the vicinity of t~e 1st Battal'ic:n:, jand 'qq ... v.u ....... ,

Hutchin, on.l}is 'mm initiative, assumed comma11d of these .additional fo ........... ",, ........ 4· . ' . ; / .--' ~ ,, ~

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GO 196, Hq EUS.t'~K, )I.PO 301, 14 Dec 50 .contd • . , ' :':<.\ . . . ~ .. · ::~.··-~.;-,·, '," /:~·' ;\... . c

his area, organizing the positions. of both battalions in. S'UP.h'a;-tvaY;· th;3.t':f;u:t';ther enemy attacks \.rere completely futile. For a period of a1mos,t :·,~wq .9-a:rs, :zpo19iiel Hutchin continuonsly exposed. himself. to what appeared tQ ··b~.~·gertain'·d.9ath:.:i..n~·~. order to maintain the ·morale of his men.· :His ·cheerfulness:·and.':confidence·'d.UL"ing this period \-Jere unfailing, and a sou.r.ce of trernendO}.lS )'W3p~ration~to a+:J: of his officers and men. Colonel Hut chin 1· s great pc.rsonal . cqri;'age' and insp;ix-iAg leadership during this action reflect credit on h:i.m.S,elf and~~~h~' ' · Entered the militar.r service from HashingtoJ1. · · ::r·;::;~>.~·;

' • ; • ~-; I ·. t; .·.

BY .001>11'-!Al'ID OF LIEUTE1:W.NT GENERAL lfALKER: .. , .

OFFICIAL:

/s/ T. J. Harnane /t/ T. J. Hlu."Uf.AHE

Colonel, AGO Adjutant General

A TRUE COPY:·

RUEL H. LE'vTIS 1-1ajor, Infantry

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!EVEN C • ALIEN 1·Iaj Gen, GSC · .. :Chief of S"(:;aff, ·

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ANNEX 3

1. TROOPS .ASSimrED:

_ _ The 3d Battalion Combat Team wa~ detach~d d}.,r~g· . 15 S~ptember 1950. The 37th Field Artillery Battalion~ ·

-- Anti:...Aircraft Artillery Battalion remai..'rled attache<:}' pany 11 Btt, 2d .,Engineer Battnlion vias in direct

-·l· :7(""··, '<: ~

. 2. PROBLEI\B OF ORGAHIZAmiON:.

~~inti this period ,it ,:]as fourid.~tliat: Hea , pany 1-Ias -too;·Targe an organization f~:r ef'f~-~y~y,e'" __ n.,..'t" .... ,..

but tJ:tat most of the platoons of thfi3 'company vrere -.,~".,"""''"'v"'~"" ..... , Headqtiqrtera and HeC)dquarters Company:sp.ould be. "~"~'~'",..''R

\- . Command Group; Headquarters Platoon,/ _ · _ __ F ·_:Platoon remain\within the Comnany~ .,An,· additional ·9 .. C>m:R~~il.Y2

·?~d s~9l.lid he 'Inc1de up of an I~telligence -~nctRe··· c .. 'c·:n-'1na::Ls,:~tl:r. Tank .It!:];rte Platoon, and an Engineer P:~;atoonf· ': The dropped ..

/· ·" '

_ The. Engineer Platoon should be ; organized to ·repair:,. install Hater points, and_ conduct: nec.essary:_ .. ,_, .............. ... shoUld be equipped \lith a small dozer, :~ .. ~m~ll ard gas operated saws.

ThE! Engmeer Company- att.ached from;the Enginee~ equipped to perform the 11 hasty11 type' of ,road repair<fre .

··· pedite the movenent of a regi:nental colu<:m and is not, as·_.""''''·,-; regimental missions. · · .,_

ists, The Counterfire Platoon Has ,never us?d~ It·'req:~e_s't<>9-}Wa,

and the- eouinment 1vill not stand mi under field- cond-itions'~'" ::t'~ · ... .. • ..lo , ,._ '~ " • • • •

3 OP:E:R.J\TIONAL PROBLEHS • • •

Tactics: There r,ws <:: dire· need during the for reserves. Troop strength 1-1as insufficient to cover

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:>' .. · '· '• ';'·~/~{··~Jf;f': · ·· . . ., . . .. · .... '',,.; .· ·. -,::·i~~I£t~·; ·:·i. ,~~·;.~:·;;:,>-: ·,-~~;

frontage assigned to the regir.lent. lt Wfll:? not possibl~ .. to const,i:t.l:lt:e'.a,,:re.s,erV'e/ from "'Per so ·mel of He.adquerters · and Headqu~rters · ComPt!nY,'. 51nd .~.e;ri,i~~~Comp~'I,li; • dJ;Ie to the fact that all available men were committed in the: ·' ·. ter.•';' llhen·=·the···;:;, .·· eneT;r.f penetroted the positions of one con;-p_any JFox Co~pa~);,} ' 1-1as··~Ptul~d Ol.It of the lin~ in another company sectCl~{,Abl.e Comp~nyT>a . ·. in~~.t,h~J~i{ • Fox Company sector. If a concurrent attaqJi.had been·. 4b:le:com..:: pany the reeimentel sector I.JOuld hBye. been s.eriously, · ...• ·f:'t•::

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:~,~~:\ .. Gaps bet'deen ·the-r~g:imental ,fla,};W:.§, anfl flanks .~ ....... _,..,., •. ,~

a constant problem. The smallest gap crt,,P,.nY t;ime :d ~~l'l.e;•;~~rj.otLL-w·~ yards· in 1ddth. · · ·

Although the available troop st:r~ngth.;was assignf?d sector, the regiment ·,~as able.,;by ~.~tau-'-. ..L"'J'~-'-'-lt.'.c co:m1nanding grourid astride the main ro~di::·J?~9;.:fu4t.;·•:{ .ne"'.e. unable to ·prevent small groups of' enemi o,r.r.qilF . .·

:. It •ras n~c~ss~cy- to send out patrols each .· nurnber of enemy killed 1Jy these patrols rapged

The b~eak-through frorri .• quired aggressive- Infg;1try action with'

and air·support.) no depcrturefrom ' .... ·•J:'·-~u·:--:~. ' . ~. . .· . ··~ .. ~· ." ,· c .. :'· .,\ r._::· .. ;~:~v·~:;;:_.:<~'(~/<:.-.'::··.:

'· ,__ , . .. · .In .the pursuit· tHo- batt~1ions· .q-t.~-~r,:tf:~ptr;:t· v1¢;.~;@c>t all available vehicles -including tanks'"and:.~rtillA ....... r·>vAn

had passed:beymid enemy Jp,ine 'laying'elemen:t$·;<t[).e:r:~ ·. ~lith small enenr.r groups Hhich. Here quickly} dispersed. · ..

. ·zed, to the utmost d1:ring the pursuit with,the regim~~"!:o::.,.,· ·-:.·: .. =·"'"' · .. as much_as fo!r'ty miles in. a single night. ·;.T)ie :ene:u:ry:;1iras.

vent or- impede this night movement. · · 1

;, · · · ·

\,feather:. Temperatures continueR,~l~ir;J-y high . . . ,peveral days of rain hempe:red observatio~3~,_a11d ¢Uade ·

L}. SUPPORTING UNITS:

. Art.il1erv: During the period1.p,~pt~mber< Field Artillery Battalion delivered. an outs·tariding

· 3,500 rounds in a single night). Artill€nzy ~for~.rcird just~d fire to '1-rithin 25 y~rds of the forward_:elem.~~t

Artillery annnunition equi:1ped "f.-tJ·.h tl:\e .variao+-8.·,···' -~~~::~~~ to be. particularly effective aga~nst enew tro9p conc€m~ra mation o:f' a regimental combat team it is believed th~:t-·one ,_T .. ... "".,...,r·.-,r, hoHitzers should be 'attoched to the 105mm howitzer batt~l.io'n~<-; .;:,

I . In the pnrs~i~ the arti11ery ·ha,d ~no op?~rtv.ni.jj;cto 'gq .i,hto Zac~~~~_}:;

Its veh~cles H8re ut~l~zc'ld to tr~::F:sport a battah,on of ~nfantry., . :: · .... '> .. . ., . ··;'

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.Anti-ki:ccraf-G ArtiJlor:z: Tho 1!-16 and I·;-19 uere an iiil.!_JOrtant part of. the regi:r:1e:.1tal defensive s~rstom, the 1-:-19 beins thr:; better \vea:pon, because it uos eble to bri'1['; l:.1rc:;e concentrotions of effective f;,.e to bear on long range_ tarGets.

In the attock the mJti-aircraft artillery su:~Yplemented the fire of the tanks. 1:-16 1 s 2nd E-19 1 s ~.roro able, by follo'.:i;1g tho tanJ\:s, to cover areas contnin:Lrc; <:nti-tank '•J08l1ons end personnel. ThG forceful leadership of the Corunandine; Officer, Jattr.:Jry nJt:, 82-·K1 lJ.Ji.A Da:t,talion C0'.1tributed _greatly to the successful Gi'l})lo~rmc;nt o? the anti-nircraft ar-t;illel~.'f ueapons_.·,

Armor: The basic ta'1k-infantr-,;r toa:n is still e formidable ·,.Jeapon. It is ossm1tic::l -(hat all lo~1ders be fully famiJiar uith the limitations and the capabilities of tan!:s. Tcmks may be ellll)loyed in roue;h terrain if the tank corn1anders have initiati7e.

Durinc this cam.paign tank maintenance uas a greater problem than ·ene~my action. On one occasion a tank company attached,to the regiment had only two tanks in operation, although only one had been lost through enemy action. During the same period the organic tank company Has able to keep a'n average of 15 vehicles in operation. ·

lJ.d.iacent Units: Liaison Officers Here utilized in effecting coordina.G~on Hith adjacent units. HoHever, uhen situations arose in '\·lhich coordination betHeen 1.mi ts Has insufi'icient, supervision by higher headquarters <-Tas needed. For exmr:.ple bound8ries behJCen. 1.mits, assigned on an· inaccurate map, uill often leave as much eS a thousand or more yc.rds of gap betVTeen the units uhen the · boundary is interpreted on the grom1d. Road .:::nci bridge priorities should be established by higher hqadquartors. Csordi.11ation cf these priorities should be snpel~v:taed by a WJmbcr of the hit:;hor heCJdquarters staff Hho is Oj1 the gro1Jnd and has full k:1oHled_ze of -::,h~ tactic2l sittwti_ori.

Ueapons Evnluation: The H-26 tank H:'.S found to be underpouered. Its fi:re r)ouer is adequate, 1mt under 3dvorse co·1ditioD.S the E-26. reqv.ired more maintennnce than the I ~-4.

The I'i-19 li.nti-Aircraft ~1..rtillor-J vol1icles need more arrnor" and should hc:ve a more su1Jstantial tracl-c:

The 4. 2 !·Iortm· proved to be a vel"J vcluable Heapon; hmvever, a cll:culcr base plcte must be de7elo)ec1 in order to permit a shift of sector l.rithout rosettin_s the base plate.

The SCR 300 rocHo ~1as found to be inadeqP.~ite, in Korea!l terrain, as a necms of co:::mll.Dicatir;1 t bet\.Jee:1 foruard observers of the mortar company and the direction center • .,

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ForHard. observers for mortar units should be sergeant a:>Jd sergeant first class; normally, corporals do not ·have tho experience and training required for thi:3

Control of tank fires Has difficult. tank is not an ndequate means of cmnmu..11ication the infantr-.r ·platoon.. ~ · ·

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ANNEX 4

LOGISTICAL ANNEX TO CONMAND AND UNIT HISTORICAL REPORT

PERIOD 1 SEPTEMBER - 30 SEPTEMBER 1950

During the period 1 September - 30 September 1950, many logistical problems arose. After the enemy break-through on the N"aktong River, it was impossible to continue normal supply operations. Early in September i·!i was necessar.y to supply the battalions by air drop due to the fact that the main supply routes to the battalion positions were either cut off by the enenzy-, or were under intense enemy fire. On 3 September a regimental trains E>rea was established sufficiently far to the rear to allow supply functions to be carried on without interference from enemy activity.

At this time a rourid trip of eighty miles was required in ordEn~ to obtain rations, ammunition, gasoline, lubricants, and other needed su;,plies. A round trip of 110 miles was required in order to contact the supp~rr ;-.1n.g ;· ordnance unit. ·

In order to offset the disadvantage involved in driving long C.i.stances to contact the supporting technical service agencies, every effort we· made to insure that all vehicles 1,rere used 'to the marlm:um. Wounded personnel and dead were evacuated· on supply trucks. During the period 1 September - ~ 0 September · 280 personnel killed in a~tion, 1,678 battle casualties, and 337 r:r:1-battle casualties were evacuated.

In order to prevent delay in returning damaged 1-1eapons to frcnt line units, a vehicle repair ~eam was organized within the regimental service .:ompany. This team, by cannibalization and by the use of field expedient method[1 was able to repair and return 750 weapons to front line units. This activit,y ,_>revented a time lag of approxima·tely four days in returning damaged weapons to the using unit.

Movement of the regiment during the period 1 September - 30 2.eptember was made difficult in that only rarely was supporting transportation furnished. Shuttle movemen~s result in great delay and loss of combat effic:lency.

No satisfactory method of launderL'1g clothing was devised. It. would be desirable if a laundry platoon \-tare one of the normal attachments of the regi-' mental. combat team during combat.

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Graves Registration activities were normal throughout the period. A burial detail, composed of native laborers, was utilized to dispose of enemy dead and · to assist in.evacuating the bodies of United Nations personnel killed in action.

The evacuation of prisoners to the division prisoner o~ war enclosure forty miles away, placed a heavy strain on organic transportation.

22

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Lt Col, ~ Executive Officer :23d Infantr.r Regt


- ~ I ,

· , REPRODUCED AT THE NATlONA~ ARCHIVES. >

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ANNEX 5

INTELLIGENCE ANNEXTTO COMMAND AND UNIT HISTORICAL REPORT

,, PER~OD 1 SEPTEHBER - 30 SEPI'El'1BER 1950

1. GENERAL:

During the early part of the period 1-30 September, the 23d Infantr,y faced a well organized, well trained, and well equipped enem;Y •. Each attack showed skillful planning at staff levels. ·

In the initial action, .31 August- 1 September, the enemy was apparently familiar with 23d Infantry dispositions. Each position was,.•after being attacked, methodically enveloped.

weapons, clothed,

2.

Enell\Y troops were equip:ged with late model, Russi.~n-type automat.+.~!·r,::~;·,, mortars, self-propelled guns, tanks and artillery. Althotigh.it;r#?~~· . their clothing was adequate for wear during the warm S~pt~mb~r '{~~'l{!ler. '

ENEMY SMALL UNIT LEADERSHIP:

Enemy units appeared to lack trained leaders a11~> company level. If leaders at this level had been trained in all phases of;:;·, combat, (for example, in the exploitation of .a penetration), it is doubtful that the 23d Infantry's defensive action, 31 August - 15 September could have. been successful. ·

3. ENEMY HORAIE:

It did not appear that enemy morale was high, nor that enemy troops possessed a high degree of conviction as to the justice of the cause for which they were fighting. Prisoners·:, when captured spoke freely of the low morale of their.units, their fear of their officers, and the location of enemy installa-· tions. , Apparently, communist propoganda concerning the cruelty of American:: forces toward prisoners had not convinced an appreciable number.

4• INTERROGATION OF PRISONERS:

Interrogation of captured enemy personnel elicited much valuable information. LJcations of enemy \veapons reported by prisoners were surprising)Jr accurate.

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.,.___ ___ _ / / '·' REI?RODUCED AT THE NATI~NA~ ARCHIVES '

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Interrogation was carried on through m1 teams attached to the Regiment. It is' believed that much valuable information i-i'as lost due to the fact that these personnel were not trained in military matters. Training of officers and senior nonconwissioned officers in languages for use in intelligence work would be of .great value.

5. INTELLIGENCE AND RECONNAISSA.1IDE PLATOON:·

During the defensive action, the I & R Platoon was employed on :boutine patrol missions, escort of trucks corltaining wounded, and clearing of the MSR.' During the attack of 16 September, one.squad was utilized in searching en~ dead.

6 •. MAP SUPPLY:

Hap supply VIas extremely limited throughout the per:Lod. Maps were inaccurate and could not be used in the adjustment of supporting fires. Captured maps ·v1ere found to be far more accurate than those obt~>ined through normal supp~ channels.

7. ENEMY UNITS ENGAGED:

period: The follmving enerr.w units were engaged by the 23d Infantry during the

2d Divis ion UiKPA) 4th Division (NKPA) 7th Division (NKPA) . 9th Division (NKPA) l~th Armored Brigade 105th Armored Division

~ Lt Col, Jl· • Executive Officer 23d Infantry Regiment

SECRET


..,.. ·- ... ,

.. ·

1. PURPOSE:

S E'C RET

ANNEX 6

. ·-~· TACTICAL AIR SUPPORT ANNEX TO

'CONMAND AND UNIT HISTORICAL REPORT PERIOD 1 SEPTEMBER - 30 SEPrEHBER 1950

~ _,.... , .... ' '-...' ...-'

The following is a restm1e of Tactical Air Support provided .to' the f3d Regimental Combat Team in the Korean Campaign, during the period 1 September to 30 September 1950.. '

2. ORGANIZATION OF TACP:

Tactical Air Control Parties (TACP), as provided to t.he 23d Regiment:al Combat Team consisted of one Air Force pilot as air liaison officer/ one.radio' operator, one radio meehanic, and one dr.iver. Equipment used by the. party cons is ted of two trucks, '1/ 4 ton, 4x4, mounting a VHF radio (SCR 522) and an HF . · .. radio (SCR 191). VHF radio was used for ground to air contact; and the. HF ·radio for ground to ground contact. Personnel of the TACP were rotated fiNery three;:.: 1-1eeks. · · · ·· j

3. TACTICAL EMPLOYMENI' OF REGnl8NT DURING Tim PERIOD : ' ·i

The Combat Team remained in defensive positions in the Changn;rong,A-r~a dur;... ing the period 1 September - 15 September and was under almost constant enemy' .·. ·· · i attack during this period. During the period beginning 16 Septeill.ber, until .the end of organized resistance in South Korea the 23d Infantry was carrying out attack and pursuit activities.

.. 4. AVAILABILITY OF TACP 1s TO THE 23D RCT: \,

' Since the TACP Hith the 23d Regimental Combat Team -v1as assigned for·

only fifteen days duty, the Tactical Air Control Officer had left the Combat Team on 25 August, while it uas being employed above Taegu, .leaving the Conibat Team 1·-rithout a Tactical Air Control Party for the remainder of. the .. Taegu Action.

The 23d RCT did not receive anothGr TACP until 2 September. The TACP, which reported on 2 September, departed on 5 September, leaving the 23d with~ out an attached TACP until 12 September. On 10 and 11 September, the 2d Division Artillery loaned a TACP to the 23d. This TACP brought the·first air strikes since 5 September into the 23d sector.

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On 12 September a TACP led by 2d Lieutenant Frazier, USAF, reported to the ?3d Regimental Combat Team and immediately brought in air strikes .which aided greatly in repulsing repeated enemr attacks. This TACP continued to provide air support for the Combat Team during the breakout from the Pusan Perimeter on 16 September, the Naktong River crossing, and the westward advance to Chonju. The last air strike flown for the 23d Regimental Combat Team during the action in; South Korea, wa~ flown on 26 September, at Anui.

5. OPERATION OF CLOSE AIR SUPPORT:

The keys to efficient close air support.operations are communication and target identification.

a. Communication and Target Identification Methods.

The gro1lUd commander, in whose SQctor an air target exists, reports the location to the TACP. vlhenever practicable, the ground commander establishes personal contact with the TACP; ho~:.rever, this is rarely possible inasmuch as only one TACP is assigned to the· Regiment. llhen personal contact with the TACP is .,1\ot possible, the ground commander is forced to relay. his message to the ground com~ mander nearest the TACP who, in turn, rel~s it to the TACP, utilizing either wire, radio. or personal contact. The TACP then relays the message to the .control plane by VHF radio. · · · · ··

Frequently it is not practical to identify the target to. the. c.ontrol plane by using outstanding terrain features, since the control plane cannot recog...: nize the terrain feature, .and must request that smqke be placed on the target. This request must be relayed to the ground commander calling for the air strike who, in turn, must call for an artillery fire mission and.wait for the artiller,y fire to be adjusted on the target. Finally, when the control plane identif'ie13 the target, he must call in the fighters. To call in the fighters, he contacts the planes on another radio and tells them where the target is located. The· fighters, upon arrival over the target area, make a pass at the target and.the ground commander calls in any needed corrections or informs the fighters that

. they are on the target. The air strike is ·then completed. · . . I

The above procedure is very complicated and many unforseeable de~ lays may occur. Radios may cease to function; the control planemay identify

' the vlrong target; the control plane and/or fighters may ru.Tl. out of fuel; the target may be beyond the range of artillery; or the enemr m~ fire smoke on friend~ positions to confuse the control plane.

During the periods when the 23d Infantry was without a Tactical Air Control Party, efforts were made to use Tactical Air Control Parties which ~ere with neighboring units. This required that a 11 remote control11 system of communications, utilizing telephone or radio contact with the Tactical Air Control Party1

26

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•


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be established i.11 order that target information might be transmitted to the Tactical Air _Control Party, for transmission to the fighter control plane. This system was highly unsatisfacto~f due to the fact that the officer-~ charge of.the TAGP was not familiar with the terrain concerned and to tho fact that the.· highly complicated system of communications was inadequate.

Often priorities for air strikes were not granted because of the theory that if a target was 1--tithin artillery range, it should be neutralized by artiller,y. This should not be a governing factor in assigning air priority, since many targets can be covered more effectively by air than by artillery. Artillery emplaced on reverse slopes, isolated guns and tanks, ~lhich can not be

. observed from the ground, are examples of s.uch targets. -

6. SUNMARY:

a. Tactical Air Control personnel must be grotmd personnel ~ssigned . to the infantrJ battalions. Such personnel would always-be familiar with ground. situations and could easily be taught the capabilities and limitations of figp.ter aircraft. Qualification as a fighter pilot is not necessarily a qualificatiori_ for duty as a Tactical Air Control Officer. ·

b. It is imperative tpat two liaison planes be attached to·each in7 ... fantry regiment. :These planes should be able to communicate by radio with both the front line battalions and the fighter aircraft. In addition to _their function in providing air support'· these planes would perform air :re.contiaissance -missions for the reg:iJnent. Aerial reconnaissance has, in the past,. saved many lives and enabled commanders to take proper tactical 'action. which would have' been. ' impossible without prior aerial reconnaissance. - -

c. Radios used by tactical air control parties on the ground, ground· commanders, -air control planes and fighter planes should be ca~ble of int~~ commUnication.

d. High speed jet aircraft are not suitable for clos~ support operations due to the. larg~ turning radius (approximately 18 miles) of these aircraft, the fact that the pilot of a jet aircraft, traveling at extremely high speeds can not easily identify ground targets, and the fact that the ttpayload11 of a jet air-craft is very .small compared to that of the F-51 or F-47. - ·

e. Aircraft pilots receive little, if any, ins.truction in ground combat and/or terrain identification.

f. In the ideal situation, close air support would operate as follow~:

'A tactical air control party should be assigned to _each front line

z7

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.. REI?RODUCED AT THE NATIONA~ ARCHIVES ' -.~.·

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infantr,y battalion. The ground conrraander would then be able to point out desired targets to the officer in charge of> the tactical air control party, who \-lould be located at the battalion observation post. The Tactical Air Control Party would then contact the air liaison plane, which 1-1ould, in turn, direct the fighters to the target. The liaison pilot, 1-1orking always with his own unit and having nightly personal contact with the ground commander, 1.,rould be thoroughly qualified to control air strikes in the unit sector. In the absence of a liaison plane, the tactical air control party could .communicate directly with the fighter aircraft.

In the situation described above, both the TACP and the liaison ' pilot would be familiar with the target area, thus providing the fighter aircraft with better target designation. If, whenever. possible, the same fighter squadron were assigned to support the same unit daily, close support problems would be greatly simplified.

(

28 ' '

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Cesides V. Barberis

Charles H. Goldsmith

Kiyoshi Hasuda

Brice C. Hoare, Jr

\>Jilliam R. Giani

Louie F. Burch

Daniel C. Harris

Clarence E. Henderson

Ray D. Sullivan

Frankie Harvey

/··· « -, r . / , REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONA~ ARCHIVES , j;,:

-·----··--·---··- -----------.-~

SECR~T

ANNEX 7

LIST OF A'\JARDS }LiDE TO MEHBEBS OF THE 23D INFANTRY

DURIUG SEPTE11BER

~ ~

Major Silver Star

Sgt 1 Silver Star

Corporal Bronze Star

Corporal Bronze ~tar


Pfc Bronze Star

Pfc Bronze Star

Pfc Bronze Star

Private Branz; e Star


29

SECRET

GENERAL ORDERS

G042

G042

GO 42

CiO 42

GO 42

GO 42

G042

GO 51.

GO 51

GO 59

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' FOREWARD TO WAR DIARY

1. When known, the authority for any particular action has been indicated in the authority column.

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2. Reference numbers listed refer to the corresponding supporting documents in Annex 2. The Unit Journal has been divided into sub-sections, which are listed under the general heading "Section A", and sub-sections are captioned "A-1 to A-311 • "

3. POR 1 s are listed under Section "B", and Operation Orders are listed under Section "C".

4. Annex 2 is attached only to copies 1 and 2 of the Command and Unit Historical Repert, and to the copy which will be retained by Headquarters Eighth United States Arlny. ·

30

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-00300077

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TJJ:I;E OF ACTION

0010 Hrs 1 Sep 50

00.30 Hrs 1 Sep 50

00.38 Hrs 1 Sep 50

06.30 Hrs 1 Sep 50

0700 Hrs 1 Sep 50

07.35 Hrs 1 Sep 50

SE.CRET'

·.HEADQUARTERS, 2.3D INFANTR'L REGIHENT

WAR DIARY

Tll'1E RECORDED

0010 Hrs 1 Sep 50

00.30 Hrs 1 Sep 50

00.38 Hrs 1 Sep 50

06.30 Hrs 1 Sep 50

0700 Hrs 1 Sep 50

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AUTHORITY

Unit Journal Entry #5.3, 1 Sep 50

Unit Journal Entr-.r #57, 1 Sep 50

Unit Journal Entr-.r #59, 1 Sep 50

Unit Journal Entry #97, 1 . Sep 50

0735 Hrs Unit Journal 1 Sep 50 Entry #106, ·

1 Sep 50

REF. .ACTION NO.

~he Division Commander 1-1as notified by the Regi- .A-1 mental Commander, that Regimental Reserve had. been committed and that George Com:rany 1-Jas .

Fox Company was ____--attached to the 1st Battalion. committed on the left flank of the Regimental Sector. The Regimental Commander then request-ed a reserve battalion.

Charlie·Company, out of contact with the second A-1 platoon, met and engaged the en~ in hand to hand combat.

The Reeimentel Commander furnished Division G-3 A-1 uith an Qral situation report and requested that_ Easy Conpany be ret1.1rned to Regimental Control. - .~

1st Battalion Command Post reported it was being A-1 overrun by 200 enemy. Three squads were sent to the relief.of the 1st Battalion Command Post •

Security forces attached to the Regil1ental .Com- A-1 mand Post Here under attack by approx.ill'lately 400 enemy, who had infiltrated 1st Battalion posi-tions. Friendly casualties 1-1ere light. The posi- · tion Has secure, but was in danger of being surrolinded.

I

Division G-.3 Has notified 1J.J Reg:i.n-cental S-.3, that A-1 Regimental front had collapsed and the Regiment

. was hol~ing ~only~·a· -r~ strong points.

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Unit Journar·.: Easy.Gompany reverted to Regimental Control. Entry #113, · ·. '' 1 Sep ?O

ni~· Reginlental Command Post wai.~oved 400. iard.s to A-:i the rear, to the 2d Battalion Command Post~ .Securi-ty forces i-lere instructed to withdraw to the-·new · Command Post Area.

------

Unit Journal Entry #116, 1 Sep 50

- - ·- - - -

_,r" - •

Fox Company, in blocking positions on •.the Changnyong road, came in contact with enemy forces which had infiltrated Charlie Company's positions.

The Regimental Commander was notified that General Haynes, Divarty Commander, woulCl. take command of the sector.

The 1st Battalion in its entirety, was withdrawn to perimeter positions and perimeter defenses were established.

A-1

A-1-

A-1

Unit Journal Entry .#131,

The Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion had been authorized to withdraw his forces to the Changnyong· sector. He requested permission to establish a perimeter defense position on high ground in the vicinity of' his Command Post, in order to delay the enemy advance on Changnyong. Permission 1-1as granted •

A-1 _ r I

1 Sep 50

. Easy Co:!'lpany took positions on the right f'lank of / A-1 Fox Company to strengthen the line.

I

Signature: 1( ;t. 9'-<JJr_.,, "C.,t 4 S~ C R E ~

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HEADQUARTERS, 23D INFANTRY REGD-1ENT

Signature: 'if~ J-,..._~, r~t{

HAR DIARY

REF. ACTION' ~-TO.

The 3d Bat.t.alimJ of the 38th Infantry was ordered A-1 to attempt to establish contact vJith the 1st Batta-lion of the 23d Infantry. The 3d Battalion of the 38th Infant~J had been attached to the 23d at 1300 Hrs. (See Unit Journal Entry #119, 1 Sep 50)

The 1st Battalion reported that they Here critically A_;l low on supplies and requested an air drop, since the Battalion \-las completely suxrounded.

The RegimentaJ. Corrunander w:;s notified by General A-1 Haynes, that Generals l'fac.Arthur end \·Talker had ordered, 11 That 1.Je shall not S'\.J.rrender another inch r.nd ":le shall hold regardless of cost11 •

The enemy Has assembling to th0 front of Able and .A-1 Daker Compm-:.ies end the entire area Has subjected to henvy enemy artillery, r,;ortar and self-propelled gun fire.

The 1st JJattalion, cmder heav>J atteck, was forced to give up co1r.mrmding !1~.c:;h ground. An immediate C01h"1ter-attack Has organized and by 0715 the ene1r,y had been repelled and the high grotu1d recaptured. The counter-attacking units utilized nrebel ye11rr tactics, &s they moved into the assault. During the defense and com1ter-attDck, direct close. range fire by tanks and 40tlll1 AAA 5uns 1.-1ere of :i...1nportance in repelling the enemy. Enemy units uere identified as part of the 2d North Korean Peoples Divi'-

. sian.

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1130 Hrs 1130 Hrs 2 Sep 50 2 Sep 50

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1310 Hrs 2 Sep 50

14.30 Hrs 2 Sep 50

1450 Hrs 2 Sep 50

1240 Hrs 2 Sep 50

1.310 Hrs 2 Sep 50

14.30 Hrs 2 Sep 50

1450 Hrs 2 Sep 50

SECRET

HEADQUllirtTERS, 2.3D HT.FAI\Tl'RY REG B-rENT

AUTHORITY

- - - - -


Unit Journal Entry :!~6.3, 2 Sep 50

- --- -

'vTAR DILRY

ACTION

The 1st Battalion eneaged by approximately one battalion of enemy, ivho appeared to be Hithdrawing front of the attack of the .3d Battalion, .38th Infantry.

Successful air strikes were completed ac;ainst an enemy force attempting to assemble in front of Easy Compa~ positions.

An enern;{ attack against the left flank platoon of Fox Company i·Ias rep1J].sed by 1440 Hrs., t..rith heavy casual ties inflicted on the enemy •

The Regimental Command Post Has subjected to an enemy artillery barrage. Enell'.y artill0ry continued to fall in the Command Post and Service Co~::pa~, throughout the dayljght hours of 2 and .3 September.

The 3d Battalion of the .38th Infantry, established contact 1-1ith the 1st Battalion, 2.3d Infc:ntry.

REF.

llih. .A-1

.A-1

A-1

A-1

.A-1

Unit Journal 11 patrol ·1-1as dispatched from Headquarters and Head- A-1 En try //-72, 2 Sep 50

quarters Company to contact the 1st Battalion and determine '1-Jhether or not the MSR to the 1st Batta-lion wos open. The patrol became engaged 1-1ith small enemy forces, but completed its mission without serious difficulty. One platoon l-!as detached from the 1st Battalion in order to hold open a large mountain pass betHeen the Regi.Jp.ental Comnand Post and the 1st Battalion.

SECRET

Signature: 11 ~ ; ..... 1-.t;;.,/ r:..,t; J1 Page .34

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Til-fE OF ACTION

1532 Hrs 2 Sep 50

1700 Hrs 2 Sep 50

1715 Hrs 2 Sep 50

1765 Hrs 2 Sep 50

1825 Hrs 2 Sep 50

19JO Hrs 2 Sep 50

0001 Hr~ 3 Sep 50

Tn:rs RECORDED

· 1532 Hrs 2 Sep 50

1700 Hrs 2 Sep 50

1715 Hrs 2 Sep 50

17~5 Hrs 2 Sep 50

1825 Hrs 2 Sep 50

1900 Hrs 2 Sep 50

0001 Hrs 3 Sep 50

S :C C R ~ T

HElill QUARTERS , 23D INF nr.rny HEG nm:Nr

AtJTHORITY

Unit Journal Entry i¥103' 2 Sep 50

-----Unit Journal Entry #lOS, 2 Sep 50

Unit Journal Entry //6, 3 Sep 50

H:£B~

P..EF. ACTION liQ.:_

The 2d Battalion Has successfully resupplied by air drop.

A-1

Au air strike to the front of the 2d Battalion cat~ed A-1 heavy enemy casualties. Easy Company attempted a limited objective attack, in order to seize more commanding· ground.

..----· Easy Company took positions on the right flank of A-1 Fox Company to strengthen the line. They were driven back by intense en~ mortar fire. George Com:::.'lany uas relieved from 1st Bat',,alion con- .A-1 trol and ordered to return to the 2d Battalion.

A patrol returning to the Regimental Command Post A-1 from the 1st Battalion reported that the enemy possessed considerable amounts of American clothing and equipment •.

Comnanies Item, King and !.ove, of the 38th lnfantl'iJ, A-l made contact 1·Jith the 1st Battalion and Here consolidated into a single psrimeter along \vith the 1st Battalion units. The Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, assumed control of all units in the perimeter.

The period opened with the 1st Battalion of the 23d A-2 Infantry, and the 3d Battalion, 38th Infantry in a defensive position around the 1st Battalion Command Post. The 2d Battalion occupied a road block, protecting Changnyong.

Signature: 1<~~14t4, t.,J;J7 S E C R E T

Page 35

Korean W

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-00300082

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37.

38

39

40

41

42

43

TTI-.iE OF .ACTION

1155 Hrs 3 Sep 50

1545 Hrs 3 Sep 50

1600 Hrs 3 Sep 50

1730 Hrs 3 Sep 50

2200 Hrs 3 Sep 50

0410 Hrs 4 Sep 50

SECRET

HEADQUARTERS, 23D INFANTRY REGll1ENT

illlJi ~ TllvJE

RECORDED

1155 Hrs 3 Sep 50

1545 Hrs 3 Sep 50

16o0 Hrs 3 Sep 50

AUTHORITY

Uni:fnJournal Entry #8'4, 3 Sep 50

Unit Journal Entry l/102, 3 Sep 50

1730 Hrs - - - - -3 Sep 50

2200 Hrs Un_it Jouxnal 3 Sep 50 Entry /11, 4

Sep 50

0410 Hrs - - - - -4 Sep 50

ACTION REF. liQ.s_

Plans uere made for the relief of the 1st Battalion A-2 23d, by the 3d Battalion 38th and movement of the 1st Battalion 23d to positions on the left of the 2d Battalion 23d. The 1st Battalion uas to move Hhen relieved, Hhich Hould be as soon as practicable. 1st Battalion arrived in its neh' positions at 1830 Hrs.

An air strike to the front of George Company enabled A-2 that unit· to advance and seize commanding ground.

·The road behind the 2d Battalion position \.Jas sub- A-2 jected to heavy self-propelled and mortar fire, obstructing the movement of supplies and aid vehicles, until darkness.

Easy Compan:,r launched a limited objective attack to A-2 improve their position. This Has followed by a simi-lar attack by Fox COJ;)pany.

The Regimental Coil1.'11ander notified the Division Com- .A-2 mander that the Regiment had established. a conplete perimeter defense of the Changnyong Road and the Regiment Hes in contact vlith the enemy ilest and South of the Regimental position.

Baker Company Has attacked by an enemy patrol, Hhich A-2 Hithdrevr after a b.rief fire fight.

Signature: 1/AI~l:f:r~t..t

The day vras spent in organizing and consolidating posi- A-2 tions. Active patrols, to the front, flanks, and rear, cleared out enemy pockets. Charlie Comparw was reorganized \.Jith about 20 men, under the command of 1st Lt. Russell C. Anderson.

.SECRET

Korean W

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-00300083

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32

33

34

35

36

TIME

SECRET

HEADQUARTERS, 23D INFANTRY REGIMENT

WAR DIARY

TD1E OF ACTION RECORDED- AUTHORITY ACTION

REF. !1Q.:_

0145 Hrs 0145 Hrs 3 Sep 50 3 Sep 50

0405 Hrs 0405 Hrs 3 Sep 50 3 Sep 50

0730 Hrs 0730 Hrs 3 Sep 50 3 Sep 50

1030 Hrs 1030 Hrs 3 Sep 50 3 Sep 50

1030 Hrs 1030 Hrs 3 Sep 50 3 Sep 50

A strong enemy attack, utilizing approximately t\vo compaines::(i"!'"2 was launched against Easy and Fox Companies. ·The enemy made 11Banzain ch~crges on Fox Company. Heavy casualties were inflicted on the en~ forces and the attack was repulsed by 0245 Hrs. In spite of the 6omm, 8:J.mm and artillery concentration, the enemy advanced to within hand grenade range and then abandoned the attack.

Unit Journal The enemy attacked in force, placing their main tltrUst A-2 Entries :/144, against Fox Company po~itions. The attack uas supported 45, 46, 3 by three self-propelled guns, two of which were knocked Sap 50 out by 3. 5 Bazooka teams and the remaining gun withdrelv.

Unit Jotll'nal Entry #53, 3 Sep 50

- - ---

- -- --

The attack was repulsed by 0700. A group of enemy infiltrated bet~een the 2d and 3d platoons of Fox Company and reached a rice paddy near .the Bat~.alion Command Post. They -vrere pinned down by machine gun fire until daylight, at which time 73 of the en~ were captured. The prisoners vJere identified. as membe:c·s of the 6th Regiment, 2d HKPA Division. In launching the attack the enemy drove a 2t ton truck through a 2d Battalion mine field, to clear a path for the self-propelled guns.

The Commanding Officer of the 2d Battalion reported that A-2 en~ had infiltrated all around his position and that there were an estimated 2 battalions t~ his front.

George Company, Hhich hfld rejoined the 2d Battalion, moved iuto pos~tion on the right of Easy Company.

.A-2

An air strike on enemy positions, utilizing napalm bombs, A-2 Has successfv~~!y executed near the Easy Company position.

Signature: .11;1..8~~(/J/j. S E C R E T Page 36

Korean W

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-00300084

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EIITRY NO.

44

45

46

~.7

48

49

50

TIHE OF .ACTION

2316 Hrs 4 Sep 50.

0200 Hrs 5 Sep 50

0600 Hrs 5 Sep 50

0915 Hrs 5 Sep 50

0932 Hrs 5 Sep 50

1155 Hrs 5 Sep 50

SECRET

HEADQUARTERS, 23D INF .AN TRY REGIMENT

!i£:R D I.ARY

TllfE RECORDED

2316 Hrs ·4 Sep 50

0200 Hrs 5 Sep 50

0600 Hrs 5 Sep 50

0915 Hrs 5 Sep 50

AUTHORITY

Unit Journal Entry /!18, 5 Sep 50

-----


Unit Journal Entries #f.IJ & 42, 5 Sep 50

0932 Hrs Unit Journal 5 Sep 50 Entry #44, 5

Sep 50

1155 Hrs - - - - -5 Sep 50

ACTION REF. NO •

Fox and Easy Companies Here attacked by approximate- .A-2 ly one battalion of enemy supported by ta~~s. •

Enemy in company strength, struck at the 1st and 2d A-2 platoons of Baker Company. The attack was repelled by 0600 Hrs. and by 0700 Hrs. small groups of enemy which had infiltrated Baker Company positions 1.vere mopped up.

Enemy attacks forced Fox Company to drop back 100 .A-2 yards and caused small breaks in the lines of Easy and George Companies; communications during the period v1ere destroyed.

The enemy committed approximately one regiment in re- .A-2 neHed attacks against Easy and Fox Companies.

Able Company shifted to the right to relieve Fox .A-2 Company of a portion of its sector, as Fox Company was widely spread and·under extreme pressure. This action enabled Fox Company to contact Easy Company and close the gap between the tv10 companies.

The enemy attack 1-1as finally beaten off.

Signature: 11~ ~~J:f; "(~ tj

The remainder of the day I.Jas spent in improvement of li-2 positions and resupply, 4.2 mortar a~nunition had become critically short.

SECRET Page 38

Korean W

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-00300085

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51

52

53

54

55

56

TDfE OF ACTION

1940 Hrs 5, Sep 50

2140 Hrs · 5 Sep 50

2305 Hrs 5 Sep 50

0400 Hrs 6 Sep 50

0510 Hrs 6 Sep 50

SECRET

HEiiDQUARTERS, 23D INFMITRY REGD1ENT

Tll"~ RECORDED

1940 Hrs 5 Sep 50

2140 Hrs 5 Sep 50

2305 Hrs 5 Sep ·50

0400 Hrs 6 Sep 50

AUTHORITY



Unit Journal E.ntry #17, 6 Sep 50

Unit Journal Entry t¥25, 6 Sep 50

Unit Journal Entry #42, 6 Se~9 50

0510 Hrs Unit Journal 6 Sep 50 Entry-#44, 6

s~ ~

kUlli ~

ACTION REF. ~

Fifty men from Service CompaQY were committed in the A-2 Regimental perimeter.

King Company, 38th Infantry, was attached to the 23d A-2 as a reserve company.

Interrogation of prisoners revealed that the 15th.and A-2 17th Regiments of the NKPA were among units attacking the 23d positions.

The 2d Battalion was subjected to heavy enemy self- A-2 propelled fire.

Able Company was attacked by ap~Jroximately one batta- A-2 lion of enemy. The attack 1.rc-s preceded by a very heaV'.f mortar concentration. Fifty enenry were killed and an. enenrJ Anti-Tank Gu.c"l and enE:my docmnents 1-1ere captured during the engagement, vlhich continued until 0700 Hrs. Able Company's casualties were, 2 Kill.; 7vTU. (Auth. Unit Journal Entry #50, 6 Sep 50). An enenr.r prisoner, identified the attackers as members of the 8th Com1,,an:r, 6th Regiment, 2d Division, NKPA.

The enemy attempted to penetrate between Easy and Fox A-2 Companies.

Signature: tJtJJd-~~ b~ 4 SECRET

Page 39

Korean W

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-00300086

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57 0545 Hrs 0545 Hrs 6 Sep 50 • 6 Sep 50

5S OS45 Hrs OS/+5 Hrs 6 Sep 50 6 Sep 50

59 lOOS Hrs 1008 Hrs 6 Sep 50 6 Sep 50

SECRET

HEADQUARTERS, 23D INFANTRY REGThf.ENT

lU1R DIARY_

AUTHORITY


Unit Journal Bntr-.r //5S, 6 Sep 50


ACTION R8F. llih..

Slight penetration betueen .Able ·and Fox Com- P.-2 panies -vras re:?orted by the Commanding Officer of the 2d 3attalion.

The Regimental Conunander issued an attack-order A-2 in substance as follm.Js : nEnenry forces to the front . of the 23d Infantry Regiment. are-~jestimated -to be elements of three Infantry Regiments; the 4th, 5th and 6th of the NKPA 2d Division, 1vith a mortar regiment attached. Their orders are to hold their present positions at all costs. The 23d Infantry will attack and secure the high ground at 44.2-98.3, 44.1-99.1 and 44.1-97.8 (three colDJ;mnding ground terrain features, to the 23d Infantry f'ront). The line of departure Hill be from present positions, with the 37th Field Artillery i.11 direct su~•port and Heavy Hortar Company in general sup;_-,ort. The time of the attack -is 1030 Hrs."

The Commanding Off'icer or' the 2d Battalion re- A-2 quested that the attack be delayed 30 minutes, because-of difficulties encountered in maneuver-ing the 2d Battalion into position for the Jm~p-Off. His request was approved and all units concerned ivere notified. (Auth. Unit Journal Entries #72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 6 Sep 50)

60 1103 Hrs 1103 Hrs Unit_ Journal The Attack jumped off. A-2 6 Sep 50 6 Sep 50 Entry #81, 6

Sep 50

Signature: 'Jil~q~t:J;~-c-~4 SECRET

Page /jJ

Korean W

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-00300087

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ENTRY TINE OF NO. ACTION -61 1355 Hrs

6 Sep 50

62 1850 Hrs 6 Sep 50

63 1937 Hrs 6 Sep 50

64 2010 Hrs 6 Sep 50

SECRET

HE.l.IDQUARTERS, -23D INFANTRY REGH:1ENT

TINE RECORDED . AUTHORITY

1355 Hrs Unit Journal 6 Sep 50 Entry #126,

6 Sep 50

1850 Hrs Unit Journal 6 Sep 50 Entr.r #12, 7

Sep 50


Sep 50


Sep 50

ivAR DIARY

ACTION REF. 1m.:_

All.companies reeched their objective by 1355 Hrs. A-2 Fox and Able Companies encountered extremely heavy resistance and suffered hear.r casualties. Jl1ore than once intense enemy mortar fire forced the companies to pull back·until com1ter-battery could silence the mortars. Able Company suffered 60 casualties in this action. ·George Company •·ras. -unable to attack until 1120 Hrs. due to an intense barrage of self-propelled and automatic weapons fire. Najar John Callum, Regimental S-2, was killed by enemy artillery fire, i·lhile manning an observation post. George Company 111as ordered to continue the.attack, in order to gain control of a corQ.manding ridge to its front. The objective Has secured at 1600 Ilrs.

George Company Has hit by a heavy enemy counterattack A-2 and forced back to a ridge immediately to their rear.

An air strike during the afternoon, destroyed 15 A-2 enemy field pieces, 10 armored trucks and approxi-mately 500 enemy troops.

The Regimental Commander reported to the Commanding A-2 Ge:1eral of the 2d Division, that, the attr.ck had im-proved our positions, ht>uever, the Regiment had suf-fered many casualties. During the remainder of the period the regimental positions Here heavily shelled but the enemy did not resume the attack.

SECRET

Signature: 11 ~ q"lfAt ~no,'b I" J...t Page 41

Korean W

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-00300088

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EN'l'RY NO.

65

66

67

68

69

70

71

SECRET

HEADQUARTERS, 23D INF iN TRY REGTiv1ENT

HAR DIARY

TINE OF ACTION

1346 Hrs 7 Sep 50

1500 Hrs 7 Sep 50

1500 Hrs 7 Sep 50

1521 Hrs 7 Sep 50

1709 Hrs 7 Sep 50

TTh:lE RECORDED

1346 Hrs 7 Sep 50

1500 Hrs 7 Sep 50

1500 Hrs 7 Sep 50

1521 Hrs 7 Sep 50

1709 Hrs 7 Sep 50

J1 Ul'HORITY

Unit Jom·nal Entr.r //113', 7 Sep 50





1728 Hrs 1728 Hrs Unit Journal 7 Sep 50 7 Sep 50 Entries //154

& 155, 7 Sep 50

REF. ACTION ND.

The morning of 7 September vias qrciet, except for A-2 'occasional 'enemy mortar end self-propelled gun fire. This fire I·Jas Hell placed and it Has evident that enemy observation of the area '\.Jas excellent. .The 1st Battalion sent aggressive patrols to its front and a contact patrol to George Company, 9th Infantry, 2500 yards aHay.

The Regiment received 374 ROK Army personnel for use A-2 as replacements.

George Co~pa~r juoped-off at 1440 Hrs. in an attack A-2 to secure a commanding ridge to its front.

George Company reached its initial objective 1-.rithout A-2 resistance at 1445 Hrs.

George Company reached its final objective without A-2 resistance and could observe the enemy upon a ridge 800 yards to the front.

The Regimental Co:rr.anand Post 11as subjected to extreme- A-2 ly heov-.r shelling from a :self-propelled gun.

The location of the self-propelled gun Has reported A-2 to the 37th Field Artiller>J Battalion and it was silenced by counter-battery.

Sit;nature: 1t'!f~ lJ;(hQ,c .~, N S E C .R E T Page 42

Korean W

ar Project 2ID

-00300089

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ErJ1'RY NO.

72

73

74

77

TINE OF ll.CTION

0021 Hrs 8 Sep 50

0039 Hrs 8 Sep 50

0330 Hrs 8 Sep 50

TD-ffi: RECORDED

0021 Hrs 8 Sep 50

0039 Hr.s 8 Sep 50

0330 Hrs 8 Sep 50

SECRET r·

HEJillQUARTERS, 23D _ INF A~ TRY. REGD1ENT

AUTHORITY

Unit Journal Entries #145, 7 Sep 50 & #14, 8 Sep 50

Unit Journal Entries !135 & 36 ('1. Sen

' u -50

Unit Journal Entries #39 & 40, 8 Sep 50

Unit Journal Entr.f #43, 8 Sep 50

Unit Journal Entr-.1 7'52, 8 3ep 50

Unit Jotu,nal :t~ntr,y- #5q, 8 Se:::> 50

UAR DH.RY:

ACTION fu.."""'F. EQ:._

During the afternoon and evening a heavy buildup of A-2 enemy troops in the 23d sector, was observed. Artillery concentrations were placed upon known and suspected enemy assembly areas. An air strike H'as not available due to unfavorable Heather conditions. Plans

for interdiction and harassing fires v1ere completed.

The 1st Battalion sector came under enemy mortar and A-2 self-propelled &~ fire.

The 1st and 2d Battalions Here both receiving enemy A-2 mortar fire.

Fox and George Companies i.Jere receiving small arms A-2 fire. A he aV".f enem;:l bui1d up was continuing.

The eneny launched a heavy attack against Fox and 11-2 l1ble /Companies. The attack was strongly supported by Artillery, Self-propelled and Mortar fire and some enenv succee~'ed in i:-~fi1trating Fox Co;npany. positions.

The enemy continued the infiltration of Fox Cornlxmy - A-2 positions. No reserve unit being available a platoon was taken out of the line in the Able Company sector 1. an:i committed in the Fox Company sector. This ac.tion successfully closed the gal) in the Fox Co:.:pany lJ.n~.

Signature: vyt;k~~JJr}P,~/.1 It is probable that 2 battalions of enenrj Here comm~tted in this attack.

SECRET Page 43

Korean W

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-00300090

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3:TTRY NO.

78

79

80

81

82

83

TD-18 OF .~;C'riON

0226 Hrs 8 Sep 50

0523 Hrs 8 Sep 50

0710 Hrs 8 Sr:p 50

0852 Hrs 8 Sep 50

1030 Hrs 8 Se~J 50

1045 Hrs 8 Sep 50

SECRET

HEi:.DQUA.1't(.TERS, 23D B'Fi'l3TRY RSGD-:IEIJT

'l'Il-S P..ECORDED

0226 Hrs 8 Sep 50

0523 Hrs 3 Sep 50

AUTHORITY

-----

Unit Journal :LntiJ' l~65, 8 Sep 50

0710 Hrs Unit Journal S Sep 50 T~ntr;:r i/72, 8

Sep 50

0852 Hrs Unit Jow.~nal 8 ::>e - 50 Entry li88, 8

Sep 50

1030 Hrs 8 3ep 50

1045 IIrs 8 .Sep 50

Unit Journal :Sntry l/98, 8 i3ep 50

Unit J om~:lal ZntrJ ;7100, S Sep 50

HJ.,R DIARY

R~F. J~,CTION ·.rf'l

~

Shortly after the attack on .Able and Fox Companies J;-2 began the enemy attacked Easy and George Company positions. The attack Has in company strength in each sector, end Has supported by inte:1se self-propelled and artillery fire. The attEick continued for several hours.

Baker Cor:pa:;y H"S attocked by approxinwtely one battn- .A-2 tion of enemy. The a·ctacl: vr s rep;;~sed :Jy n700 Ers., but sr::all groups of e::Jer.1y manazed to infiltrcte the pos i tio:1s .

'l'he enemy attGck bega:1 to subside in tho Georce Co:::- l!-2 _pany sector end there uas sor.1e sisns of withdraHal.

i'.ble · a~1d =laker CompDnies hec com)leted the mo~)pinc;u~~' of small grou:)s of enem;r ~cJithin and ;Jehind their positio11s at tJ1is tir.le.

A-2

The situat::_on throughout t~1e Re;:;:L111entc:l sector Has L-2 stabi1 ized e:1d aggressive ~x:otrols Hent o'.lt to the fro~:t.

The 2d Dattajio:1 -,.Jc.:; ordered to r:;lease to the 1st L-2 Jattalion, the plotoon of Able Compe•1y, 1;1hic:1 hsf bee::-1 novcd to the Fox Co:~rr:Jany sector. The re::L<.l inder of the day ~·T2s cor:1p2ratiYely quiet. Positions uere rcors~~:,1ized and all )Ossible ste?s take:1 to prepare for further enemy attacks. It 1>12s reported (Unit Journal ·3ntr;>r }6, o ceD '-0) 'l-h"-'" ·~'1 e~t-~,.,.,.,ted 2~'C· enem-r -;~,u-'" n·'-+..,,-.l- -~11"' / \-) .J.. _/! J C< V ClJ. ,::;. ..J...J.!.I.v. ' J.O.o.t.\ ~· V ~:.1..<. C• l1V(..1._..;:.. lJ .._..

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-00300091

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84

r.~

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86

87

88

89

Tll-::E OF LCTIO:c --Cont'd

0330 I-i1~s

9 Sep 50

0335 Hrs ; Sep 50

0404 Hrs 9 3ep 50

0730 Hrs 9 3ep y·

1101 Hrs 0 Sep 50

SECRI;T

:I~~JJJQUAR'I'BF.S, 23D rJF.:J:JTRY REGHJ_:;NT

Tll~Z

RECOP.DED

0330 rtrs 9 Sep 50

0335 Hrs 9 Sep 50

040/+ Ers c: ~ A1' .)r.o

/ ,_) ,~ .. :.:'

J,UTHORITY

Unit Journal Entr.r /!34-, 9 Sep 50

Unit Jom·nal Entrf //36, 9 Sep 50

~r1tr:r il3G, Sep 50

0730 ~Irs - - - - -9 Se:) 50

llOl Hrs Unit Journal - ~" ~ t n7o q o .s ep J , l:Jn ry ;; , ,

H.LR DIJ..RY

LCTICIJ R~F.

:·Jo.

}'~ec:i..mental position duri:1.g tl1e :1ight. .A small of SlT!all erms fire in front of Fox Corrroany and CoJT.c:t)any at 2255 Hrs, (Luth. Unit Jom·n~l Entr.r Sep 50) failed to develop into a'1 attack.

The remainder of the period Hes quiet,

8l110lL'1t

Geor"'e 1117 0 q II ' /

Li;ht probing o-:-.t2cl~s, pro:Jably by patrols, Here reported i:1 l\ble, Baker, Fox :· nd Geor:;-e Company sectors,

.P.-2

L-2

!Jaker Company viES subjected to several fierce li:Jn;~zoilf L-2 attacks.

'i'he eneray 1:1e.s atteckin:· l~ble and 3aker Companies. The J.;-2 attacl<: Has contained, and oy 0600 IIrs, enemy fire ':!o.s sporadic, even thon;:;h some pockets of e11erry renai~1ed in front of 1st Jattdio:~ position,

Fox Company \.Jas attacked by a tt sleepern force Hhich had infiltrated to a :)osition to the imr:1ediate front, £Jnd a fierce hnnd c;renade :Ja-~th· folloHed. THo selfpropelloC cuns c:t a:~~proximately 30C yards inflicted heev.r casualties on Fox Com})BlF. Durin.:; the attack the enemy r,wde an unsuccessful tt:Ganzai11 c!1[lrge on Fox Company; conctu-rently a similar attack Hcs made o;ainst Georce CoL_lxmy. The attack ;J£Js repulsed b.c 112G Hrs.

Fifteen men fron ]eadquarters and Headquarters Company moved to Fox Com)any to fill a gap in their line.

1;-2

1~-2

Signature:

' Sep 50

'11-d. f~/..:lr~ SECRET Page 45

Korean W

ar Project 2ID

-00300092

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E1IT'RY __.NQ:_

90

01 --92

93

94

95

96

TTI{ill 01<' LC'riON

1150 Hrs 9 Sep 50

1155 Hrs 9 Sep 50

1206 Hrs 9 Sep 50

1237 Hrs 9 Sep 50

0235 Hrs 10 Sep 50

0515 Hrs 10 Sep 50

Tll·1E P.ECOP.DED

1150 Hrs 9 Sep 50

1155 Hrs 9 Sep 50

1206 Hrs 9 Sep 50

1237 Hrs 9 .Sep 50

0235 Hrs 10 Sep 50

0515 Hrs 10 Sep 50

' I I

SECRET

HE.AD QUARTERS~ 23D INF RJ TRY REG DiE NT

1:L4E lll1ill!

.AUTHORITY

Unit Journal Entry i¥71:., 9 Sep 50

Unit Journal ,.,. t 117- 9 l!.in"rJ'll), Sep 50

Unit Journal 1_,"1 t ./l-~o a .c..n ry "o , " Sep 50

Unit Journal Entry ;i85, 9 Sep 50

Unit Journal Entry //32, 9 Sep 50

Unit Journal Entry !lJS q

•I ' "

Sep 50

]=>~.

.ACTION li9.:_

A light enemy attack against George Company 1 s ;_->osition Has quickly repulsed •

Regiment made an urgent request for air support and re!)Orted tho".:; conditions Here ideal for an air strike.

J:l-2

1~-2

The request for air s·Li.pport Has repeated and al)proxi- .A-2 mately 2 battalions of enemy i.JGl~e reported in front of the 2d 3attdion positions.

The Commandine; Officer of the 2d Bottalion, reported J;-2 thet the ettack during the norning hsd involved a::Jprox:iJnately 750 enemy find described his situntion as critical.

Tho remco.inder of the dav was comm:>rCJtively auiet. A-2 v • ~

::~nenr.r troop l7lovements to the front ·1r1ero constant but no attocks came in the 23d Infantry sector. Successful air strikes Here conducted during the afternoon and heav.r casualties uere inflicted on the enemy.

The lst Battalion observed ereen flares being fired by £~ble Company. Charlie Co:-:pan7 reports activity to their front Hhich seems to be 60nnn mortars, hO\,rever, no fire landed on our units.

Fox Company WES notified that flsres iwre beine; fired into Able Company's }JOsition.

1-..-2

A-2

Signature: S E C '11:.-t~~/ 1:,1-4

RET Page 46

Korean W

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-00300093

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'l'I?S OF i,CTIOTT

0025 Firs 10 Se) 50

0545 Hrs 10 Sep 50

1000 £Irs ~10 Sop 5·J

1115 Hrs 10 Sep 50

14.30 Hrs 10 Sep 50

:J:SCRET

HEADQU,·~2:TERS, 2.3D INF"~ITTRY Rl~GI: ·:;:;n-T

~!LR DERY

TTI·3 Iel:t. :P..ECORDED

0025 Hrs 10 Sep 50

0545 !-irs 10 Sep 50

1000 Hrs 10 Se~J 50

1115 Hrs 10 Sep 50

11+30 I-Irs 10 3ep 50

f.UTHORITY -Unit Journa1 '8ntr<.r A?27, 9 Sep 50

Unit Jot:trnal Entr<.r l/39: 9 :3ep 50

t.bit Journal :.;:;~try· ,',.~::;::; 9 -· . """'' 3Gl) )C

Unit Journal :=n try iF66, 9 3ep 50

ACTION' :;o. -Divarty 8~3 ~;lens to cive the 23d an oir strike to-- J.-2 dey. Tl1e s~wri}:e ~v;ill stert in close and. t-tor]{ to lcrger targots, west.

'I'he Regimentc:l Command Post receiving self-propelled L-2 gun fire, ?rom the ·front of ?ox Company.

J.i lJe.troJ_ of one :;Jlatoon lc:ft Georse GoTill)O.ny to dc~~er- L-2 :rd;1e the enemy's strGncth: location oncJ possible futcu··s cction. T'1eir seco:·\do17 mission w:.s to recover t11o body of o~1G J~rw --rict111 solc:ier c~l1C~: one ho3VJ rnt:cl1i11e c;tm. i\t 1020 Hr,s. they 11ere reported as :Jei1:c; on the obj~ ctive, uhere they soH a~)}:Jrmdmately 60 ener.w troops ;:mo en e:c'\ditionc::1 1000, in the vici:1ity of Taec~i-Ri (Lr2.0-?:'. C). The Com;aandbg Officer of George Coi.lpany sent a 57mm ~ec· illess !1ifle to the, patrol and had crtiller-.;r concentrutions firGd Lrto the re~Jorted orea. At 1225 IIrs. t!1c :Jotrol moved to;Jcrd its fbol o1Jjec-tive [::1d -\-J:_.s i"'orced to resort to l1.snd ;·rena0es to cloc-,r the enemy. ;.t 12.1'+5 Hrs. the patrol rett1rned after rGcoverinc; th8 dead bor;y, one ;Ja:3ooka, three ~~.LR 1 s, one horyy mschine Gtm and sever?l rifles.

.. :.n air stril;:G '.Je-.c: cor,:~Jletec 0:.1 en~':;F forces i:1 front, of tl1e 2c.,_ Jr:tt:Jlion.

Ileport of an :=asy Co7:::_,cny patrol uhich '.lent out at 1300 Hrs. Has as follm;s: They co:1kctecl the ener:uy in front of George ComT'alJY and coo.1tLmed into Fonc:h 1 o, uhere tl1ey fOlLl'ld 3:.J to L:.O oecd ene:my.

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Korean W

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-00300094

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104

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106

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TTI<E OF iiCTimJ

1750 Hrs 10 Se·:) 5G

1750 Hrs 10 Sep 50

2215 Hrs 10 Se:/ '50

0330 Hrs 11 Sep 50

0515 Hrs ll ·3ep 50

0600 HtlS 11 3ep 50

TII·:E R8COHDED

1750 Hrs 10 Sep 50

1750 Hrs 10 S.sp 50

2215 Hrs 10 ;3er) 5""'

0330 I-Irs 11 .Sep 50

0515 Hrs 11 Sep 50

0600 Hrs 11 Dep 50

S E C R ~ T

HE.:mQUAR.TERS, 23D DTFAlfl'RY P:.EGTI-:SNT

.LUTHORITY

Unit Journal Entry- ]93, 9 .Sep 50

Unit Jom•nal Entry ~!94, 9 Sep 50

Unit Jo:U'naJ 7"\,-J·.I'T'iT J~'Jl • .J •. ..:. v CJ •• t-- '

10 Sep 50·

Unit Journal :8ntrv ,'!60

"' ., ' 10 :-;ep 50

U;.1it Journal Entry }65 10 Sep 50

tli!1l DIARY

.:,CTION

linti-nircro.:~t 1:1as firing into the hills to our rear, Hhich are believ:'!d to be the Command ?ost :for enerey guerrillas, harassing rear areas •

An air strike H8S completed in the 2d Bstt[lion area and they c,ro nmJ mvaiting more air su:;:)ort.

f'J:li'. :;o.

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The enemy opened Wl -;;ith uhat seemecl to be evo:r.r fc-2 field piece, Self-pro:!_:lelled, Hort2r and 1:.nti-'l'r::nl: Gill1 he hGct. The .barra[;e \JI?:S terrific, landing On the Regimental Command Post, 1st and 2d Jattalio~1s of the 23d and the 2d :Sattalions of the 9th .:md 38th. :Umnage l"clS sm1:~)risinely light. Durin~:; tho barrage at'proxirJ.ately 100 one:nq attocked George Cor:·;pacy of the 9th InfEont:ry-, b-et ·,rithdreH 25 minutes later. (.Auth. Unit Journal Entr,y #23, 10 Sep 50)

All units of the 2d 3attaL.on uere re·-,orted under b- 1~-2

tense mortar, self'-~)ropelled al1'3. smr:-11 arms fire. In order to Hard off a possible enemy attack, all friend--ly artillc)ry anCJ nortor fire -v1o.s concentrated to the front of the 2d Bcttalion.

Georce Com}Jsny w s a :~to clced by enemy infant:r.r. 1~-2

T)le enemy made a 11 Banzai11 attack on l~ox Cowpacy posi- ::-2 tions, but Has stopped 1-!ith hand grenades, 60 and 8llm1: mortar and artillery fi-,e. Once ogain, Fox Cor1pany 1 s mortar section played a very important role in stopping

Signature: 11~1~ 1-.:lt.Ju., c~4T Page 48

Korean W

ar Project 2ID

-00300095

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E:·,ITRY ?fO.

107

108

109

110

111

112

'l'll-:lE OF J:.CTION

Cont 1d

0900 Hrs ll 3e~' 50

1112 lirs ll 3ep 50

1815 Hrs ll Sep 50

2020 Hrs 11 3ep 50

TTI~8

P..ECORDTID

SECRET

HE.iillQU;:RTEPS, 2.3 IIJFl.I'ITRY R.'SGD:LC~·JT

'Ji~R DILRY

.P. UTHORITY ACTION REF. ~

an attack, placing 60I:'.Jn nortar fire 1..rithin 10 feet "1-2

0900 Hrs l1 Sep 50

1112 iirs 11 c3ep 50

U::1i t Jov . .rnal :Sntry ;;E?5, 10 ,'Jep 50·

Unit Journal T:Gntl-rrJ" jf$1, 10 ,se~~ 50

1815 Hrs ·Unit Jom~n[l 11 Se~~· 50 Ent1'"¥y ;~f2, 11

Sep 50

2020 ~Irs Unit Jo1..1.rna1 11 3e~; 50 I:ntry §2.3,

12 Sep 50

of Fox Com;_Jen;;r 1 s position, \lith deadly effect of the enemy. The attacks against Fox ano George Cornpanies Here repulsed by 0645 ]rs. The enemy, estimated to be .350 men, changed to civilian clothes durinG the att2ck.

7he 2d Betta ion received an air str·i'ce ~ Hhich Has completed at 0920 Hrs.

General Bradley visited the Regimental Com.:.-:1and Post on6 Has briefed by the Reg.iner::.tcl Commander.

Captain Co1:er Has relieved r.s Lssistant S-.3 of the lst Batts lion 'Jy 1st Lieutenant Lynn J\. Freerwn. C[l:;tDb Coker Has assigned to duty as .S-2 of the " . ' 1,egJ.i":1.en-c.

L re~')ort of en enen:;;r ;=:-rou1_::· to the left ree.r of the 2.3d ;ns confirned by 2 P./ 1 s. .4. concentrct.ion of Brtillerv -,-:es Directed or1 a small vil:' a?e. Hhich 1-n;s

" w ' a likely cssembly point.

The following report w s obtained from a PJ: ttHe hsd beei1 a]pointed a Sattelion Com.'"'l~~ndor only yesterday. Their r(::g:iments have 300 men, ;.;ith 100 men per battolion. The enemy orde::·E for toniGht are: To att:: ck Changnyonc; at 2400 Hrs. The signal f.or the attack is a lighted :)a per, held over hoad. 11

i\-2

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Korean W

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-00300096

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EN'l'RY TTI-1E OF TTI>ffi :·JO. ./~CTICN P..LCORDED

113 2305 Hrs 2305 Hrs 11 Sep 50 11 Sep 50

114 Cl05 Hrs 0105 Hrs 12 Sep 50 12 Sep 50

115 0150 Hrs 0150 Hrs 12 Sep 50 12 Sep 50

116 071:'' Hrs 0710 II:rs 12 Sep 50 12 Sep 50

117 0730 Hrs 0730 Hrs 12 Sep 50 12. Sep 50

118 1115 Hrs 1115 Hrs 12 Sep 50 12 Sep 50

119, 1155 Hrs 1155 Hrs 12 Sep 50 12 Sep 50

S E C R E T

HE.inQUARTERS, 23D INFJ.ii'JTRY REGIHENT

l>UTHORITY

Unit Journal Entry ;¥39, 12 Sep 50

Unit Journal Entr-J ~-!43, 12 :3ep 50

Unit Journal Entry /t44, 12 Sep 50

Unit Journal EntrJ ,:554, 12 Sep 50

Unit Journal Entr.r 7~155, 12 Sep 50

Unit Journal .,.,. .L ' 178 i:!.nvry rt ,

12 Sep 50

Unit Journal T'! J. "8~ .wnury if 'J, 12 Sep 50

\JLR DIARY

REF. i;CTIOH :·JO.

A light attack against Easy Company, preceded by A-2 heavy r1ortar fire was repulsed by 2310; hm-Jever, sporadic mortar fire continued.

Fox Company c~r:Jtured a ~Jorth Korean priscner i·tho L-2 steted, thet there ·.1ere t;..ro plctoons in front of Fox Company. He stated :::lso that many Harth Koreans Here dest-n··ting fro;fl their units. bt about this time the enemy set ur) a public address s:,rstem in front of Fox Cor:1prmy area; it 1-J<::S quietea by a Fox Coml)any mortar.

The 2d Battalion reported that the tele?hone linss A-2 to one company and to the S-2 1,1ere te.pped by the enem~r.

The 23d Infentr.r \.Jas nctified that a Tactical "Ur 11-2 Control Party Hss being brought to the 23d Command Post.

George Company began a limited objective attack, A-2 Hith the mission of seizinr the hill !1orth of Panch' o, and reached its first objective by 0937. Fifteen enemy ·were killed during the action.

The firi>t air strike of the d8y knocked out two 1;-2 self-popelled guns.

Three more enemy gun positions ·,.;ere located ~md re- i\-2 ported fo:t the next air strike~

S E C R E T Si:;neture: '"U~ ~~JJr~, b-yf-rf../ P8ge 50

Korean W

ar Project 2ID

-00300097

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120

121

122

12.3

124

125

Tll.f8 OF ACTION

1245 Hrs 12 Sep 50

1320 Hrs 12 Sep 50

1410 Hrs 12 Sep 50

1418 Hrs 12 Sep 50

1525 :Irs 12 Sep 50

1755 ~rs 12 3ep 50

TTI!E RECOHDED

1245 Hrs 12 Sep 50

1.320 Hrs 12 Sep 50

1410 Hrs 12 Sep 50

11;~8 Hrs 12 Sep 50

1525 Hrs 12 ,Sep 50

1755 Hrs 12 .3ep 50

SECRET

HEl;DQm.RTER$, 2.3D INFJ1NTRY REGD'IENT

AUTHORITY


Unit Journal "'n-~-r;J fl9o .w.v if /1

12 Sep 50

Unit Journal "'ntr;J Jloo -'-" iT;; 7' 12 Sep 50··

Unit Journal 3nt r-;1 f/10 .3 , 12 Sep 50

Unit J01..1.rna1 Entry #112, 12 Sep 50

Unit ,Journal Entries Jtl25 anc1 126, 12 Se:~J 50

ll.'lR DLlRY

ACTION

.A::1.other air strike coming in. Four F-51 1 .s £it tacking target.

The 2d BattEJlion Hes instructed to mark tare;Gt for another air strllce.

REF • NO.

.A-2

A-;z

The 9th Regi.'Tlenta1 Combat Team re1)orted 100 ene..'ey" 11-2 on a ridge northeast of Hill 1.35. (To the rear of our lines)

A pntrol 11ss dispatched from Headqm'rt:c::"s and Head- 1:-2 o.uarters Com~')eny to rout the ei.1einy on the ridge northeast of lJiE 1.35. The patrol 1Jecan:e e:1c;ae;ed and Hes able to get 8rtillel"J concentrations on enemy :0ositions, ceusing hccvy ene:r..y c.::suel ties. The patrol returned to the Command Post ot 1835 Hrs. The enemy ~~osition 1~ss irJ:acdictely in front of Charlie Compar..y, 9th Infe!1h"Y.

Sergec,nt Grahar:; of ClKrlie Co:':'JE:D;'l _. stecgered into our lines EJftcr being 12 clays behind the ene:m;r lines. Sergeant Grahmn h<d bee;J ·. rcunced on 1 Septenb~r. He 11os lntcr oy&curted to the U.S,J;.

Tuo more successful Dir strikes cTere ploced in the Tie.zirnental S '2Ctor.

SECRET

.L-2

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Sienature: 1t ~~ ~~ r ~q Page 51

Korean W

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-00300098

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126

127

128

129

130

Tll£ OF LCTION

1945 Hrs 12 Sep 50

2052 Hrs 12 Sop 50

2355 Hrs 12 Sep 50

Tif.E RECORDED

1945 Hrs 12 Sep 50

2052 H1~s 12 Sep 50

2355 Hrs 12 Sep 50

3 B C R E T

IBJIDCXO-';RTii:RS, 23D IlJFli;ITRY Rl:GI!iCNT

J:..UTHORITY

Unit Journal _, t ./!.1~ .i.!Jl1 ry lt ~,

13 Sep 50

Unit. Journel Entr-.r #34, 13 3ep 50

Unit Journal Entry l146, 13 Sep 50

Unit Journal Entry- ;?56, 13 Sep 50

Unit Journal T'n•·r:y -'ll' .W~ v if '+' 13 .SerJ 50

':JJ~R DERY -----ACTION

l\ Hi st~:;ted t~at Horth Koreans have the mission. of' seizin::: Changnyong ni;:;htly and that, al thouzh lTorth Korean soldiers have surrender leaflets, they are afraid to use them.

REF. NO.

.h-2

Tanks e.nd I;-19 J-;-i..A Vehicles, placed harassing fires L-2 on e~1em;y nssembl;;r aress in the hills to the rear of Changnyong.

Harassing fires on enemy .sssembly areas behind A-2 Changnyung, Here repeated.

The perioc1 HDS the ~tdetest since the 23d Infantr:-J J:-2 CJctio;1 in the Chon:znyong sector mgan. .At 0353 Hrs., harassinz fires by ts'lks ond l"> • .AA vehicles ~JGre repeated, on possible enemy ossembly area':". Charlie Co: pa:1;-t suept the ridge north of Hill 135, (to the front of Chorlie Co:-:-,:)m'l,Y, 9th Info:1try) end found r::ost of the ener!I'J in thGt areo had Hith:'~1·mm. On some small hills, uost of Hill 13 5, a bot.·lt 30 enemy i:Jere encountered e "Jd :. fter a 1Jrisk fight: the entire C'·rourJ Hos killed snd/or ca1)tured. four successful 8ir ._, ..... •'·

stri3ces Here co~1ducted during the day.

.At 2100 Hrs. an enem~r patrol hit Fox Com;_-Jany, but i.-2 ~cJPs driven off Hith hand grenades. Sporodic T::ortcr, artillerJ and self-propelled CUll fire fell in the Regimentol positions, throu:;;·hout the day.

SECRET

Signatures: 1{ ~ !'lv.,_ ~ '"-4 c4./ Page 52

Korean W

ar Project 2ID

-00300099

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132

133

134

135

136

TTI-iE OF ACTION

0200 Hrs 14 Sep 50

0835 Hrs 14 Sep 50

0850 Hrs 14 Sep 50

0927 ars 14 Se~' 50

1030 Hrs 14 Sep 50

1320 Hrs 14 Sep 50

TniE RECORDED

0200 Hrs 14 Sep 50

0835 Hrs 14 Sep 50

0850 Hrs 14 Sep 50

0927 Hrs 14 Sep 50

1030 Hrs 14 Sep 50

1320 Hrs 14 Se=J 50

SECRET

IIEJJ.DQUART'BRS, 23D DJFJ,NTRY P..EGD,1ENT

11 UTiiORITY

Unit Journal Entry (/23, 14 Sep 50

Unit Journal "i'ntr·r .1/31 '-" J ;T 1

14 Sep 50

Unit Journal Entr"".f i¥34, 14 Sep 50

Unit Journal Entry #!.!J, 14 Sep 50

Unit Journal Entr>J //41, 14 Sep 50

Unit Journal Entry ·'f50

< I '

14 Sep 50

;,r1;ll DIARY

K~F.

ACTION NO.

A small group of enemy attempting to approach Fox A-2 Company's position W8S discovered H'hen they set off a trip flare. Fox Com'~)an.y threw hand grenades and the enemy \.Jithdrew :irm.1ediately.

An air strike 1n:s placed on enemy positions to the ];-2

Regimental front.

llggressive patrols '.Jere seat out to the Regimental J\-2 Front. A total of si."X" patrols 1.Jent out during the day 1:Jith the general mission of determining enemy strength a11d disposition in the area. One patrol from George Com)t.=ny (Unit Journal Entry li66, 14 Sep 50) hit heevy resistance Dbout 800 yards ~~est of' Ponch'o.

The P..egirnental Commander issu.ed a \.Jarning order for A-2 an attc;ck planned for 16 September,

Aerial reconnaissa·1ce Has begun for the attack. A-2-

Charlie Company was ordered to occupy Hill 125, (to li-2 the left front of the Reg:L'llental position) to re-lieve George Com.l;2ny, ?th Infa.ntr""y" Relief i-Tas accompilished by 1800 Hrs.

S E C R E T

Signature: YJ1~ J 7.wt J.-.ir~ Page 53

Korean W

ar Project 2ID

-00300100

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ENTRY .EQ.:....

137

138

139

1L.D

141

142

SECRET

HEADQUARTERS, 23D INFANTRY REGIMENT

WAR DIARY

TIME OF TIME AC'l'IO~L P..EGORDED AUTHORITY

2300 Hrs 2300 Hrs Unit Journal 14 Sep 50 14 Sep 50 Entry #12,

15 Sep 50

1920 Hrs 1920 Hrs Unit Journal 14 Sep 50 14 Sep 50 Entry 1/6, 15

Sep 50

2335 Hrs 2335 Hrs Unit Journal 14 Sep 50 14 Sep 50 Entries #16

& 17, 15 Sep 50

0600 Hrs 0600 Hrs Unit Journal 15 Se:p 50 15 Sep 50 Entry #36,

15 Sep 50

1305 Hrs 1305 Hrs Unit Journal 15 Sep 50 15 Sep 50 Entry #56, '

15 Sep 50


15 Sep 50

ACTION REF. EQ.:_

A small unit of enemy hit George Compa~, but with- A-2 drew immediately when firecii on.

A patrol consisting of three ROK soldiers was A-2 scheduled to move out at 2000 hrs. This petrol successfully moved behind en~ lines and observed the enemy positions, locateQ gun positions, dis-covered the enemy password, aad picked up other use-ful information.

The ene~ set up a public address system in front A-2 of the Regimental positions. The operator of the sound truck called ·on our men to surrender, named. Sergeants in Easy Compa~, and told the ROK troops that they were being duped by the Americans. The PA system was silenced by artillery and mortar concentrations.

Charlie Company was attackee by approximately twe A-2 enemy platoons, reinforced. The attack was re-pulsed by Charlie Company, which suffered eleven casualtie~ during the action.

Task Force Haynes was dissolved. Task Force Haynes A-2/ had conducted the defense of the Changnyong sector ' since 1 September.

A successful air strike was conducted in the lst A-2 Battalion zone, utilizing the excellent observa-tion afforded by the precarious, but very important,position held b,y Charlie Company.

Signature: 11~J~~~E C RET Pege 54

Korean W

ar Project 2ID

-00300101

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ENTRY NO.

14.3

1.44

145

146

SECRET

HEADQUART:mB, 23D INFANTRY REGIMENT

~~

TIME OF Tn.fE ACTION RECORDED AUTHORITY


15 Sep 50

1520 Hrs 1520 Hrs Unit Jolli'ftal 15 Sep 50 15 Sep 50 Entry #61,

15 Sep 50

1830 Hrs 1830 Hrs Unit Journal 15 Sep 50 15 Sep 50 Entry #5, 16

Sep 50


Sep 50

ACTIOU REF. NO. -

Operations Order 116 issued: The 2.d Battalion would A-2 seize and secure high ground to the front of George Company, at H hour, and that when this objective was secured, the 3d Battalion (returned to Regimental control 15 September} would attack through the 2d Battalion, seize the next Commanding ridge, and be prepared to continued the attack on order. Concur,rently the 1st Battalion was to attack in its zone, secure the high ground to its front, and.be prepared to continue the attack on order. Tank Company, 23i Infantry, was attached to the 2d Battalion, and Charlie Company, 72d Tank Battalion, to the 1st Battalion. Elemellts of Baker ·13attery, 82.d AAA Battalion were attached to each Battalion. The 37th Field Artillery Battalion was to . be in direct support of the Regimental attack, and the 503d Field Artillery Battalion was to be in general support.

Elements of the 3d Battalion began to arrive in the A-2 Regimental Zone.

An air strike to the Regimental Froht destroyed two A-2 enel:\7 SP guns.

King Company was directed to provide local securitT A-2 for the 37th Field Artillery Battalion during the night 15 and d~ 16 September. The 37th Field Artillery Battalion had moved from its original positions near service trains area to a position a short distance to the rear of the Regimental Command Post,

Signature: 11.J.. 9~MI'tQ,b~ 4 in order that it might better support the 23d Infantry

SECRET Page 55

Korean W

ar Project 2ID

-00300102

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ENTRY ~

146

147

148

149

150

TD-m OF TIME ACTION RIDORDED

Cont'i

2136 Hrs 2136 Hrs 15 Sep. 50 15 Sep 50

·2355 Hrs 2355 Hrs 15 Sep 50 15 Sep 50

0045 Hrs 0045 Hrs 16 Sep 50 16 Sep 50

SECRET

HEADQUARTERS, 23D INFANTRY RIDIMENT

WAR DIARY

AUTHORITY




ACTION

attack, planned for 16 September.

REF. ~

The Commanding General, 2d Infantry Division, noti- A-2 fied the Commanding Officer of the 23d Infantry that H hour was tentatively set for 0900 hrs. , 16 September.

The lst Battalion requested that an air strike be A-2 placed on the Baker Company objective at H hour minus 30.

The Commanding General of the 2d Division notified A-2 the Commanding Officer of the 23d Infantr,y Regiment that the United States X Corps had made a successful landing in the vicinit,y of Inchon.


16 Sep 50

The Commanding General of the 24 Infantry Division A-2 not:if"ied the Commanding Of'.ficer of the 23d Infantry that H hour was changed to 0700 bra, 16 September. All units of the 23d Regtmental Combat Team were notified at once (Auth: Unit Journal Entry #42, 16 Sep 50).

151 0207 Hrs 0207 Hrs Unit Journal Charlie Compa~ was attacked b,y what was first esti- A-2 16 Sep 50 16 Sep 50 Entry #44, 45, mated to be a small number of enemy, however, as the

49 & 51, 16 attack developed more troops were committed. At least Sep 50 two en~ companies made a violent assault on the

Charlie Company positions, the attack being supported b,y enemy artillery, mortar and SP gun fire. By 0425 hrs the en~ had penetrated Charlie Company's perimeter, and have hand-to-hand fighting ensued until the enemy wss finally pushed off' the hill. Charlie Company suffered 25 casualties in this action. All of the

.Charlie Company officers were killed. The platoon ;·leader of the attached heavy weapons platoon was killed.

Signature: 11:4~/Jr~ -c.jfl SECRET Page 56

Korean W

ar Project 2ID

-00300103

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152

153

154

155

156

157

SECRET

HEADQUARTERS, 23D INFANTRY RllniMENT

~DIARY

TIME OF TIME REF. ACTION RECORDED AUTHORITY

0650 Hrs 0650 Hrs Unit Journs.l 16 Sep 50 16 Sep 50 Entry #54,

16 Sep 50


16 Sep 50

0753 Hz.s 0753 Hrs Unit Journal 16 Sep 50 16 Sep 50 E!rllry #63,

16 Sep 50


16 Sep 50

0817 Hrs 0817 Hrs Unit Journal 16 Sep 50 16 Sep 50 EniJry' #72,

16Sep 50


16 Sep 50

ACTION ~

Gec:cge Company reached its objective. A-2

The 3d Battalion reported that it would be ready to A-2 cross itS line of departure d 0715 hrs. (The line of departure for the Jd Battalion was the position established by George Company at 0650).

Love Company -was reported to be temporarily held up A-2 by one squad of enemy. By this time Love Company had reached the village of Ponch'o.

Item Company reported, approaching its first objec- A-2 tive.

Aerial observers repcrted en~ leaving their holes A-2 on the objective. An air strike -was needed on the ridge •

Enenw resistance and friendly casualties light. The A-2 1st Battalion attack was progressing well; Charlie Company was reorganized under the Commanding Officer of Able Company.

158 0835 Hrs 0835 Hrs Unit Journal Love Company reached its first objective. Item Com- A-2 16 Sep 50 16 Sep 50 Entry #76,pany approached its first objective.

16 Sep 50

159 0855 Hrs 0855 Hrs Unit Journal The 3d Battalion reached its first objective. 16 Sep 50 16 Sep 50 Entry #7~,

16 Sep 50

./) (/ .. I+- . J~CRET Signature: 11 ~ ';!'~ ~ ~I '(-y.r, ·~v~ Page 57

A-2

Korean W

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-00300104

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160

161

162

163

164

165

166

167

SECRET

HEADQUARTERS, 23d INFANTRY ~IMENT

~DIARY

TIME OF TIME ACTION RECORDED AUTHORITY


16 Sep 50

0955 Hrs 16 Sep 50

0955 Hrs Un:i.t JourneJ. 16 Sep 50 Entr·y 1196,

16Sep 50

1005 Hrs 1005 Hrs Unit Journal 16 Sep 50 16 Sep 50 Entry 1198,

16 Sep 50


16 Sep 50


16 Sep 50


16 Sep 50

ACTION REF. !2:_

The S-3 of the 23rd notified G-3 of the 2d Division, A-2 that the 23d left flank was endangered qy the fact that the enemy continued to occuP,y Hill 201. (A very important terrain feature in the 9th Infantry Zone).

The .3d Battalion reached its objective end ~eras re- A-2 C{:livir~ same machine gw1 and mo::ta:r fire.

Easy Campa~ was attached to the 1st Battalion, in A-2 order to occupy Hill 135.

The 23d was directed to hold Hill 135 (the former &-2 position of Charlie Compa~) and not to advance in that sector until directed to do so by the Command-ing Geheral of the 2d Division.

Item Campa~ reported receiving light resistance. A-2 Love Compa~ had completely overrtUl en en~ mortar position, and was continuing the attaCk. (Unit Jour-nal Entry #109, 16 Sep 50)

The 1st Battalion reached its objective and was re- A-2 ported reorganizing and keeping aggressive patrols to its own front.

1245 Hrs 1245 Hrs Unit Journal Enemy troops withdrawing toward Masuwan. 16 Sep 50 16 Sep 50 Entry #119,

A-2

16 Sep 50

1255 Hrs 1255 Hrs Unit Journal The Regimental Commander directed that 3d Battalion A-2 16 Sap 50 16 Sap 50 Entry #121, to investigate the above report. If found to be ac-J 16 Sap 50 curate, orders were to attack vigorously.

Signature: 11/;,i, ,~A"-! S E C RET Page 58

Korean W

ar Project 2ID

-00300105

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ENTRY TIME OF TIME ~ ACTION giDORDED

168 1400 Hrs 1400 Hrs 16 Sep 50 16 Sep 50

169 1415 Hrs 1415 Hrs 16 Sep 50 16 Sep 50

170 1455 Hrs 1455 Hrs 16 Sep 50 16 Sep 50

.. 171 1543 Hrs 1543 Hrs

16 Sep 50 16 Sep 50

172 1728 Hrs 1728 Hrs 16 Sep 50 16 Sep 50

173 1810 Hrs 1810 Hrs 16 Sep 50 16 Sep 50

174 2034 Hrs 2034 Hrs 16 Sep 50 16 Sep 50

SECRET

HEADQUARTERS, 23d INFANTRY REGIM&NT

~DIARY

AUTHORITY

Unit Jou:rnal Entry #126' 16 Sep 50

Unit Journal Entry #127, 16 _Sep 50






ACTION REF. !2:...

The 3d Battalion reported that Love Company had AG2 reached its 3d objective and that Item Company was moving in on its .3d objective. King Company was moving toward its final objective.

Aerial observer reported that the en~ was with- A-2 drawing en masse to the West. An air strike was immediately placed on the flee1.ns; E;DOOJY.

King Company was instructed to stay East of Maswan, A-2 a village on the Naktong River within the Regimen-tal Zone, and to display panels during the air strike.

The 3d Battalion reached its final objective. A-2

Tanks of the 23d Infantry arrived in the village of Masuwan.

A-2

The 23d Infantry tanks engaged enemf troops attemp- A-2 ting to cross the river in the vicinity of Masuwan.

The Division Commander directed that the 23d Infantry consolidate on its objective and "mop-upn its rear area. He further ordered that no patrols be dispatched across the Naktong River. The remainder of the period was without incident.

A-2

I./)._ tiorET

Signature: 11-k f 14«.~ lw, b ~ r17; Page 59

Korean W

ar Project 2ID

-00300106

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175

.176

rn

SECRET

HEADQUARTERS, 2.3d INFANTRY RmiMENT

~DIARY

TM OF TIME ACTION RECORDED . AUTHORITY

0001 to 0001 to Periodic Re-2400 Hr:J 2400 HI's , port lll.3, 17

17 Sep 50 17 Sep 50 Sep 50

0340 Hrs 0.340 Hrs Unit Journal 18 Sep 50 18 Sep 50 Entry #.30,

18 Sep 50


18 Sep 50

REF. ACTION !?.:...

The period was spent in "mopping-up" the Regimen- B tal Zone and consolidating positions. The etell\Y was observed trying to cross the West bank of the river throughout the day. Many enemy personnel and a good deal of enemy materiel were destroyed. En~ in the Regimental Zone during the attack of 16 September were found to be elements of the 6th and 17th Infantry Regiments, 2d NKPA Division, supported by the 16th Mechanized Brigade, or elements thereof'. Thirteen field artillery pieces, six AT guns, tour mortars, two radios, numerous small arms, and ammunition of all types were captured and evacuated or destroyed. Plans were made f'or patrols to the West bank of the Naktong.

The 2.3d Inf.a ntry was instructed to reconnoiter the A-3 Naktong River line f'or possible crossing sites; to find the en~ through patrol activity; to keep the West bank of the river free of enemy in order to keep small arms f'ire off the river ; and to be pre-pared to cross the river in force on order. Three combat and two reconnaissance patrols were immediate-ly set up and prepared to cross on order. (Auth: Unit Journal Entry #.31, 18 Sep 50).

Two reconnaissance patrols started across the river; A-.3 upon reaching the half-way mark, they came under heavy fire from the West bank of the river. Patrols suffered two casualties while in mid-stream and two

Si€nature: ~~ 1~ ~A(

more upon return to the East bank of the Naktong~ Patrols were pinned down on the beach and were extricated after an air strike was placed upon the enemy. The brilliant and voluntar.y leadership of Captain (Chap) ~chael J. Cariglia, Hq and Hq Company, 23d Infantry,

S E C R E T Page f:IJ

Korean W

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-00300107

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iNTRY NO..:....

177

178

179

180

181

182

SECRET

HEADQUARTERS, 23d INFANTRY REGIMENT

WAR DIARY

TTI>iE OF TDE ACTION RECORDED AUTHORITY

Cont'd

ll.4D Hrs 1140 Hrs Unit Journal 18 Sep 50 18 Sep 50 Entry #59,

18 Sep 50


18 Sep 50

1415 Hrs l.U5 Hrs Unit Journal" 18 Sep 50 18 Sep 50 Entry #70,

18 Sep 50


18 Sep 50

ACTION

was instrumental to the successful extrication of these patrols.

REF. !!h..

Plans were made for the construction of a bridge A-3 across the Naktong, b,y Company B, 2d Engr Batta-lion. (Auth: Unit Journal Entries 36, 42, 56 and 59, 18 Sep 50).

The 2d Battalion was ordered to clear an enemy A-3 pocket in the vicinity of Hill 201. A Task Force consisting of one platoon of tanks, reinforced by Fox Company and one platoon of AAA, under the command of the Executive Officer of the 2d Battalion,

caught the en~ group, approximately 200 in strength, attempting to withdraw to the Naktong, and killed or wounded 170 of them.

Company B, 2d Engr Battalion, captured 25 ene~, L~cluding two officers at the river's edge.

A-3

The 1st Battalion was ordered to relieve the 2d A-3 Battalion on position. The 2d Battalion was order-ed to move into position in order to attack Hill 174 in the 9th Infantry Zone, to facilitate the capture of Hill 201 by the 9th Infantry. King Company w: s ordered to revert to Reg:ilnental Reserve. (Auth: Unit Jounal Jntr,y #86, 18 Sep 50).

During the remainder of the period units were shifted as directed. No unusual events occurred.

SECRET

Signature: ~tt;;gp~~ Page 61

Korean W

ar Project 2ID

-00300108

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18.3

184

185

186

SECRET


WAR DIARY

Tn1E TIME OF ~Q~J]N_ !lECORDllD AUTHORITY ACTION

REF. ~

0800 rii:·s OSOO Hrs Unit Journal 19 Sep _50 19 Sep 50 Entry #41,

19 Sep 50

1335 Hrs 1.3.35 Hrs Unit Journal 19 Sep 50 19 Sep 50 Entry #74,

19 Sep 50

1500 Hrs 1500 Hrs Unit Journal 19 Sep 50 19 Sep 50_ Entry #78,

19 Sep 50

1520 Hrs 1520 Hrs Unit Journal 19 Sap 50 19 Sap 50 Entry #00,

19 Sep 50

The 2d Battalion attack against Hill 174 jumped off \ A-.3 after a ten minute artillery preparation, with Fox ~nd George Companies leading. B,y 0845 hrs, George Company had reached its first objective but Fox Co~ pany 1s advance was delayed by heavy enemy small arms and mortsr fire. After artillery and mortar concentrations were fired, Fox Company was albe to advance and seize its first objective by 0910 brs. Pursuant to orders received from the Division Commm der, no further advance was made until 14.30 hrs at which time Ea~f and George Companies moved out to sieze objectives .3 and 4. King Company, which had been in Regimental reserve, was committed at 1630 hrs. At 1645 hrs Easy Company took objective 3, and at 1730 hrs King and George Companies seized Hill 174. The action was marked by brilliant coordination between the Infantry and supporting tanks. Approximate:cy- 300 ene~ were killed during the action.

The 23d Infantry was alerted for a possible cross- A-3 ing of the Naktong, with the 3d Battalion alerted to be the first Battalion to cross in the event the

'crossing was executed.

The Commanding General directed that Item an:1 love Companies cross the Naktong, with such equipment as was available. ·

A conference was held regarding the projected river crossing with the Commanding General, G-3, Commanding Officer and Staff and Battalion Commanding Officers represented.

A-.3

A-.3

SECRET

Signature: '1f;lJa1~~ Page 62

Korean W

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-00300109

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ENTRY !2..: 187

188

.189

190

191

192

TIME OF TIME

SECRET

HEADQU.ARTERS, 23d INFANTRY REGIMENT

WAR DIARY

ACTION RECORDED AUTHORITY ACTION REF. NO.

1600 Hrs 1600 Hrs Unit Journal 19 Sep 50 19 Sep 50 Ent:r,v #83,

19 Sep 50 •

2a:>O Hrs 2200 Hrs Unit Journal 19 Sep 50 19 Sep 50 Entry #2, 20

Sep 50


Sep 50

0200 Hrs 0200 Hrs Unit Journal 20 Sep :)0 20 Sep 50 Entry #17,

20 Sep 50


20 Sep 50

0330 Hrs 0330 Hrs Unit Journal 20 Sep 50 20 Sep 50 Entry none

20 Sep 50

The 3d Battalion requested six assault craft for the A-3 river crossing.

Operations Order No. 8 directed the 3d Battalion to cross the Naktong •

Assistant G-4 2d Division, notified Regiment, that eight "Duwks" wou1d report to Regijent at 0600,, 20 September.

.A-3

.A-3

The 37th Field .Artillery Battalion was instructed to .A-3 cease harassing. fire on suspected ene~ posit ons West of the Naktong.

The 3d Battalion is to cross the Naktong at 0330. A-3

\ A-3 \

.At 0330 hrs the 3d Battalion began to cross the Naktong. in assault boats. The crossing, which was executed without preparatory fires, met no resistance. By 0435 hrs all of Love Compaqy and most of Item Company had crossed the river. Item and Love Company met only light resistance as they approached the objective. A North Korean Lieutenant Colonel and his staff were found asleep on the Love Company Objective.

193 0600 Hrs 0600 Hrs Unit Journal Item Company completed the crossing at 0527 hrs. .A-3 20 Sep 50 20 Sep 50 Entry #39, (Auth: Unit Journal Entry #36, 20 Sep 50), and the

20 Sep 50 first wave of King and Mike Companies began the 1----JJ , /} (J ~ ~ crossing.

Signature: l'l ~ ( ~ \r~ ~ S E C R E T Page 63

Korean W

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-00300110

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ENTRY _!2.:_

194

195

196

197

198

199

TIME OF THE ACT!Q!L RECORDED

0630 Hrs 0630 Hrs 20 Sep 50 20 Sep 50

0735 Hrs 0735 Hrs 20 Sep 50 20 Sep 50

0850 Hrs 0850 Hrs 20 Sep 50 20 Sep 50

SECRET

IfEADQUARTERS, 23d INFANTRY RiiXHNENT

\-TAR DIARY

AUTHORITY




ACTION REF. NO. -

Item Company came under small arms and machine gun A-3 fire as it neared its objective.

The Division Commander directed that the 1st and 2d A-3 Battalions not to cross the river until ordered to do so qy Division.

Regimental Commander was notified of the congratu- A-3 lations of the Commanding General, Eighth Army, to the Division Commander, on the succesv of recent operations.


20 Sep 50

An en~ prisoner was captured with a map in his A-3 possession showing the location of the 2d, 4th and 9th NKPA Division, in the vicinity of Sinban-Ni.


20 Sep 50

1210 Hrs 1210 Hrs Unit Journal 20 Sep 50 20 Sep 50 Entry #65,.

20 Sep 50

Love Company made radio contact with the enernw and asked them to surrender. The enemw reported that the,y would give their answer iri 24 hours.

King Company reached the 3d Battalion and the 3d Battalion prepared to move out toward Phase ·Line No. 2.

A-3

The Division Commander released the 1st Battalion A-3 to cross the Naktong River and gave the 23d Infan-try priority on the bridge in the 38th Infantry sector in order to move heavy vehicles across. By 1650 Hrs (Auth: Unit Journal Jntry #82, 20 Sep 50) Baker and Able Companies had crossed the river and Charlie Company was crossing.

200 1738 Hrs 1738 Hrs Unit Journal The 1st Battalion was instrticted to send 12 vehicles A-3 across the river on the ferry, in the 38th Infantry 20 Sep 50 20f(e 50 Entry #84, . ... o up 50

-Signature: '1/~ ~~k( sector. ·

SECRET Page 64

Korean W

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-00300111

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ENTRY NO.

Z)l

202

203

204

205

206

207

SECRET


WAR~

TIME OF ACTION

2000 Hrs 20 Sep 50

2100 Hrs 20 Sep 50

2125 Hrs 20 Sep 50

0300 Hrs 21 Sap 50

0735 Hrs 21 Sap 50

TlME RECORDID AUTHORITY


20 Sep 50


20 Sep 50


20 Sep 50

0300 Hrs Unit Journal 21 Sap 50 Entry #36,

21 Sap 50


21 Sep 50

0855 Hrs 0855 Hrs Unit Journal 2n: Sep 50 2il Sap 50 Entry #49,

21 Sap 50


21 Sap 50

ACTION

The lst Battalion completed the river crossing.

REF. E!Q.:._

A-3

The lst Battalion reported that Able CompaQY was well A-3 on its way to its objective and asked for permission to take a platoon of tanks across the bridge of the 38th sector.

The Division Commander authcrized the platoon of A-3 tanks and aQy other necessary items across the river. He furhher directed that the 2Jd advance one battalion, supported by tanks, to Sinban-Ni.

Baker Company was attacked by a small enemy force, A-3 however, the attack was contained.

The 1st Battalion was advancing, but Baker Company A-3 was held up by enemy; Baker Company repulsed three attacks during the night and by 0735 hrs. th~ were preparing to attack, Hill 207, the first objective.

Love Company was attacked b· approximately one com- A-3 pany of enemy. The 2d platoon, which was on the left flank, was driven off positions. The attack lasted for two hours, during which time the en~ made two "Banzai11 charges.

Love Company counterattacked in order to regain lost A-3 ground.

Signature: 1ft;£ I "tttc_ /Jr~ SECRET

Page 65

Korean W

ar Project 2ID

-00300112

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ENTRY NO.

208

209

210

211

212

213

SECRET

HEADQUARTERS, 23d INF .PJITRY REGIMENT

WAR DIARY

TIME OF TIJilE ACTION RECORDED AUTHORITY --..............

1209 Hrs 1209 Hrs Unit Journal 21 Sap 50 21 Sap 50 Entry #73,

21 Sep 50

1220 Hrs 1220 Hrs Unit Journal 21 Sep 50 21 Sep 50 Entry #7 4 &

75, 21 Sep 50

1415 Hrs l.4l5 Hrs Untt Journal 21 Sep 50 21 Sep 50 Entry #92,

21 Sep 50

--.ACTION

REF. JiQ,e.,, ..

The support platoon ·::·f Love Company and Item Company A-3 were committed in the counterattack. Regimental Commander ordered the 3d Battalion to continue attacking and to "rout the enemytt •

The 3d Battalion retoOk·~,_all the ground which it lost, A-3 and continued the attack. Eight artillery pieces were located in the 3d Battalion zone and reported to be a target for an air strike.

The 3d Battalion continued to advance and sent aggres- A-3 sive patrols to its own front.

1620 Hrs 1620 Hrs Unit Jour~al Item Company was atteched to the 1st Battalion. A-3 21 Sep 50 21 Sep 50 Entry #109, ·

· 21 Sep 50

---- ----- -----


22 Sep 50

At the end of the d~ both Battalioas had reached A-3 their objectives. The 1st Battalion had consolidated the bridgehead after repulsing the enemy counterattacks against Baker Company. At 1200 hrs. the 1st Battalion attacked and seized its objective. The 3d Battalio~, after stopping an enemy attack, had counterattacked, retaken all ground lost, and continued on to its objective. At the end of the period troops were dis-posed as shown on Annex 1, to Periodic Operations Re-port No. 26.

The 1st Battalion was ordered to continue to advance A-3 along the road; to pass through Sinban-Ni and to continue the attack on order. The 3d Battalion was to advance at first light, secure Hill 196, secure objective B and be reaqy to continue the advance on

Signature• o/4 Y~~ order. SECRET Page 66

Korean W

ar Project 2ID

-00300113

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215

216

217

218

219

SECRET


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TIME OF TI~ REF. ACTION RECORDED AUTHORITY ACTION HQ.._

0455 Hrs 0455 Hrs 22 Sep 50 22 Sep 50

0620 Hrs 0620 Hrs 22 Sep 50 22 Sep 50

0625 Hrs 0625 Hrs 22 Sep 50 22 Sep 50

0628 Hrs 062S Hrs 22 Sep 50 22 Sep 50

0650 Hrs 0650 Hrs 22 Sep 50 22 Sep 50



Unit Journal Entry #4S, 22 Sep 50


Unit Jom-nal Entry #53, 22 Sep 50

Baker Company was attacked b~r an undetermined number of enenzy-.

Baker Company's position was overrun when South Korean soldiers, attached to Baker Company, broke and fled in the front of the enemy force. Captain Steele, Commanding Officer of Baker Company, was killed while attempting to reorganize routed South Korean soldiers. (Auth: Unit Jom-nal Entry #56, 22 Sep 50).

A-3

A-3

The 1st Battalion requested a priority resupply of i A-3 ammunition. Charlie Company was also under attack and the South Korean soldiers attached to the co~ pany, routed in the face of the en~. (Auth: Unit Journal Entry #50, 22 Sep 50) •

Love and Xing Companies began the advance in the 3d A-3 Battalion zone.

The 2d Battalion was ordered to alert one company, A-3 (Fox) to move across the river.to the 1st Battalion sector. Fox Company reached the river at 1000 hrs and began the crossing at once. The first elements were across b,y 1035 hrs. and moved out at once for Able Company's sector.

Item Company was ordered to proceed to the 1st Batta- A-.3 lionsector immediate~.

0738 Hrs 0738 Hrs Unit Jom-nal 22 Sep 50 22 Sep 50 Entry #58,

22 Sep 50

Signature: '1(~ ~~('~ S: E C R:E.T Page 67

Korean W

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-00300114

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HEADQUARTERS, 2.3d INFANTRY REGIMENT

WAR~

ENTRY ...llih...

220

221.

222

223

224

TIM& OF TIME ACTION RECORDED AUTHORITY

0855 Hrs 0855 Hrs Unit Journal 22 sep 50 22 Sep 5o Enm #67,

22 Sep 50

lU5 Hrs 1145 Hrs Unit Journal 22 Sep 50 22 Sep 50 _Entry #91,

22 Sep 50

1420 Hrs 1420 Hrs Unit Journal 22 Sep 50 22-Sep 50 Entry #107,

22 Sep 50

1500 Hrs 1500 Hrs Unit Journal 22 Sep 50 22 Sep 50 Entry' #lll,

22 Sep 50

1510 Hrs 1510 Hrs Unit Journal 22 Sep 50 22 Sep 50 Entry #ll2,

22 Sep 50

225 1550 Hrs 1550 Hrs Unit Journal 22 Sep 50 22 Sep 50 Entry #117,

22 Sep 50

226 1850 Hrs 1850 Hrs Unit Journal 22 Sep 50 22 Sep 50 Entry #11,

2.3 Sep 50 and Periodic Re-

. ,() 1 / J_ ports No. 27 Signature: ~~r~~ ltf ';o28, 2.3 Sep

ACTION REF. ~

Charlie Company was still holding its positions. A-.3 Baker Compa~ recaptured its 60mm mortars (lost during early morning attack) and was moving forward slowly.

The 3d Battalion, 38th Infantry, reported that the,y A-3 were assisting the 1st Battalion, 23d Infantry, and that the en~ was pouring off the rear of Able Company's position.

The counterattack of the 1st Battalion, reinforced A-.3 by Item and Fox Companies, was progressing. Hill 245 was reported captured b-J Able Company at 1420 hrs.

The 3d Battalion attack was progressing against A-.3 little or no resistance.

Item Company prepared to assault Hill 272, upon A-.3 completion of an air strike. Baker Company was also preparing to assault Hill 286 from the Northeast. (Auth: Unit Journal Entry #11.3, 22 Sep 50) •

The 3d Battalion was ordered to hold their present A-3 positions, but to be ready to continue the advance on order. At 1630 brs., the Battalion was ordered to advance to the high ground in the vicinity of SinbanNi. (Auth: Unit Journal Jntry #122, 22 Sep 50).

Hills 272 and 286 proved to be held in force by the \ A-3 enemy, with approximately one enenzy- battalion on 1 & B each hill. The 1st Battalion was ordered to tie in in a strong perimeter, for the night. It was

SECRET Page 68

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-00300115

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ENTRY TIME OF TIME ~ ACTION RECORDED

226 Cont'd

227 0615 Hrs 0615 Hrs 23 Sep 50 23 Sep 50

228 1100 Hrs 1100 Hrs 23 Sep 50 23 Sep 50

SECRET

HEADQUARTERS, 23d INFANTRY REGJ1.1ENT

WAR DIARY

AUTHORITY ACTION

imperative that Hills 272 and 286 be reduced, since · the.y overlooked the road through the sector. It was established through interrogation of a PW, that the hills were held b,y elements of the 13th Regiment, 6th NKPA Division. At 2150 hrs. (Auth: Unit Journal, Entry #8, 23 Sep 50) the Regimental Commander ordered

REF. J!Q,_

that, on the morning of 23 September, the 2d Battalion will sweep wide and move in on Hill 272 from the rear. Heavy Mortar Company was attached to the 1st Battalion for this action. The 3d Battalion had taken the high ground in the vicinity of Sinban-Ni (Division Objec-tive B) and prepared to spend the night in that posi-tion • The remainder of the period was without in-cident.

Unit Journal A teh man reconnaissance patrol was dispatched to A-3 Entry #37, determine whether or not the ene~ was still on Hill 23 Sep 50 272. At 0945 hrs the patrol encountered heavy fire.

Periodic Re- Item Company captured Hill 272 at 1100 hrs., after B port No. 28 heavy fighting.

229 1230 Hrs 1230 Hrs Unit Journal The Commanding General ordered that the Regiment con- A-3 23 Sep 50 23 Sep 50 Entry #58, tinue its advance to the West to capture Division & B

23 Sep 50·& objective. After the capture of Hill 272 the 1st

Signature:

POR #28 Battalion was ordered to remain in position and secure the MSR. Item Company reverted to 3d Battalion control. The 2d Battalion was ordered to advance to the vicinity of Sinban-Ni and to secure the Division Objective B.

SECRET

111;gf~41'-f Page 69

Korean W

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-00300116

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ENTRY NO

230

231

232

233

234

SECRET

HEADQUARTERS, 23d INFANTRY RmiMENT

~DIARY

TIME OF TIME ACTION RBCORDED AUTHORITY


24 Sep 50, & Operations Order No. 11

0600 Hrs 0600 Hrs - - - - -24 Sep 50 24 Sep 50


24 Sep 50

0245 Hrs GZ4S Hrs Unit Journal 24 Sep 50 24 Sep 50 Entry #45,

24 Sep' 50


24 Sep 50

ACTION REF. !I2..t...

The 3d Battalion had reached a point 1000 yards from A-3 Division Objective D (Chengnyu) and was directed & C to hold until dawn. The Battalion had encountered light en~ resistance and sporadic mortar fire dur-ing the move. The Battalion was ordered to move on order to Division Objective E (Hyopchon). The 2d Battalion was directed to prepare to move to Divi-sion Objective D (Chongnyu) from Sinban-Ni at 0600 hrs., 24 September. The .1st Battalion was directed to be prepared to move on order to Division Objec-tive D.

The 2d Battalion began movement to Chon~ by shuttle.

The Division requested that the 23d send a patrol through Objective C to secure a bridgehead for the 9th Infantry river crossing and to mop up ene~ forces South of the 23d Infantry bridgehead. This mission was assigned to the 1st Battalion.

A-3

A-3

The 2d Battalion arrived at a position near the 3d A-3 Battalion, which was in the vicinity of Chong~. At this time the 3d Battalion was directed to advance and secure the gridge at Objective E (Hyopchon).

The 3d Battalion arrived in the vicinity of Hyopchon, A-3 Division Objective E and found the ene~ had destroyed a portion (approximately 120 feet) of the bridge. Seizure of Hyopchon was effected, against small but determined resistance •

SECRET

Signature: *.JL1~~ Page 70

---

Korean W

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-00300117

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ENTRY .1!2.:....

235

236

237

238

TIME OF TIME .ACTION RECORDED

1230 Hrs 1230 Hrs 24 Sep 50 24 Sep 50

SECRET

READQU.ARTERS, 23d INFANTRY REGIMENT

![!!1 PM!!

AUTHORITY

Unit Journal Entry #67 & 64, 24 Sep 50

ACTION REF. NO •

The 1st Battalion, moving south toward the proposed A-3 9th Infantry bridgehead, was ecnountering enemy resistance in the form of ene~ road blocks and mines. A PW stated that there was an enemy regiment between the 1st Battalion and the 9th Infantry. The Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion recommended that the 1st Battalion remain in that area until the pocket was cleared or until contact was made ;with the 9th. The Battalion was ordered to continue its advance to the proposed 9th Infantry bridgehead.

1750 Hrs 1750 Hrs Unit Journal 24 Sep 50 24 Sep 50 Entry #3 & 8,

25 Sep 50

The 1st Battalion reported that at 1710 hrs., it was A-3 in the process of taking a large ene~ position from the rear. Heavy weapons, A.T weapons, and field pieces were in position and pointed at the 9th Infantry sector. Ene~f casualties were: 150 killed, and 30 prisoners. During the afternoon the Battalion had also captured

1910 Hrs 1910 Hrs 24 Sep 50 24 Sep 50

2145 Hrs 2145 Hrs 24 Sep 50 24 Sep 50



a large ammunition dump, probably belonging to a Division. The 1st Battalion sweep to the Naktong, in the vicinity of the 9th Infantry bridgehead, was completed at 1930 hrs. Voice and visual contact were then established· with the 9th Infantry.

The Regimental Commander reported to Division that the 23d was prepared to continue the attack on order •

The 2d Battalion reported tha·t one of their patrols returning from a road reconnaissance had encountered an enemy vehicle (Russian jeep) containing seven ene~, and that the,y had killed 3, fatally wounded 1, and theee had escapted.

A-~

A-3

... () /,_;_ SECRET

Signature: 11_~ ~~~~ Page 71

Korean W

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-00300118

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2.39

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241

242

243

244

TIME OF TIM& .ACTION RECORDED

0025 Hrs 0025 Hrs 25 Sep 50 25 Sep 50

0915 Hrs 0915 Hrs 25 Sep 50 25 Sep 50

1600 Hrs 1600 Hrs 25 Sep 50 25 Sep 50

19/1) Hrs 19QJ Hrs 25 Sep 50 25 Sep 50

SECRET

HEADQUARTERS, 23d INF.Al.lTRY RIDIMFNT

WAR~

AUTHORITY

Unit Journal Entry 1/14, 25 Sep 50


-----


ACTION REF. NO.

The 1st Battalion completed the move from the A-3 Naktong to Sinban-Ni.

The 1st Battalion was directed to rejoin the Regi- A-3 ment.

The 23d Infantry was ordered to continue its west- A-3 ward advance from HYopchon to Anui; the movement began at 1600 hrs. The Regiments advance was spearheaded by the 3d Battalion.

The 1st Battalion arrived at Taemong-Ni. During the A-3 remainder of the period the Regiment continued to advance; at 1800 hrs. they met and dispersed a persistent group of apprijximately 300 enemy. The advance was slow due to difficult road conditions, and the del~ involved in removing en~ mines.

0500 Hrs 0500 Hrs Unit Journal 26 Sep 50 26 Sep 50 None

At 0500 hours the 23d Infantr.r after having marched A-3 40 miles during the night, made contact with the 38th Infantr,y elements, in the vicinity of Kochang and was directed to halt in place and give road clearance to the 38th. Resistance during the period 0001 to 0500 hrs. was light, with one group of approximately 120 ene~ encountered and dispersed. During the night it was necessar.y to improvise crossing across two blown out bridges.

0800 Hrs 0800 Hrs _Unit Journal 26 Sep 50 26 Sep 50 Entry #4 7,

26 Sep 50

The 23d Infantry was instructed to send one battalion A-3 combat team to destroy an ene~ group, reported to be enroute to seize Koryong.

Signature: 1;.£,f~tztk.( SECRET Page 72

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-00300119

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246

247

-248

249

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SECRET


WAR DIARY

TIME OF TIME ACTIO~ RECORDED AUTHORITY

1000 Hrs 1000 Hrs Unit Journal 26 Sep 50 26 Sep 50 None


26 Sep 50

---- -----26 Sep 50 26 Sep 50

27 Sep 50 27 Sep 50

0900 Hrs 28 Sep 50

0900 Hrs Unit Journal 28 Sep 50 Entry #28, &

30, 28 Sep 50

REF. ACTION !2:_

The 1st Battalion reinforced by Charlie Company, 72d Tank Battalion and Ab1'3 Battery, 37th Field Artillery was detached from the 23d Infantry and placed directly under 2d Divisioq control.

A-3

The 1st Battalion reported that they had cleared a A-3 pass, in which an ambush had occurred earlier in the d~. Ten friendly dead and one soldier still alive, were found on the position.

At 1630 hrs. the 23d Infantry minus the 1st Batts- A-3 lion, was directed to continue its advance en Anui. The Regiment reached Anui, fourteen miles away, at 1930 hrs. Immediately upon arrival, patrols were sent out to determine the location of possible en~.

At approximately 0400 hrs., enenzy- ~ortar and artillery fire began falling on Anui. The second round to fall, resu.ted in the death of the Battalion Executive Officer, the S-2, Assistant S-3, Mortar Officer, Artillery Liaison Officer, and an AA Officer, in the 3d Battalion Command Post. The Battalion Commander and 25 enlisted men were wounded during the barrage.

During the remainder of the period, the Regiment continued aggressive patrolling and mopping-up in the vicinity of Anui and Kochang.

The 3d Battalion was directed to prepare to move to Kochang and secure that area. The 2d Battalion was directed to redispose its forces to secure the town of Anui, upon depaDture of the 3d Battalion. The 3d Battalion departed for Kochang at 1430 hrs. and was in position by 1825 hrs.

A-3

Signature: "1t~f~4~ SECRET Page 73

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-00300120

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250

251

252

TIME OF ACTION

TIME RECORDED

0930 Hrs 0930 Hrs 28 Sep 50 28 Sep 50

29 Sep 50 29 Sep 50

SECRET

HEADQUARTERS, 23d INFANI'RY RIDIMENT

WAR DIARY

AUTHORITY

Unit Journal Entry #30, & 37, 28 Sep 50, & POR No. 33

ACTION REF. ~

A second Battalion patrol was dispatched to the A-3 South and made contact with elements of the 25th & B Division at 1025 Hrs.

During the period, the lst Battalion, which had A-3 been under the pentrol of Headquarters, 2d Division since 1000 hrs., 26 September, with the mission of eliminating elements of the lOth NKPA Division, which was attempting to reassemble in the vicinity of Koryong, returned to Regimental control, arriving at Kochang at 1610 hrs.

0600 Hrs 29 Sep 50

0600 Hrs Unit Journal The .2d Battalion sent a patrol to investigate re- A-3 29 Sep 50 Entry #41, ports of enemy- activity in a nearby village. The

29 Sep 50 patrol was fired upon b.Y an ~nemy force of approximately 15 men. Two enemy were captured and the remainder fled. Throughout the period routine 2d Battalion patrols captured approximately 40 prisoners.

253 1600 Hrs 1600 Hrs Operations Pursuant to Division orders, extending the zone pf C 29 Sep 50 29 Sep 50 Order No. responsibility o~ the 23d to Chongju, the Regimen-

13 tal Commander ordered the 3d Battalion to move to Chinan; The 1st Battalion to remain at Koryang during the night 29-30 September and to move to ChokeiRi on 30 September; The 2d Battalion was ordered to remain at Anui. All Battalions were ordered to patrol

_extensively within the zone and to destroy all ene~ encountered. The Regimental Commend Post was ordered to move to Chinen. There was no other significant activity during the period.

Signature• t-/1 Jn ~~~.It(; t'-/fJ:/ E T · Page 74

Korean W

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-00300121

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254

TIME OF ACTION

TIME:

SECRET

HEADQUARTERS, 23d INFANI'RY RIDIMENT

~DIARY

RECORDED AUTHORITY ACTION REF. NO.

30 Sep 50 30 Sep 50 POR No. 35 ~

The 1st Battalion reached Chokei-Ri at 1445 hrs; the B 3d Battalion reached Chinan at 0400 hours. All Battalions conducted constant patrol activity in their sectors. At 1900 hrs. a 3d Battalion patrol operating North of Chinan reported that it had met groups of approximately 30 enemy. These enemy groups were en-gaged and fled after suffering peavy casualties. Three enemy tanks were captured and rendered immobile. Another patrol operating southwest of Chinan made contact with elements of the 25th Division. The patrol also captured 25 enemy without a fire fight.

Signature• 11~~~"" b")i/-'1 8 E 0 RET Page 75