50 years ago today - 18 Sep 1950

[Ed Evanhoe <ede@oio.net>]

September 18

  Between 2 AM and dawn the 5th Marines repulsed several company sized 
counterattacks on the airfield, inflicting heavy casualties on the 
attackers.  The entire airfield was secured by 8 AM and elements of the 
5th  Marines advanced toward Hill 99 on the south bank of the Han River, 
which they captured.  That afternoon a lone Marine Corsair landed on Kimpo 
airfield followed a few hours later by elements of the 33rd Marine 
airgroup.  Meanwhile, during the evening, ROK Marines moved up to take 
positions alongside the 5th Marines.

At dawn the 1st Marines passed through and around the burning town of Sosa, 
seizing Hill 123, a mile east and north, by noon.  That afternoon the 1st 
Marines began receiving heavy artillery fire from the Southeast, inflicting 
heavy casualties.  Despite the losses, the 1st Marines continued their 
advance toward Yongdongp’o.

Meanwhile, the 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, landed at 
Inchon.  As soon as the regiment landed it began moving toward 1st Marines 
positions on the Seoul highway.

Within the Pusan Perimeter, patrols from the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, 38th 
Infantry, 2nd Division, crossed the Naktong near Pugong-ni, due west of 
Changnyong, finding the high ground on the west side of the river clear of 
enemy troops.  As soon as the 38th Infantry Regiment received this word is 
moved its 2nd Battalion across the river.  By evening the 2nd battalion 
occupied Hill 308, a mile west of the Naktong.  Meanwhile, the 5th RCT 
started its attack against Hill 268, a mile southeast of Waegwan, securing 
this high ground by late afternoon with the exception of the Hill’s 
northeast corner.

As the 5th RCT advanced, the 5th and 7th Cavalry Regiments fought bloody 
battles against enemy positions to the north and east of Waegwan on Hills 
174, 188, 253 & 903 (Ka-San) while the 8th Cavalry Regiment tried to 
advance up the Tabu-dong road.  All attempts were stopped cold in all 1st 
Cavalry sectors with heavy casualties on the American side.  However, to 
the east of the 1st Cavalry Division the 1st ROK Division found a gap in 
North Korean lines, pressed their advance and ended up astride the 
Tabu-dong–Kunwi road 10 miles northeast of Tabu-dong.

In the Masan area the 27th Infantry tank-infantry battalion-tank task force 
again attacked Battle Mountain, again without success.

At Changsa-dong on the east coast, survivors from the Miryang Guerrilla 
Battalion were pulled off the beach by U.S. Navy landing craft and the 
beached LST destroyed by explosives.

Ed Evanhoe, PO Box 916, Antlers, OK, 74523
Author: DARKMOON: Eighth Army Special Operations in the Korean War
Member:  American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA)
Life Member: Special Forces & Special Operations Associations
Web site:  http://www.korean-war.com